Steel 5CrNiMo
GB 5CrNiMo
5CrNiMo is a Cr-Ni-Mo hot-work die steel with high toughness and deep hardenability, supplied hot rolled, annealed at about 220 HB or quench-and-tempered to 30–48 HRC.
Reference datasheet — 5CrNiMo 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
5CrNiMo tempers and conditions
5CrNiMo is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault spheroidize/soft annealed forged block or bar | Order this soft annealed forged block or bar at 220 HB for rough machining the die cavity, then through-harden and temper the finished tool to its working hardness. | 450 | 760 | 18 | 220 HB | — |
850–870 °C air cool (pre-machining grain refinement) | Use 850–870 °C normalizing with air cooling after forging to refine structure and remove banding; it is normally followed by annealing rather than used as a delivered state. | 620 | 1,000 | 12 | 31 HRC | 6.6 % IACS |
untreated bar or block | Take the untreated as-rolled or as-forged blank for the lowest price and rough cut-off only; hardness is uneven near 320 HB, so anneal before any machining. | 680 | 1,050 | 12 | 34 HRC | 6.6 % IACS |
Q&T 30–34 HRC | Use the 560–580 °C temper at 30–34 HRC for blocks over about 400 mm thick and dovetail or holder sections, where 15% elongation and top toughness prevent through-cracking. | 880 | 1,050 | 15 | 32 HRC | — |
Q&T 34–38 HRC | Choose the ~540 °C temper (34–38 HRC) for die blocks about 300–400 mm thick, balancing cavity wear resistance against resistance to gross cracking up to 480 °C. | 1,000 | 1,180 | 13 | 36 HRC | — |
Q&T 38–42 HRC | Pick the 490–520 °C temper at 38–42 HRC for hammer die blocks under about 300 mm thick, the common compromise between cavity wear resistance and toughness. | 1,120 | 1,300 | 11 | 40 HRC | — |
Q&T 44–48 HRC | Temper near 400 °C to 44–48 HRC for small hot-forging die inserts and punches where wear dominates and impact is light; elongation drops to 8% and service caps at 350 °C. | 1,300 | 1,500 | 8 | 46 HRC | — |
As-quenched | Use only as the specified hardenability check after 830–860 °C oil quenching at 55 HRC; temper immediately, since untempered blocks are brittle and crack-prone. | 1,520 | 1,980 | 2 | 55 HRC | 5.7 % IACS |
What is 5CrNiMo?
5CrNiMo is a Cr-Ni-Mo hot-work die steel with high toughness and deep hardenability, supplied hot rolled, annealed at about 220 HB or quench-and-tempered to 30–48 HRC. It is the standard choice for large forging dies, hammer dies and heavy die blocks that see repeated impact, and is stocked as forged blocks and slabs. Weldability is poor and preheated, immediately re-tempered repair procedures are required; the steel rusts freely and the annealed grade is listed to about 300 °C, so for higher thermal-fatigue resistance H13 is used, and 5CrMnMo for smaller, lower-cost dies. 5CrNiMo has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). 5CrNiMo has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 5CrNiMo used for?
- large forging dies
- hammer dies
- die blocks
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 65 MPa·√m (59.2 ksi·√in), worse than 75% of steel grades
5CrNiMo properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5CrNiMo-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
5CrNiMo has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical12
5CrNiMo has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
5CrNiMo is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.5 µm/m·K (6.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
5CrNiMo has an electrical resistivity of 2.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5CrNiMo takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
5CrNiMo's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (25/100).
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. 5CrNiMo is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5CrNiMo
Is 5CrNiMo easy to machine?
Rough the cavity in the annealed condition (≤241 HB) with coated carbide milling — this is the most economical route. After quench and temper to 34–42 HRC, restrict work to finishing passes with rigid clamping and low feed to avoid edge chipping.
Can 5CrNiMo be welded?
Weldability is poor. For cavity repair, preheat to 350–400 °C, use matching or H13-type electrodes, then temper immediately at about 20–30 °C below the original tempering temperature and cool slowly to prevent cracking.
Can 5CrNiMo be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming is essentially impossible. Forge at 1050–1150 °C with finish forging not below about 850 °C, cool slowly after forging and anneal promptly to avoid flakes and cracks.
5CrNiMo 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 | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| Cr | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| Ni | 1.4 – 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Mo | 0.15 – 0.3 | 0.22 |
| Pimpurity limit | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Simpurity limit | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5CrNiMo?
Cavities can be polished up to pre-mirror grades. Nitriding or boronizing is common to raise hot wear life, but an over-thick nitrided layer tends to spall under hammer loading; oil parts for storage and shipment to prevent rust.
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 5CrNiMo cost?
5CrNiMo is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
5CrNiMo — frequently asked
What is 5CrNiMo used for?
5CrNiMo is typically used for large forging dies, hammer dies and die blocks. In short: toughest hot-work die steel; for large hammer dies; deep-hardening die block grade.
What is the yield strength of 5CrNiMo?
5CrNiMo has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 5CrNiMo easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Rough the cavity in the annealed condition (≤241 HB) with coated carbide milling — this is the most economical route. After quench and temper to 34–42 HRC, restrict work to finishing passes with rigid clamping and low feed to avoid edge chipping.
Can 5CrNiMo be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Weldability is poor. For cavity repair, preheat to 350–400 °C, use matching or H13-type electrodes, then temper immediately at about 20–30 °C below the original tempering temperature and cool slowly to prevent cracking.
What surface finishes work on 5CrNiMo?
Cavities can be polished up to pre-mirror grades. Nitriding or boronizing is common to raise hot wear life, but an over-thick nitrided layer tends to spall under hammer loading; oil parts for storage and shipment to prevent rust.
Can 5CrNiMo be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming is essentially impossible. Forge at 1050–1150 °C with finish forging not below about 850 °C, cool slowly after forging and anneal promptly to avoid flakes and cracks.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5CrNiMo?
5CrNiMo is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 5CrNiMo Annealed and 5CrNiMo-Q?
Annealed is the default condition — order this soft annealed forged block or bar at 220 HB for rough machining the die cavity, then through-harden and temper the finished tool to its working hardness. Q: use only as the specified hardenability check after 830–860 °C oil quenching at 55 HRC; temper immediately, since untempered blocks are brittle and crack-prone. Yield strength is 450 MPa in Annealed versus 1,520 MPa in Q.
How much does 5CrNiMo cost?
5CrNiMo is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1991)
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.