Steel 17CrNiMo6
EN 17CrNiMo6
17CrNiMo6 (material number 1.6587, current designation 18CrNiMo7-6) is a Cr-Ni-Mo case-hardening steel with high hardenability and good core toughness: after carburizing and quenching the surface reaches 58-62 HRC while the core retains roughly 850-1000 MPa yield strength.
Values for the Annealed condition
17CrNiMo6 tempers and conditions
17CrNiMo6 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Treated to ferrite-pearlite structure | Choose when a controlled ferrite-pearlite structure at about 175 HB is needed for consistent cutting behaviour and good machined surface quality on precision gear blanks. | 390 | 620 | 22 | 175 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault soft annealed (≤229 HB), machining condition | Pick the usual supply state — soft annealed bar or forgings at ≤229 HB — for rough turning and gear hobbing before carburizing and quenching to the final case hardness. | 430 | 700 | 20 | 200 HB | — |
Treated to a specified hardness range | Use when bar is ordered to an agreed hardness band near 205 HB, so dimensions and tool life stay predictable on automated turning lines in volume production. | 450 | 720 | 18 | 205 HB | 8 % IACS |
Treated for shearability | Pick for cold shear cut-off and cold forging or upsetting, where the softening treatment for shearability prepares bar stock at about 225 HB for gear blank forging. | 480 | 780 | 16 | 20 HRC | 8 % IACS |
normalized bar/forging | Choose after forging to refine and homogenize the structure at about 260 HB; use as an intermediate state before rough machining, quench and temper, or carburizing. | 560 | 880 | 15 | 26 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Hot Rolled / as-rolled (+U, untreated) | Pick the untreated as-rolled bar as the cheapest starting stock only when forging or a full heat-treatment cycle follows, since 270 HB makes machining more difficult. | 560 | 900 | 14 | 27 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Carburized, hardened & tempered | Choose as the final service condition: carburized, hardened and tempered to a 58–62 HRC case over a tough core for heavy gear flank contact and tooth-root bending fatigue. | 900 | 1,200 | 9 | 60 HRC | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 17CrNiMo6 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Q&T Blank Hardened <=16mm | Blank hardened + tempered, core properties d ≤ 16 mm | Supply form |
Q&T Blank Hardened 16-40mm | Blank hardened + tempered, core properties 16 < d ≤ 40 mm | Supply form |
Q&T Blank Hardened 40-100mm | Blank hardened + tempered, core properties 40 < d ≤ 100 mm | Supply form |
What is 17CrNiMo6?
17CrNiMo6 (material number 1.6587, current designation 18CrNiMo7-6) is a Cr-Ni-Mo case-hardening steel with high hardenability and good core toughness: after carburizing and quenching the surface reaches 58-62 HRC while the core retains roughly 850-1000 MPa yield strength. It is supplied as bar, forging stock and gear blanks for heavy-duty gears, wind turbine gearbox pinion shafts, large-module ring gears, and mining and marine reducer parts. Weldability is poor (preheat and post-heat needed), the grade depends on a carburize-and-gear-grind process chain, and it has no corrosion resistance, so painting or oil sealing is required. 17CrNiMo6 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). 17CrNiMo6 has a yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 51% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 17CrNiMo6 used for?
- Gears
- Industrial drive shafts
- Pins
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
17CrNiMo6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 17CrNiMo6-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
17CrNiMo6 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical14
17CrNiMo6 has a yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 51% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
17CrNiMo6 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 38 W/m·K (22 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 69% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
17CrNiMo6 conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 17CrNiMo6 takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
17CrNiMo6's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (40/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 17CrNiMo6 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 17CrNiMo6
Is 17CrNiMo6 easy to machine?
In the annealed condition (≤229 HB) turn, mill and hob normally with coated carbide; after carburizing and quenching only grinding or CBN hard turning is practical.
Can 17CrNiMo6 be welded?
Poor weldability: high carbon equivalent and cold-cracking sensitivity require 250-350 °C preheat, low-hydrogen consumables and prompt post-heat for hydrogen removal; do not weld in carburized areas.
Can 17CrNiMo6 be formed, bent or molded?
Suited to hot forging and hot rolling at 1100-1250 °C, followed by normalizing or annealing; cold formability is limited to cold shearing and light upsetting/extrusion in the +S condition.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 17CrNiMo6. Every 17CrNiMo6 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better50 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better30 / 100 |
17CrNiMo6 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C0.15–0.20 per DIN 17210 (17CrNiMo6); 0.15–0.21 per EN 10084 (18CrNiMo7-6) | 0.15 – 0.21 | 0.18 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn0.40–0.60 per old DIN 17210; 0.50–0.90 per EN 10084 | 0.4 – 0.9 | 0.65 |
| P≤0.035 per older DIN | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Scontrolled-S variants 0.020–0.035 for machinability | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Cr | 1.5 – 1.8 | 1.65 |
| Ni | 1.4 – 1.7 | 1.55 |
| Mo | 0.25 – 0.35 | 0.3 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 17CrNiMo6?
Cannot be anodized. Usual route is gear grinding plus shot peening to raise root fatigue strength, then black oxide, phosphating or rust-preventive oil; non-tooth surfaces can be zinc-nickel plated or painted.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 17CrNiMo6 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.6587
How much does 17CrNiMo6 cost?
17CrNiMo6 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
17CrNiMo6 — frequently asked
What is 17CrNiMo6 used for?
17CrNiMo6 is typically used for gears, industrial drive shafts and pins. In short: premium carburizing gear steel.
What is the yield strength of 17CrNiMo6?
17CrNiMo6 has a typical yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 51% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 17CrNiMo6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades). In the annealed condition (≤229 HB) turn, mill and hob normally with coated carbide; after carburizing and quenching only grinding or CBN hard turning is practical.
Can 17CrNiMo6 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Poor weldability: high carbon equivalent and cold-cracking sensitivity require 250-350 °C preheat, low-hydrogen consumables and prompt post-heat for hydrogen removal; do not weld in carburized areas.
What surface finishes work on 17CrNiMo6?
Cannot be anodized. Usual route is gear grinding plus shot peening to raise root fatigue strength, then black oxide, phosphating or rust-preventive oil; non-tooth surfaces can be zinc-nickel plated or painted.
Can 17CrNiMo6 be formed, bent or molded?
Suited to hot forging and hot rolling at 1100-1250 °C, followed by normalizing or annealing; cold formability is limited to cold shearing and light upsetting/extrusion in the +S condition.
What is the maximum service temperature of 17CrNiMo6?
17CrNiMo6 is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 17CrNiMo6 cost?
17CrNiMo6 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 17CrNiMo6?
Yes — 17CrNiMo6 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 10084 — Case hardening steels: technical delivery conditions — CEN (2008)
- DIN 17210 (withdrawn) — Case hardening steels (17CrNiMo6) — DIN (1987)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4A — Steel Heat Treating Fundamentals (carburizing) — ASM International (2013)
- 18CrNiMo7-6 / 1.6587 gear steel datasheet — Ovako / Böhler-Deutschland (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.