Steel 20NiCrMoS2-2
EN 20NiCrMoS2-2
20NiCrMoS2-2 (1.6526) is the resulfurized, free-machining version of 20NiCrMo2-2 (8620), with 0.02–0.04 % sulfur added as manganese sulfide to break chips on automatic lathes.
Reference datasheet — 20NiCrMoS2-2 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 +AC condition
20NiCrMoS2-2 tempers and conditions
20NiCrMoS2-2 is supplied in 10 conditions, soft to hard. +AC is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+ACDefault Spheroidize annealed | Default machining/cold-forming stock: softest condition, best tool life and deep-drilling behaviour before carburizing. | 330 | 510 | 24 | 160 HB | — |
Treated for shearability | Choose for cold-sheared blanks feeding cold heading or upsetting lines. | 350 | 540 | 22 | 170 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
Treated to ferrite–pearlite structure and hardness range | Pick for consistent chip control and surface finish on CNC/auto-lathe turning before carburizing. | 360 | 560 | 20 | 175 HB | — |
Treated to a specified hardness range | Order when the mill must guarantee an as-delivered Brinell window for automated machining lines. | 370 | 560 | 20 | 12 HRC | 8.5 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Cheapest mill condition; buy when you will normalize or anneal in-house before machining. | 400 | 620 | 18 | 190 HB | — |
Spheroidize annealed then cold drawn | Bright, close-tolerance bar for high-volume screw-machine work where straightness and finish matter. | 530 | 660 | 12 | 200 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Standard bright bar when tight diameter tolerance is needed but full spheroidizing is not specified. | 560 | 690 | 11 | 17 HRC | 8.4 % IACS |
Restricted hardenability, lower half of the Jominy band | Use for thin, distortion-sensitive parts where lower core hardness and less quench cracking are wanted. | 620 | 880 | 13 | 59 HRC | 8.2 % IACS |
Guaranteed hardenability band (Jominy); properties after carburize,… | Specify +H when the finished part is carburized and case depth/core strength must be repeatable batch to batch. | 680 | 950 | 11 | 60 HRC | 42 W/m·K |
Restricted hardenability, upper half of the Jominy band | Order for thick sections or when a fully martensitic core is required after oil quenching. | 740 | 1,030 | 10 | 60 HRC | 8 % IACS |
What is 20NiCrMoS2-2?
20NiCrMoS2-2 (1.6526) is the resulfurized, free-machining version of 20NiCrMo2-2 (8620), with 0.02–0.04 % sulfur added as manganese sulfide to break chips on automatic lathes. In the soft condition it provides 330 MPa yield, 510 MPa tensile, 24 % elongation and about 160 HB (84 HRB), with service to 400 °C, and is supplied mainly as cold-drawn and hot-rolled bar for high-volume turned parts. The sulfides lower transverse ductility and toughness, raise hot-cracking risk in welding, and show as stringers on polished faces. Use plain 20NiCrMo2-2 where weld quality, transverse properties or a mirror finish matter. 20NiCrMoS2-2 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). 20NiCrMoS2-2 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 208 GPa (30.2 Msi).
What is 20NiCrMoS2-2 used for?
- Machined carburized gears
- Automotive shafts
- Automatic-lathe components
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 66/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 86% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low strength — 330 MPa (47.9 ksi), worse than 78% of steel grades
20NiCrMoS2-2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 20NiCrMoS2-2-+AC; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
20NiCrMoS2-2 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).
Mechanical16
20NiCrMoS2-2 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 208 GPa (30.2 Msi).
Thermal6
20NiCrMoS2-2 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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
20NiCrMoS2-2 conducts electricity at 8.5 % IACS, better than 63% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 20NiCrMoS2-2 takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
20NiCrMoS2-2's machinability is good (66/100, better than 95% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability very good (70/100).
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. 20NiCrMoS2-2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 20NiCrMoS2-2
Is 20NiCrMoS2-2 easy to machine?
Excellent for high-volume turning in +AC/+AC+C — MnS breaks chips; run coated carbide at ~180–250 m/min, and finish-grind after carburizing since the hardened case is essentially unmachinable.
Can 20NiCrMoS2-2 be welded?
Weldable in the soft condition with 100–200 °C preheat and low-hydrogen consumables, but the 0.02–0.04 % S raises hot-cracking risk; avoid welding carburized or hardened zones.
Can 20NiCrMoS2-2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold heads and bends acceptably in +AC (bend radius ≥1.5×t, longitudinal only); hot forge at 1100–1150 °C then normalize at 880–920 °C before machining.
20NiCrMoS2-2 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 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.65 – 0.95 | 0.8 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Sdeliberately resulfurized for machinability | 0.02 – 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Cr | 0.35 – 0.65 | 0.5 |
| Mo | 0.15 – 0.25 | 0.2 |
| Ni | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 20NiCrMoS2-2?
No anodizing (ferrous) — protect with zinc or Zn-Ni plating, black oxide, phosphate + oil, or QPQ; polished faces show sulfide stringers so avoid this grade for mirror finishes.
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 20NiCrMoS2-2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.6526
- Similar grades
- 8620
How much does 20NiCrMoS2-2 cost?
20NiCrMoS2-2 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
20NiCrMoS2-2 — frequently asked
What is 20NiCrMoS2-2 used for?
20NiCrMoS2-2 is typically used for machined carburized gears, automotive shafts and automatic-lathe components. In short: free-machining carburizing steel; best chip control in family; reduced transverse toughness.
What is the yield strength of 20NiCrMoS2-2?
20NiCrMoS2-2 has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 510 MPa (74 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 20NiCrMoS2-2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (66/100, better than 95% of steel grades). Excellent for high-volume turning in +AC/+AC+C — MnS breaks chips; run coated carbide at ~180–250 m/min, and finish-grind after carburizing since the hardened case is essentially unmachinable.
Can 20NiCrMoS2-2 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Weldable in the soft condition with 100–200 °C preheat and low-hydrogen consumables, but the 0.02–0.04 % S raises hot-cracking risk; avoid welding carburized or hardened zones.
What surface finishes work on 20NiCrMoS2-2?
No anodizing (ferrous) — protect with zinc or Zn-Ni plating, black oxide, phosphate + oil, or QPQ; polished faces show sulfide stringers so avoid this grade for mirror finishes.
Can 20NiCrMoS2-2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold heads and bends acceptably in +AC (bend radius ≥1.5×t, longitudinal only); hot forge at 1100–1150 °C then normalize at 880–920 °C before machining.
What is the maximum service temperature of 20NiCrMoS2-2?
20NiCrMoS2-2 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 20NiCrMoS2-2 cost?
20NiCrMoS2-2 is a budget-cost steel ($), 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)
- EN 10277 — Bright steel products: technical delivery conditions — CEN (2018)
- SAE J404 / ASTM A29 — AISI 8620 chemical composition — SAE / ASTM (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4A — Steel Heat Treating (carburizing) — ASM International (2013)
- Machinery's Handbook (machinability ratings) — Industrial Press (2020)
- Case hardening steel bar datasheets (1.6523 / 1.6526 / 8620) — European long-product mills (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.