Steel 20NiCrMo2-2
EN 20NiCrMo2-2 · GB 20CrNiMo
20NiCrMo2-2 (1.6523) is a low-alloy Ni-Cr-Mo carburizing steel and the European counterpart to SAE 8620, used where a hard carburized case is needed over a tough, moderately strong core.
Reference datasheet — 20NiCrMo2-2 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the +FP condition
20NiCrMo2-2 tempers and conditions
20NiCrMo2-2 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. +FP is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Pick for maximum softness/ductility before cold forming, deep drawing or cold heading of blanks that will later be carburized. | 320 | 510 | 24 | 160 HB | — |
+FPDefault Treated to ferrite-pearlite structure | Standard machining stock for carburized gears: uniform F-P microstructure gives repeatable cutting and low distortion in the later carburize cycle. | 355 | 580 | 20 | 165 HB | — |
Normalized | Normalizing refines grain and homogenizes forged or hot-rolled stock before rough machining and carburizing. | 360 | 630 | 26 | 183 HB | — |
Treated to a specified hardness range | Choose when the shop needs a narrow as-delivered hardness window for CNC/broaching productivity rather than a defined microstructure. | 400 | 640 | 17 | 11 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Treated for cold shearing | Delivery condition for coil/bar that will be cold sheared or cropped into blanks without cracking. | 420 | 600 | 16 | 11 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Spheroidized annealed then cold drawn | Bright cold-drawn bar: tight tolerance and higher as-delivered strength for automatic-lathe parts (pins, shafts) that need little pre-machining. | 550 | 660 | 11 | 200 HB | — |
Hardenability-controlled bar, hardened and tempered | Order +H when the Jominy band must be guaranteed; values here are for the direct-hardened and low-tempered condition (core of a carburized part or a through-hardened small section). | 800 | 1,100 | 12 | 36 HRC | — |
Carburized, quenched and low-temperature tempered | The end-use condition: 0.4–1.5 mm case at 58–62 HRC over a tough 30–40 HRC core for gear teeth, splines and cam followers. | 850 | 1,150 | 10 | 60 HRC | — |
What is 20NiCrMo2-2?
20NiCrMo2-2 (1.6523) is a low-alloy Ni-Cr-Mo carburizing steel and the European counterpart to SAE 8620, used where a hard carburized case is needed over a tough, moderately strong core. In the soft supplied condition it gives 355 MPa yield, 580 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation and about 165 HB (85 HRB), with service to 350 °C, in bar, tube and forged blank form. The carburized case reaches about 60 HRC and must be ground rather than cut, the steel has no corrosion resistance, and it must not be welded after case hardening. For deeper cases or larger sections, 20MnNiCrMo3-2 or 18CrNiMo7-6 are the usual step up. 20NiCrMo2-2 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). 20NiCrMo2-2 has a yield strength of 355 MPa (51.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — weaker than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is 20NiCrMo2-2 used for?
- Gears
- Shafts
- Pins
- Carburized machine parts
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
20NiCrMo2-2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 20NiCrMo2-2-+FP; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
20NiCrMo2-2 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
20NiCrMo2-2 has a yield strength of 355 MPa (51.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — weaker than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
20NiCrMo2-2 is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 44 W/m·K (25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.6 µm/m·K (6.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
20NiCrMo2-2 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 20NiCrMo2-2 takes about 31 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
20NiCrMo2-2's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability good (55/100).
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. 20NiCrMo2-2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 20NiCrMo2-2
Is 20NiCrMo2-2 easy to machine?
Machines well in +FP/+TH at ~65 % of AISI 1212 — carbide inserts, 120–180 m/min turning; leave 0.2–0.4 mm grinding stock for post-carburizing finishing since the 60 HRC case must be ground, not cut.
Can 20NiCrMo2-2 be welded?
Weldable before carburizing with low-hydrogen consumables, 150–250 °C preheat and stress relief; never weld a carburized surface (case cracking, hydrogen embrittlement).
Can 20NiCrMo2-2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold head, roll or upset in the +AC spheroidized condition; hot forge 1100–1200 °C, finish above 900 °C, then normalize or isothermally anneal before machining.
20NiCrMo2-2 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 – 0.23 | 0.2 |
| Simax per EN 10084 | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 0.95 | 0.8 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Smax; 0.020–0.040 for machinability grade +S variants | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Cr | 0.35 – 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Mo | 0.15 – 0.25 | 0.2 |
| Ni | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 20NiCrMo2-2?
No natural corrosion protection — phosphate + oil, black oxide, zinc or zinc-nickel plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement above 30 HRC); shot peening after carburizing raises gear tooth bending fatigue significantly.
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 20NiCrMo2-2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 20NiCrMo2-2 cost?
20NiCrMo2-2 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
20NiCrMo2-2 — frequently asked
What is 20NiCrMo2-2 used for?
20NiCrMo2-2 is typically used for gears, shafts, pins and carburized machine parts. In short: european 8620 equivalent; workhorse carburizing steel; good soft-state machinability.
What is the yield strength of 20NiCrMo2-2?
20NiCrMo2-2 has a typical yield strength of 355 MPa (51.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — weaker than 73% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 20NiCrMo2-2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machines well in +FP/+TH at ~65 % of AISI 1212 — carbide inserts, 120–180 m/min turning; leave 0.2–0.4 mm grinding stock for post-carburizing finishing since the 60 HRC case must be ground, not cut.
Can 20NiCrMo2-2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weldable before carburizing with low-hydrogen consumables, 150–250 °C preheat and stress relief; never weld a carburized surface (case cracking, hydrogen embrittlement).
What surface finishes work on 20NiCrMo2-2?
No natural corrosion protection — phosphate + oil, black oxide, zinc or zinc-nickel plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement above 30 HRC); shot peening after carburizing raises gear tooth bending fatigue significantly.
Can 20NiCrMo2-2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold head, roll or upset in the +AC spheroidized condition; hot forge 1100–1200 °C, finish above 900 °C, then normalize or isothermally anneal before machining.
What is the maximum service temperature of 20NiCrMo2-2?
20NiCrMo2-2 is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 20NiCrMo2-2 cost?
20NiCrMo2-2 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
Sources
- EN 10084 — Case hardening steels: technical delivery conditions — CEN (2008)
- SAE J404 / J1268 — Chemical compositions and hardenability of SAE alloy steels (8620/8620H) — SAE International (2020)
- GB/T 3077 — Alloy structural steels (20CrNiMo) — SAC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4A — Steel Heat Treating Fundamentals and Processes (carburizing) — ASM International (2013)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- Case-hardening steel 1.6523 / 20NiCrMo2-2 bar datasheet — European special-steel producers (e.g. Ovako / Deutsche Edelstahlwerke) (2022)
- 20CrNiMo — Mysteel / SMM / 1688 (2025)
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.