Steel 8CrMo16-5
EN 8CrMo16-5
A low-carbon, high-chromium nitriding steel with excellent case hardness and dimensional stability after nitriding, used for precision wear components that require minimal core strength but superior surface hardness.
Reference datasheet — 8CrMo16-5 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 +QT condition
8CrMo16-5 tempers and conditions
8CrMo16-5 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. +QT is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum machinability during roughing or for parts to be hardened later. | 380 | 600 | 22 | 195 HB | — |
Normalized | Pick for a uniform fine-grained structure on forgings before final quenching and tempering. | 450 | 680 | 19 | 18 HRC | 5.8 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Intermediate step for long or thin precision parts: relieves machining stresses before finish cut and nitriding to hold tolerance. | 580 | 790 | 16 | 23 HRC | 5.8 % IACS |
+QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard stocked condition: tempered above the later nitriding temperature so the part is dimensionally stable and ready to finish-machine and nitride. | 590 | 800 | 16 | 25 HRC | — |
+QT + Nitrided | Final service condition: choose when maximum surface hardness, wear and scuffing resistance with negligible distortion is required. | 590 | 800 | 14 | 67 HRC | — |
What is 8CrMo16-5?
A low-carbon, high-chromium nitriding steel with excellent case hardness and dimensional stability after nitriding, used for precision wear components that require minimal core strength but superior surface hardness. 8CrMo16-5 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). 8CrMo16-5 has a yield strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 8CrMo16-5 used for?
- Precision nitrided components
- Valve parts
- Wear-resistant sleeves
- Injection molding tooling
Advantages
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 90% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 22/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- High strength — 590 MPa (85.6 ksi), better than 76% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 5.8 % IACS, worse than 79% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades
8CrMo16-5 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 8CrMo16-5-+QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
8CrMo16-5 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical16
8CrMo16-5 has a yield strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
8CrMo16-5 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
8CrMo16-5 conducts electricity at 5.8 % IACS, worse than 79% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), better than 90% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 8CrMo16-5 takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
8CrMo16-5's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. 8CrMo16-5 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 8CrMo16-5
Is 8CrMo16-5 easy to machine?
Machine in +A or +QT with sharp carbide tooling and rigid setups; leave 0.05–0.15 mm finish stock, then stress relieve and finish-cut before nitriding — nitrided surfaces are essentially only grindable.
Can 8CrMo16-5 be welded?
Not intended for welding; if unavoidable, weld before nitriding with matching low-C Cr-Mo filler, preheat 250–350 °C and post-weld temper — never weld a nitrided part (compound layer causes porosity and cracks).
Can 8CrMo16-5 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–850 °C with slow cooling and normalize afterwards; cold forming is limited because of the high alloy content and Q&T strength.
8CrMo16-5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow carbon keeps core soft and distortion low | 0.05 – 0.12 | 0.08 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Smax; low-S melts preferred for polished/nitrided surfaces | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Crprimary nitride former | 3.8 – 4.5 | 4.1 |
| Motemper-embrittlement resistance, secondary hardening | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 8CrMo16-5?
Gas or plasma nitride at 500–540 °C for 900–1050 HV surface; grind or lap after nitriding, optionally post-oxidise or black-oxide for mild corrosion protection — anodising is not applicable.
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 8CrMo16-5 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.8527
How much does 8CrMo16-5 cost?
8CrMo16-5 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.
8CrMo16-5 — frequently asked
What is 8CrMo16-5 used for?
8CrMo16-5 is typically used for precision nitrided components, valve parts, wear-resistant sleeves and injection molding tooling. In short: highest case hardness nitriding steel; stable dimensions after nitriding; moderate core strength.
What is the yield strength of 8CrMo16-5?
8CrMo16-5 has a typical yield strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 76% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 8CrMo16-5 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machine in +A or +QT with sharp carbide tooling and rigid setups; leave 0.05–0.15 mm finish stock, then stress relieve and finish-cut before nitriding — nitrided surfaces are essentially only grindable.
Can 8CrMo16-5 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Not intended for welding; if unavoidable, weld before nitriding with matching low-C Cr-Mo filler, preheat 250–350 °C and post-weld temper — never weld a nitrided part (compound layer causes porosity and cracks).
What surface finishes work on 8CrMo16-5?
Gas or plasma nitride at 500–540 °C for 900–1050 HV surface; grind or lap after nitriding, optionally post-oxidise or black-oxide for mild corrosion protection — anodising is not applicable.
Can 8CrMo16-5 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–850 °C with slow cooling and normalize afterwards; cold forming is limited because of the high alloy content and Q&T strength.
What is the maximum service temperature of 8CrMo16-5?
8CrMo16-5 is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 8CrMo16-5 cost?
8CrMo16-5 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
- EN 10085 — Nitriding steels: technical delivery conditions — CEN (2001)
- EN 10027-2 — Designation systems for steels, material numbers — CEN (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 4A/4D — Steel Heat Treating and Case Hardening (Nitriding) — ASM International (2014)
- European special-steel mill datasheets for nitriding steel bar (1.8527 class) — various (Böhler / Deutsche Edelstahlwerke class data) (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.