16MnCrS5 vs 23MnB4: 52% composition overlap. Moderate differences, generally not direct substitutes.
16MnCrS5 vs 23MnB4
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
16MnCrS5
1.7139
Free-cutting variant of 16MnCr5 (1.7131) — sulfur addition (0.020-0.040%) for improved machinability on CNC automatics. Same case-hardening properties: surface 60-62 HRC after carburizing. THE high-volume automotive gear steel where machining cost matters. Used for transmission gears, shafts, pinions, and other carburized parts produced on CNC lathes and multi-spindle automatics.
23MnB4
1.5535
Cold-heading boron steel — optimized for cold forming of high-strength fasteners. Boron gives hardenability equivalent to much more expensive Cr-Mo alloys. Supplied spheroidized for cold heading, then quenched+tempered after forming. Property class 10.9 bolts are commonly made from this grade. Used for high-strength bolts (M8-M24), screws, studs, and threaded fasteners for automotive and construction.
| 16MnCrS5 | 23MnB4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.7139 | 1.5535 |
| Category | Alloy Steel | Alloy Steel |
| Standard | EN 10084 | EN 10263-4 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | 16MnCrS5 | 23MnB4 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.14–0.19% | 0.2–0.27% | No overlap |
| Si | 0–0.4% | 0–0.4% | OK |
| Mn | 1–1.3% | 0.8–1.1% | Partial |
| P | 0–0.025% | 0–0.025% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | 16MnCrS5 | 23MnB4 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| hardness_hrc | 60–62 | — | HRC |
| tensile_strength | 700–1000 | 830–1040 | MPa |
| yield_strength | 450–700 | 660–830 | MPa |
Compatibility Assessment
16MnCrS5 and 23MnB4 have moderate differences (52% overlap). They are generally not direct substitutes. Consider the specific requirements of your application.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 16MnCrS5 the same as 23MnB4?
16MnCrS5 and 23MnB4 have a 52% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace 16MnCrS5 with 23MnB4?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (52% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between 16MnCrS5 and 23MnB4?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Mn, S. 16MnCrS5 is a Alloy Steel grade, while 23MnB4 is a Alloy Steel grade.
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.