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Steel 20CrMo · supply condition

Steel 20CrMo-CD

Properties of the CD condition, compared with the other 20CrMo tempers.

Pick for precision-diameter shafting and screw-machine work where higher yield and better surface are wanted without heat treatment.

CNC machiningSheet metalStandard cost $$

What is 20CrMo-CD?

20CrMo-CD is 20CrMo supplied in the CD condition — pick for precision-diameter shafting and screw-machine work where higher yield and better surface are wanted without heat treatment. 20CrMo-CD has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 20CrMo-CD has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CD is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 90% of steel grades
  • Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
  • High strength — 620 MPa (89.9 ksi), better than 78% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 11%, worse than 89% of steel grades

20CrMo-CD properties

Typical room-temperature values for 20CrMo-CD — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 20CrMo temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.

Physical3

20CrMo-CD has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,500°C2,732 °F

Mechanical13

20CrMo-CD has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)780 MPa113 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)620 MPa89.9 ksi
Elongation at Break11%
Reduction in Area40%
Shear Strength420 MPa60.9 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)350 MPa50.8 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)40 J29.5 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell230 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B93 HRB

Thermal6

20CrMo-CD is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)500°C932 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical2

20CrMo-CD has an electrical resistivity of 2.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity2.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.06 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.

Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended13/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in moist air and water; no resistance to acids or chlorides. Slightly better high-temperature oxidation and hydrogen-attack resistance than plain carbon steel thanks to Cr+Mo; needs paint, oiling, phosphating or plating in service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 20CrMo-CD takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 55% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.3 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

20CrMo-CD's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability good (62/100); formability fair (35/100).

MachinabilityGood62/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)65%
WeldabilityGood62/100
Formability (cold)Fair35/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood60/100
PolishabilityGood60/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use phosphating, black oxide, zinc/nickel plating or paint

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.

Other 20CrMo tempers and conditions

20CrMo is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 20CrMo overview.

Working with 20CrMo-CD

Is 20CrMo easy to machine?

Machines like 4118/4130 — best in annealed or normalized state (~60 % of AISI 1212); carbide tooling, rigid setup and flood coolant above 280 HB.

Can 20CrMo be welded?

Weldable with low-hydrogen or matching Cr-Mo filler; preheat 150–250 °C for thick or Q&T parts and post-weld temper at 620–680 °C to avoid HAZ hardening/cracking.

Can 20CrMo be formed, bent or molded?

Cold form only in annealed condition with generous radii; hot forge 1150–850 °C followed by normalizing or annealing to restore grain size.

What surface finishes work on 20CrMo?

No natural corrosion resistance — specify phosphate+oil, black oxide, zinc, zinc-nickel or QPQ nitrocarburizing; takes a good polish after Q&T.

20CrMo 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
C0.17 – 0.240.2
Si0.17 – 0.370.27
Mn0.4 – 0.70.55
Cr0.8 – 1.10.95
Mo0.15 – 0.250.2
Niresidual≤ 0.3
Curesidual≤ 0.25
P≤ 0.03
S≤ 0.03
Febalance

20CrMo-CD — frequently asked

What is 20CrMo-CD used for?

20CrMo-CD is typically used for carburized gears and pinions, industrial drive shafts, bolts and studs, splined couplings and yokes, camshafts and rocker pins and pump and gearbox spindles. In short: workhorse chrome-moly bar.

What is the yield strength of 20CrMo-CD?

20CrMo-CD has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is 20CrMo-CD easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machines like 4118/4130 — best in annealed or normalized state (~60 % of AISI 1212); carbide tooling, rigid setup and flood coolant above 280 HB.

Can 20CrMo-CD be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (62/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen or matching Cr-Mo filler; preheat 150–250 °C for thick or Q&T parts and post-weld temper at 620–680 °C to avoid HAZ hardening/cracking.

What surface finishes work on 20CrMo-CD?

No natural corrosion resistance — specify phosphate+oil, black oxide, zinc, zinc-nickel or QPQ nitrocarburizing; takes a good polish after Q&T.

Can 20CrMo-CD be formed, bent or molded?

Cold form only in annealed condition with generous radii; hot forge 1150–850 °C followed by normalizing or annealing to restore grain size.

What is the maximum service temperature of 20CrMo-CD?

20CrMo-CD is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between 20CrMo-HR and 20CrMo-CD?

HR is the default condition — most-stocked mill condition for bar, seamless tube and plate; machine then heat treat as required. CD: pick for precision-diameter shafting and screw-machine work where higher yield and better surface are wanted without heat treatment. Yield strength is 450 MPa in HR versus 620 MPa in CD.

Can FabDigit make parts in 20CrMo-CD?

Yes — 20CrMo-CD is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. GB/T 3077 Alloy structural steelsSAC (China) (2015)
  2. GB/T 8162 Seamless steel tubes for structural purposesSAC (China) (2018)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, SteelsASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.4: Heat TreatingASM International (1991)
  5. Chinese alloy structural steel property tables (20CrMo / 4118 equivalence) (2016)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.