Case-Hardening Steels / 16MnCr5
Chromium-Manganese Alloyed Case Hardening Steel
Alloyed case hardening steel with high hardenability, providing excellent surface hardness and tough core after carburizing. Industry standard for gears, piston pins, and transmission components.
Technical Specifications
Grades
16MnCr5 (1.7131)
Tolerance
h9, h10, h11
Size Range
Round 5-120mm, Hex 6-70mm, Square 6-70mm
Standards
EN ISO 683-3, DIN 17210
Key Features
- High hardenability (deep case depth achievable)
- Hard, wear-resistant surface after carburizing
- Soft, impact-absorbing, tough core structure
- Excellent resistance to variable and impact loads
- Suitable for precision cold drawing
- Good dimensional stability after heat treatment
- Excellent gear blank material
- Good weldability (before case hardening)
Applications
- Gears and pinions
- Camshafts
- Piston pins
- Worm gears
- Drive shafts
- Bearing races
- Automotive transmission parts
- Agricultural machinery gears and shafts
- Industrial gearbox components
Dimension Table
| Profile | Size Range (mm) | Tolerance | Standard Length (m) | Delivery Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | 5 - 20 | h9 | 3 | +AC / +C |
| Round | 20 - 60 | h9, h10 | 3 | +AC / +C |
| Round | 60 - 120 | h10, h11 | 3 | +AC / +C |
| Hexagon | 6 - 30 | h9 | 3 | +C |
| Hexagon | 30 - 70 | h10, h11 | 3 | +C |
| Square | 6 - 30 | h9 | 3 | +C |
| Square | 30 - 70 | h10, h11 | 3 | +C |
Technical Notes
- 01Carburizing temperature: 900-950°C (typical duration: 2-12 hours depending on part size)
- 02Case depth (CHD): Typically 0.5-2.0mm
- 03Post-carburizing heat treatment: Water or oil quench + temper at 150-200°C
- 04Surface hardness: 58-63 HRC (after carburizing + quenching)
- 05Core hardness: 30-45 HRC (depends on section size and quench medium)
- 06Delivery condition: +AC (annealed) or +C (cold drawn)
- 07Annealing temperature before cold drawing: 650-700°C
Other Types
Related Blog Posts
Technical articles, guides and industry analyses
Industries
Steel Bar Usage in the Automotive Industry and 2026 Trends
The most commonly used steel bar grades in the automotive industry and 2026 trends. The impact of electric vehicle transition, lightweighting, and sustainability requirements on material selection.
3 min
Manufacturing
Steel Heat Treatment Processes: Annealing, Quenching & Tempering, Normalizing Guide
A comprehensive guide to steel heat treatment processes. Parameters, suitable steel grades, and proper process selection for annealing, normalizing, quenching & tempering, and case hardening.
3 min