16MnCr5 vs 8620 / 20NiCrMo2-2: Both case-hardening steels — different alloy concepts
16MnCr5 vs 8620 / 20NiCrMo2-2
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
16MnCr5
1.7131
Low-carbon case-hardening steel with manganese and chromium. Excellent for carburizing to produce a hard, wear-resistant surface with a tough core. Standard choice for gears, camshafts, piston pins, and transmission components.
8620 / 20NiCrMo2-2
1.6523
Nickel-chromium-molybdenum case-hardening steel. Good combination of core toughness and case hardness. The most widely used case-hardening steel in the US (AISI 8620). Used for gears, pinions, worm drives, king pins, and cross-shafts.
| 16MnCr5 | 8620 / 20NiCrMo2-2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.7131 | 1.6523 |
| Category | Alloy Steel | Alloy Steel |
| Standard | EN 10084 | EN 10084 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | 16MnCr5 | 8620 / 20NiCrMo2-2 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.14–0.19% | 0.17–0.23% | Partial |
| Si | 0–0.4% | 0–0.4% | OK |
| Mn | 1–1.3% | 0.65–0.95% | No overlap |
| P | 0–0.025% | 0–0.025% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | 16MnCr5 | 8620 / 20NiCrMo2-2 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 800–1100 | 800–1100 | MPa |
| yield_strength | ≥ 590 | — | MPa |
| elongation | ≥ 10 | — | % |
Compatibility Assessment
8620 adds Ni (0.4-0.7%) and Mo (0.15-0.25%) for better core toughness and hardenability. 16MnCr5 uses higher Mn (1.0-1.3%) for through-hardenability. 8620 is dominant in US, 16MnCr5 in Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 16MnCr5 the same as 8620 / 20NiCrMo2-2?
16MnCr5 and 8620 / 20NiCrMo2-2 have a 65% composition overlap. Both case-hardening steels — different alloy concepts
Can I replace 16MnCr5 with 8620 / 20NiCrMo2-2?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (65% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between 16MnCr5 and 8620 / 20NiCrMo2-2?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Mn, Cr. 16MnCr5 is a Alloy Steel grade, while 8620 / 20NiCrMo2-2 is a Alloy Steel grade.
Related Comparisons
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.