20MnCrS5 vs 20MnCr5: Identical except sulfur — S-variant for improved machinability
20MnCrS5 vs 20MnCr5
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
20MnCrS5
1.7149
Free-cutting variant of 20MnCr5 with controlled sulfur (0.020-0.040%). Improved machinability for high-volume gear production without significant loss of mechanical properties. The standard free-cutting case-hardening steel in European automotive gear manufacturing.
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.
| 20MnCrS5 | 20MnCr5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.7149 | 1.7147 |
| Category | Alloy Steel | Alloy Steel |
| Standard | EN 10084 | EN 10084 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | 20MnCrS5 | 20MnCr5 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.17–0.22% | 0.17–0.22% | OK |
| Si | 0–0.4% | 0–0.4% | OK |
| Mn | 1.1–1.4% | 1.1–1.4% | OK |
| P | 0–0.025% | 0–0.025% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | 20MnCrS5 | 20MnCr5 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| hardness_hrc | 58–62 | 58–62 | HRC |
| hardness_hb | ≤ 217 | ≤ 217 | HB |
| e_modulus | ≥ 210 | ≥ 210 | GPa |
Compatibility Assessment
20MnCrS5 has controlled S: 0.020-0.040% vs 20MnCr5 max 0.035%. This improves machinability ~20% with minimal impact on mechanical properties. Choose S-variant for high-volume CNC gear production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 20MnCrS5 the same as 20MnCr5?
20MnCrS5 and 20MnCr5 have a 97% composition overlap. Identical except sulfur — S-variant for improved machinability
Can I replace 20MnCrS5 with 20MnCr5?
In many cases, yes. The compositions overlap significantly (97%). However, always verify mechanical property requirements and heat treatment compatibility for your specific application.
What is the difference between 20MnCrS5 and 20MnCr5?
The main differences are in the following elements: S. 20MnCrS5 is a Alloy Steel grade, while 20MnCr5 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.