Steel 5CrMnMo
GB 5CrMnMo
5CrMnMo is a medium-alloy Cr-Mn-Mo hot-work die steel, supplied spheroidize-annealed at about 220 HB and quench-and-temper hardened to service hardnesses of 30–47 HRC.
Reference datasheet — 5CrMnMo 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 Annealed condition
5CrMnMo tempers and conditions
5CrMnMo is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault spheroidize/soft annealed bar as delivered | Standard stocking condition for forged/rolled bar and blocks: soft enough for die sinking before hardening. | 500 | 780 | 18 | 18 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
Normalized | Grain refinement / structure homogenization step after forging, before spheroidize annealing; too hard for extensive machining. | 600 | 950 | 12 | 29 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
dovetail / shank zone temper | Soft-back condition specified for die dovetails and shanks to avoid brittle fracture at clamping features. | 870 | 1,000 | 16 | 33 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
temper ~580–600 °C (large dies > 375 mm) | Maximum toughness / crack resistance for large forging die blocks working under heavy impact. | 960 | 1,100 | 14 | 36 HRC | — |
temper ~550–570 °C (dies 325–375 mm) | Toughness-biased setting for larger hammer dies and deep-impression cavities. | 1,100 | 1,250 | 12 | 39 HRC | — |
Q&T + gas/ion nitrided surface | Post-treatment for die cavities needing extra wear and washout resistance; nitride at ≤ tempering temperature to avoid softening the core. | 1,100 | 1,250 | 11 | 40 HRC | 6.9 % IACS |
temper ~520–540 °C (dies 275–325 mm) | Balanced wear/toughness setting for medium hammer dies and hot trimming tools. | 1,230 | 1,400 | 10 | 42 HRC | — |
oil quench + temper ~490–510 °C (small dies, height < 275 mm) | Highest working hardness: small hammer dies, inserts and punches where wear resistance dominates. | 1,350 | 1,550 | 9 | 45 HRC | — |
As-quenched | Intermediate condition only — must be tempered immediately; brittle and highly stressed. | 1,500 | 1,950 | 1 | 55 HRC | 6.6 % IACS |
What is 5CrMnMo?
5CrMnMo is a medium-alloy Cr-Mn-Mo hot-work die steel, supplied spheroidize-annealed at about 220 HB and quench-and-temper hardened to service hardnesses of 30–47 HRC. It is used for small and medium forging and hot-stamping dies where impact toughness matters more than maximum hot wear resistance, and is stocked as forged die blocks, blanks and plate, optionally nitrided. Hardenability in heavy sections and hot strength are lower than nickel-bearing or H13-type steels, and the steel rusts freely; for large hammer dies 5CrNiMo is the usual choice, and H13 for higher thermal-fatigue resistance. 5CrMnMo has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). 5CrMnMo has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 5CrMnMo used for?
- Forging dies
- Hot stamping dies
- Die inserts and holders
- Hot upsetting and trimming dies
- Hot shear blades
- Mandrels for hot forming
- Small hammer die blocks
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades
5CrMnMo properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5CrMnMo-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
5CrMnMo has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical17
5CrMnMo has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
5CrMnMo is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5CrMnMo conducts electricity at 7.2 % IACS, worse than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5CrMnMo takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability8
5CrMnMo's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (30/100).
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. 5CrMnMo is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5CrMnMo
Is 5CrMnMo easy to machine?
Cut in the spheroidize-annealed state (≤241 HB) with coated carbide at moderate speed; after tempering above 38 HRC use rigid setups, ceramic/CBN or EDM for cavity finishing and stress-relieve before final hardening.
Can 5CrMnMo be welded?
Repair welding only — preheat 300–400 °C, use matching or 5CrNiMo-type filler, keep interpass temperature and temper immediately at 20–30 °C below the last tempering temperature to avoid HAZ cracking.
Can 5CrMnMo be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1150 °C, finish above 850 °C, cool slowly in furnace or ash, then normalize 850–870 °C and spheroidize anneal 760–780 °C; no cold forming.
5CrMnMo 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 | 0.5 – 0.6 | 0.55 |
| Si | 0.25 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| MnMn replaces Ni of 5CrNiMo for hardenability | 1.2 – 1.6 | 1.4 |
| Cr | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| Motemper-brittleness suppression | 0.15 – 0.3 | 0.22 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5CrMnMo?
Cavities are polished or textured then usually nitrided/oxide-blackened; no anodizing — protect with oil, phosphate or vapour-phase inhibitor since the steel rusts freely.
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
How much does 5CrMnMo cost?
5CrMnMo 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.
5CrMnMo — frequently asked
What is 5CrMnMo used for?
5CrMnMo is typically used for forging dies, hot stamping dies, die inserts and holders, hot upsetting and trimming dies, hot shear blades and mandrels for hot forming. In short: tough small-die hot-work steel; economical forging die grade; lower hardenability than 5CrNiMo.
What is the yield strength of 5CrMnMo?
5CrMnMo has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 5CrMnMo easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Cut in the spheroidize-annealed state (≤241 HB) with coated carbide at moderate speed; after tempering above 38 HRC use rigid setups, ceramic/CBN or EDM for cavity finishing and stress-relieve before final hardening.
Can 5CrMnMo be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Repair welding only — preheat 300–400 °C, use matching or 5CrNiMo-type filler, keep interpass temperature and temper immediately at 20–30 °C below the last tempering temperature to avoid HAZ cracking.
What surface finishes work on 5CrMnMo?
Cavities are polished or textured then usually nitrided/oxide-blackened; no anodizing — protect with oil, phosphate or vapour-phase inhibitor since the steel rusts freely.
Can 5CrMnMo be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1150 °C, finish above 850 °C, cool slowly in furnace or ash, then normalize 850–870 °C and spheroidize anneal 760–780 °C; no cold forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5CrMnMo?
5CrMnMo 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.
What is the difference between 5CrMnMo Annealed and 5CrMnMo-Q?
Annealed is the default condition — standard stocking condition for forged/rolled bar and blocks: soft enough for die sinking before hardening. Q: intermediate condition only — must be tempered immediately; brittle and highly stressed. Yield strength is 500 MPa in Annealed versus 1,500 MPa in Q.
How much does 5CrMnMo cost?
5CrMnMo 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
- GB/T 1299 (Alloy tool steels) (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Tool Steels, 5th ed. (L6 / 6F2 hot-work die steel data) — ASM International (1998)
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.