16MnCr5 is a low alloy case hardening steel. After carburizing/carbonitriding and hardening it produces a hard wear resistant case with tough core, with good resistance to shock. The ‘as rolled and quenched’ surface hardness usually ranges from 37-43HRc.
Both 16MnCr5 and 20MnCr5 steel grades demonstrates reasonably high hardenability, and excellent forgeability and can be used as an alternative to more costly alloyed case hardening steels.
Grade 16MnCr5 and 20MnCr5 steels are case hardening steels used extensively for both carburising and carbonitriding, demonstrating reasonably high hardenability and excellent forgeability. It has become an accepted alternative to SAE 8620 steel in some cases.