20MnCr5 vs 42CrMoS4: 48% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
20MnCr5 vs 42CrMoS4
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.
42CrMoS4
1.7227
Free-cutting variant of 42CrMo4 with controlled sulfur content (0.020-0.040%). Improved machinability while maintaining essentially the same mechanical properties. Used for high-volume CNC machined components: gears, shafts, bolts, and automotive parts.
| 20MnCr5 | 42CrMoS4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.7147 | 1.7227 |
| Category | Alloy Steel | Alloy Steel |
| Standard | EN 10084 | EN 10083-3 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | 20MnCr5 | 42CrMoS4 | 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 | 42CrMoS4 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| hardness_hrc | 58–62 | 28–34 | HRC |
| tensile_strength | 900–1200 | 900–1100 | MPa |
| hardness_hb | ≤ 217 | — | HB |
Compatibility Assessment
20MnCr5 and 42CrMoS4 have significantly different compositions (48% 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 42CrMoS4?
20MnCr5 and 42CrMoS4 have a 48% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace 20MnCr5 with 42CrMoS4?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (48% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between 20MnCr5 and 42CrMoS4?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Mn, S, Cr. 20MnCr5 is a Alloy Steel grade, while 42CrMoS4 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.