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Steel 8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT (+QT + Nitrided)

Finish state

EN 8CrMo16-5

Final service condition: choose when maximum surface hardness, wear and scuffing resistance with negligible distortion is required.

Standard cost $$

Values for the +QT+NIT condition

Other 8CrMo16-5 tempers and conditions

8CrMo16-5 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 8CrMo16-5.

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Annealed
Pick for maximum machinability during roughing or for parts to be hardened later.38060022195 HB—
Normalized
Pick for a uniform fine-grained structure on forgings before final quenching and tempering.4506801918 HRC5.8 % IACS
Stress relieved
Intermediate step for long or thin precision parts: relieves machining stresses before finish cut and nitriding to hold tolerance.5807901623 HRC5.8 % 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.5908001625 HRC—
+QT+NITThis page
+QT + Nitrided
Final service condition: choose when maximum surface hardness, wear and scuffing resistance with negligible distortion is required.5908001467 HRC—

What is 8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT?

8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT is 8CrMo16-5 supplied in the +QT+NIT condition — final service condition: choose when maximum surface hardness, wear and scuffing resistance with negligible distortion is required. 8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT 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 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT 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). +QT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; +QT+NIT is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
  • Good corrosion resistance — 32/100, better than 96% of steel grades
  • High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 90% of steel grades
  • High strength — 590 MPa (85.6 ksi), better than 76% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • 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
  • Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 75% of steel grades

8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT properties

Typical room-temperature values for 8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 8CrMo16-5 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT 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).

Density7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,450°C2,642 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,500°C2,732 °F

Mechanical16

8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT 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 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus81 GPa11.7 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)800 MPa116 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)590 MPa85.6 ksi
Elongation at Break14%
Reduction in Area55%
Compressive Strength600 MPa87 ksi
Shear Strength500 MPa72.5 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)520 MPa75.4 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)35 J25.8 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell250 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C67 HRC
Hardness, Vickers950 HV

Thermal6

8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT 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).

Thermal Conductivity34 W/m·K19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)500°C932 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT conducts electricity at 5.8 % IACS, worse than 79% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity5.8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is poor (32/100), better than 96% of steel grades.

Corrosion ResistancePoor32/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts in humid air and water; the 4 % Cr content gives only mild improvement over plain carbon steel. Nitrided (especially compound-layer) surfaces resist mild atmospheric corrosion and scuffing better; post-oxidised nitriding improves it further. Not suitable for acids, chlorides or continuous wet service without coating.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability fair (35/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended8/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)55%
WeldabilityNot recommended5/100
Formability (cold)Fair35/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair45/100
PolishabilityVery good80/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use nitriding, nitrocarburising, black oxide or hard chrome instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Clow carbon keeps core soft and distortion low0.05 – 0.120.08
Si≤ 0.40.25
Mn0.4 – 0.70.55
P≤ 0.03—
Smax; low-S melts preferred for polished/nitrided surfaces≤ 0.04—
Crprimary nitride former3.8 – 4.54.1
Motemper-embrittlement resistance, secondary hardening0.4 – 0.60.5
Febalance—

8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT — frequently asked

What is 8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT used for?

8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT 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 +QT+NIT?

8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT 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 +QT+NIT easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% 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 +QT+NIT be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). 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 +QT+NIT?

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 +QT+NIT 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 +QT+NIT?

8CrMo16-5 +QT+NIT 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.

Sources

  1. EN 10085 — Nitriding steels: technical delivery conditions — CEN (2001)
  2. EN 10027-2 — Designation systems for steels, material numbers — CEN (2015)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol. 4A/4D — Steel Heat Treating and Case Hardening (Nitriding) — ASM International (2014)
  5. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.