Steel grade 20MnCr5

These two grades of steel are alloyed carburizing quality steels, and are part of the structural and engineering steel group. These grades are used in the automotive and engineering industries, as well as for the production of components that have high surface hardness and good core strength and ductility. Thanks to their properties, these steels are particularly used for components requiring a combination of wear resistance and toughness. Both of these steels have a similar chemical composition, which ensures adequate mechanical properties after carburizing and quenching. The chemical composition is optimized to achieve maximum surface hardness and adequate core strength.

The carburizing process is the key heat treatment step for these steels. It involves saturating the surface layer of the steel into carbon while annealing the component over a specified period of time in a medium containing atomic carbon. Carburizing takes place at a temperature of about 880 - 980 °C. After carburizing, the steel is hardened and tempered, resulting in a very hard and wear-resistant surface while maintaining a ductile core. The depth of hardening can be controlled by the duration of carburizing, allowing the properties of the steel to be tailored to specific applications.

16MnCr5 and 20MnCr5 steels are versatile materials for the production of tough and wear-resistant machine parts that can operate under high surface loads. With excellent mechanical properties after carburizing, quenching and tempering, these steels are widely used in automotive, engineering and other industries requiring high durability and wear resistance. These properties make them key materials in the production of precise and reliable mechanical components.

Steel 20MnCr5 chemical composition

A very important factor determining the mechanical properties of a given steel is its chemical composition. According to melt analysis, the chemical composition of 16MnCr5 steel should be in accordance with the values given in the table below.

Steel 20MnCr5 mechanical properties

20MnCr5 steel application

16MnCr5 and 20MnCr5 steels are widely used in the manufacture of components subjected to intense surface loads and dynamic forces. Typical applications for these steels include:

• Gears: These steels are ideal for gears that require high surface hardness and wear resistance.
• Shafts and axles: Used where high mechanical strength combined with surface hardness is required.
• Transmission and gearbox components: These parts need to withstand high dynamic loads and resist abrasion.
• Bushings, worms, rings: Components requiring precise fit and abrasion resistance.