Steel 22MnB4
EN 22MnB4
22MnB4 (1.5522) is a boron-manganese steel from the EN 10083 family used for medium- to high-strength cold-headed fasteners in the property class 10.9 range, relying on boron rather than costly alloying for hardenability.
Reference datasheet — 22MnB4 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+C condition
22MnB4 tempers and conditions
22MnB4 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. +AC+C is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Softest condition, chosen when maximum cold-heading/extrusion ductility is needed before final drawing or forming. | 310 | 460 | 25 | 137 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Mill hot-rolled starting stock for further annealing, drawing or hot forging; cheapest form but limited cold formability. | 390 | 600 | 20 | 180 HB | — |
+AC+CDefault Spheroidize annealed and cold drawn | Standard stocked cold-heading wire condition: soft globular microstructure plus drawn size/finish for multi-station header feed. | 450 | 560 | 14 | 165 HB | — |
Cold drawn from the as-rolled condition | Drawn to size for bright bar / light upsetting where high as-drawn strength and tight tolerance matter more than deep cold heading. | 590 | 670 | 10 | 205 HB | — |
quenched and tempered to class 8.8-equivalent hardness | Higher-temperature temper (~540–600 °C) used when 8.8-class strength with better toughness and hydrogen-embrittlement margin is preferred. | 760 | 900 | 14 | 30 HRC | — |
Hardenability-guaranteed, quenched and tempered | Final condition of headed parts: oil/water quench from ~880 °C and temper ~420–500 °C to reach 10.9 fastener strength in sections up to ~16 mm. | 980 | 1,100 | 11 | 35 HRC | — |
What is 22MnB4?
22MnB4 (1.5522) is a boron-manganese steel from the EN 10083 family used for medium- to high-strength cold-headed fasteners in the property class 10.9 range, relying on boron rather than costly alloying for hardenability. It is supplied as cold-heading wire, drawn bar and forging stock; the annealed/drawn condition on file gives about 450 MPa yield, 560 MPa tensile, 14 % elongation and 165 HB (85 HRB), with formability rated 82. Limits are a maximum service temperature near 400 °C, restricted weldability (CE_IIW ≈ 0.45–0.55, score 60), machinability of only 55, and no bare corrosion resistance. Use 18MnB4 or 17MnB4 for lower strength classes. 22MnB4 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). 22MnB4 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 22MnB4 used for?
- high strength bolts
- fasteners
- cold heading wire
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 82/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 75% of steel grades
22MnB4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 22MnB4-+AC+C; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
22MnB4 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).
Mechanical15
22MnB4 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
22MnB4 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 12.2 µm/m·K (6.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
22MnB4 conducts electricity at 8.6 % IACS, better than 66% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 22MnB4 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
22MnB4's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability very good (82/100).
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. 22MnB4 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 22MnB4
Is 22MnB4 easy to machine?
Machines like a 1022/1524-type carbon steel (~60 % of AISI 1212) in +AC or +AC+C; after quench-and-temper to 35 HRC use coated carbide, reduced speed, or grind.
Can 22MnB4 be welded?
Weldable with care (CE_IIW ≈ 0.45–0.55): preheat 100–150 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and PWHT for thick sections; welding after hardening destroys the tempered strength and boron benefit locally.
Can 22MnB4 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent multi-station cold heading and cold extrusion in the +AC / +AC+C condition with phosphate + soap or polymer lubricant; hot forging 1100–1200 °C, austenitize 870–900 °C, oil or water quench, temper 420–600 °C to target class.
22MnB4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 10263-4 / EN 10083-3 | 0.2 – 0.25 | 0.22 |
| Si | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Mn | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Beffective (soluble) boron controls hardenability | 8×10⁻⁴ – 0.01 | 0 |
| Titypical N-fixing addition to protect soluble B | 0.02 – 0.05 | 0.04 |
| Algrain refinement / deoxidation | 0.02 – 0.06 | 0.04 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.08 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 22MnB4?
No corrosion resistance bare — zinc electroplate (with mandatory 200 °C/4 h bake at 10.9 to avoid hydrogen embrittlement), zinc-flake dip-spin, phosphate + oil, or hot-dip galvanizing on lower classes.
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 22MnB4 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.5522
How much does 22MnB4 cost?
22MnB4 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
22MnB4 — frequently asked
What is 22MnB4 used for?
22MnB4 is typically used for high strength bolts, fasteners and cold heading wire. In short: class 10.9 boron fastener steel; deep hardenability, low alloy cost; requires bake after plating.
What is the yield strength of 22MnB4?
22MnB4 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 22MnB4 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like a 1022/1524-type carbon steel (~60 % of AISI 1212) in +AC or +AC+C; after quench-and-temper to 35 HRC use coated carbide, reduced speed, or grind.
Can 22MnB4 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Weldable with care (CE_IIW ≈ 0.45–0.55): preheat 100–150 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and PWHT for thick sections; welding after hardening destroys the tempered strength and boron benefit locally.
What surface finishes work on 22MnB4?
No corrosion resistance bare — zinc electroplate (with mandatory 200 °C/4 h bake at 10.9 to avoid hydrogen embrittlement), zinc-flake dip-spin, phosphate + oil, or hot-dip galvanizing on lower classes.
Can 22MnB4 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent multi-station cold heading and cold extrusion in the +AC / +AC+C condition with phosphate + soap or polymer lubricant; hot forging 1100–1200 °C, austenitize 870–900 °C, oil or water quench, temper 420–600 °C to target class.
What is the maximum service temperature of 22MnB4?
22MnB4 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 22MnB4 cost?
22MnB4 is a budget-cost steel ($), 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 10263-4 Steel rod, bars and wire for cold heading and cold extrusion – Part 4: heat treatable steels — CEN (2018)
- EN 10083-3 Steels for quenching and tempering – Part 3: alloy steels — CEN (2006)
- ISO 898-1 Mechanical properties of fasteners – bolts, screws and studs (property class 10.9) — ISO (2013)
- GB/T 6478 / GB/T 3077 ( 20MnTiB/22MnB ) — SAC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 – Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 – Heat Treating (boron hardenability) — ASM International (1991)
- Cold heading wire rod 22MnB4 datasheets — Ovako / Saarstahl / voestalpine (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.