Steel 20MnCrS5 · supply condition · default condition
Steel 20MnCrS5-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other 20MnCrS5 tempers.
Standard stock form for gear-blank forging or rough machining before carburizing.
What is 20MnCrS5-HR?
20MnCrS5-HR is 20MnCrS5 supplied in the HR condition — standard stock form for gear-blank forging or rough machining before carburizing. 20MnCrS5-HR has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 20MnCrS5-HR 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).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 60/100, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
20MnCrS5-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 20MnCrS5-HR — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 20MnCrS5 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
20MnCrS5-HR 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).
Mechanical16
20MnCrS5-HR has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
20MnCrS5-HR is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 44 W/m·K (25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
20MnCrS5-HR 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 20MnCrS5-HR takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — more than 55% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
20MnCrS5-HR's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability fair (48/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 20MnCrS5 tempers and conditions
20MnCrS5 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 20MnCrS5 overview.
- HRDefaultStandard stock form for gear-blank forging or rough machining before carburizing.450 MPa yield · 200 HB
- Q&TReference core condition after 860–900 °C oil quench and low temper — the strength the carburized part's core reaches.800 MPa yield · 36 HRC
- CHFinal service condition for gears and splines: 58–62 HRC wear-resistant case over a tough 30–42 HRC core.800 MPa yield · 60 HRC
- CDChoose for close tolerance, bright bar going straight to CNC turning of small shafts and pins.620 MPa yield · 230 HB
- AC-CSpheroidize-annealed then cold-drawn 1.7149 bright bar: raised strength and close tolerances with good chip control from the sulfur addition.500 MPa yield · 185 HB
- NormalizedUse to homogenise forgings and refine grain before carburizing; uniform machinability and low distortion.440 MPa yield · 195 HB
- AnnealedPick for heavy chip removal, cold extrusion or hobbing before carburizing; guaranteed max hardness per EN 10084.370 MPa yield · 180 HB
- ACSoft spheroidize-annealed 1.7149 bar/wire with globular carbides for maximum cold-formability and low tool wear before carburizing.320 MPa yield · 150 HB
Working with 20MnCrS5-HR
Is 20MnCrS5 easy to machine?
Best turned/hobbed in the soft-annealed (≤217 HB) state; the 0.02–0.04 % S gives short chips and ~10 % better tool life than 20MnCr5, but finish carburized surfaces need grinding.
Can 20MnCrS5 be welded?
Weldable only with care — preheat ~200–250 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relief; sulfur raises hot-cracking risk, so avoid welding on carburized zones.
Can 20MnCrS5 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold extrusion and upsetting are practical after spheroidise annealing; hot forge at 1100–1150 °C and normalize afterwards to control grain size before carburizing.
What surface finishes work on 20MnCrS5?
No corrosion resistance as-machined — protect with oil, manganese phosphate, zinc or Zn-Ni plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement); shot peening after case hardening markedly raises bending fatigue.
20MnCrS5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.17 – 0.22 | 0.2 |
| Simax per EN 10084 | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 1.1 – 1.4 | 1.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Sdeliberate S addition for machinability (the 'S' in the grade name) | 0.02 – 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Cr | 1 – 1.3 | 1.15 |
| Fe | balance | — |
20MnCrS5-HR — frequently asked
What is 20MnCrS5-HR used for?
20MnCrS5-HR is typically used for gears, shafts and pins. In short: carburizing Cr-Mn-S bar.
What is the yield strength of 20MnCrS5-HR?
20MnCrS5-HR has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 53% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 20MnCrS5-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades). Best turned/hobbed in the soft-annealed (≤217 HB) state; the 0.02–0.04 % S gives short chips and ~10 % better tool life than 20MnCr5, but finish carburized surfaces need grinding.
Can 20MnCrS5-HR be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Weldable only with care — preheat ~200–250 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relief; sulfur raises hot-cracking risk, so avoid welding on carburized zones.
What surface finishes work on 20MnCrS5-HR?
No corrosion resistance as-machined — protect with oil, manganese phosphate, zinc or Zn-Ni plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement); shot peening after case hardening markedly raises bending fatigue.
Can 20MnCrS5-HR be formed, bent or molded?
Cold extrusion and upsetting are practical after spheroidise annealing; hot forge at 1100–1150 °C and normalize afterwards to control grain size before carburizing.
What is the maximum service temperature of 20MnCrS5-HR?
20MnCrS5-HR is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 20MnCrS5-HR and 20MnCrS5-CH?
HR is the default condition — standard stock form for gear-blank forging or rough machining before carburizing. CH: final service condition for gears and splines: 58–62 HRC wear-resistant case over a tough 30–42 HRC core. Yield strength is 450 MPa in HR versus 800 MPa in CH.
Can FabDigit make parts in 20MnCrS5-HR?
Yes — 20MnCrS5-HR is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 10084 — Case hardening steels: technical delivery conditions — CEN (2008)
- EN 10277 / EN 10083 related bright bar and heat-treatment delivery conditions — CEN (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (carburizing of Mn-Cr steels) — ASM International (1991)
- Case hardening steel 20MnCr5 / 20MnCrS5 (1.7147/1.7149) datasheet — Deutsche Edelstahlwerke / Ovako (2021)
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.