38MnB5
1.5531Boron press-hardening steel — higher C (0.36-0.42%) than 22MnB5 (0.20-0.25%) for higher final strength (UTS ~1800 MPa vs ~1500 for 22MnB5). Used for ultra-high-strength automotive structural parts where 22MnB5 is not strong enough: A/B-pillar reinforcements, bumper beams, door intrusion beams. Hot-stamped at 880-950°C then die-quenched to full martensite.
International equivalents
| Flag | Standard | Country | Grade | Number | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇪🇺 | EN | Europe | 38MnB5 / 1.5531 | 1.5531 | 100% |
Sources: EN 10083-3
Chemical composition comparison (wt%)
Side-by-side: 38MnB5 (EN) (EN 10083-3) vs 38MnB5 / 1.5531 (EN) (EN 10083-3)
| Element | 38MnB5 (EN) | 38MnB5 / 1.5531 (EN) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.36–0.42% | 0.36–0.42% | OK |
| Si | 0–0.4% | 0–0.4% | OK |
| Mn | 1.2–1.5% | 1.2–1.5% | OK |
| P | 0–0.025% | 0–0.025% | OK |
| S | 0–0.025% | 0–0.025% | OK |
| Cr | 0–0.5% | 0–0.5% | OK |
| B | 0.0008–0.005% | 0.0008–0.005% | OK |
Mechanical properties
Press Hardened
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 1700–1900 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | 1200–1400 | MPa |
| Elongation | 5–8 | % |
| Hardness HRC | 50–55 | HRC |
| Elastic Modulus | ≥ 210 | GPa |
| Density | ≥ 7.85 | g/cm3 |
Compatibility verdict
38MnB5 and 38MnB5 / 1.5531: 100% composition match
Close equivalents but NOT identical.
Related materials
50CrV4
1.8160Chromium-vanadium spring/tool steel — identical alloy system to 51CrV4 (1.8159) but recognized as a separate grade in some standards. Dual use: heavy-duty springs (EN 10089) AND cold work tools (knives, shear blades). V improves temper resistance and grain refinement. UTS 1200-1500 QT. Used for heavy leaf springs, stabilizer bars, torsion bars, and cold work cutting tools.
51CrMoV4
1.7701CrMoV alloyed spring steel — THE European automotive suspension spring material. CrMo gives deep hardenability for large coil springs, V adds grain refinement and secondary hardening for fatigue resistance. UTS 1350-1600 MPa QT. Used for hot-formed coil springs (cars, trucks), leaf springs, torsion bars, and stabilizer bars. Excellent sag resistance to 200°C.
20MnCr5
1.7147Manganese-chromium case-hardening steel with higher core strength than 16MnCr5. Used for heavily loaded gears, shafts, camshafts, and transmission components requiring high surface hardness with tough core. Popular in automotive and heavy machinery.
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