20MnCr5 vs 42CrMo4: 38% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
20MnCr5 vs 42CrMo4
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
20MnCr5
1.7147
Manganese-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.
42CrMo4
1.7225
High-strength quenched and tempered chromium-molybdenum steel. Widely used for shafts, gears, crankshafts, connecting rods, and high-strength bolts. Excellent hardenability and good fatigue resistance.
| 20MnCr5 | 42CrMo4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.7147 | 1.7225 |
| Category | Alloy Steel | Alloy Steel |
| Standard | EN 10084 | EN 10083-3 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | 20MnCr5 | 42CrMo4 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.17–0.22% | 0.38–0.45% | No overlap |
| Si | 0–0.4% | 0–0.4% | OK |
| Mn | 1.1–1.4% | 0.6–0.9% | No overlap |
| P | 0–0.025% | 0–0.025% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | 20MnCr5 | 42CrMo4 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| hardness_hrc | 58–62 | 28–34 | HRC |
| tensile_strength | 900–1200 | 900–1100 | MPa |
| hardness_hb | ≤ 217 | — | HB |
Compatibility Assessment
20MnCr5 and 42CrMo4 have significantly different compositions (38% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 20MnCr5 the same as 42CrMo4?
20MnCr5 and 42CrMo4 have a 38% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace 20MnCr5 with 42CrMo4?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (38% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between 20MnCr5 and 42CrMo4?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Mn, Cr. 20MnCr5 is a Alloy Steel grade, while 42CrMo4 is a Alloy Steel grade.
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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.