
17Cr3 (Werkstoffnummer 1.7016) is a European standard (EN ISO 683-3 / EN 10084) chromium-alloyed low-carbon steel designed specifically for case hardening (carburizing).
Compared to other popular case-hardening grades like 16MnCr5, 17Cr3 relies predominantly on Chromium rather than Manganese to achieve its depth of hardenability. It is widely specified across Europe for small-to-medium-sized machinery parts that require a tough core to absorb shock, paired with an intensely hard outer shell to resist severe friction and abrasive wear.
The primary alloying element is Chromium, which promotes a uniform response to gas, liquid, or vacuum carburization. This ensures excellent surface hardness while preserving the ductility of the inner core.
| Element | Carbon (C) | Silicon (Si) | Manganese (Mn) | Phosphorus (P) | Sulfur (S)* | Chromium (Cr) |
| Min | 0.14% | 0.60% | 0.70% | |||
| Max | 0.20% | 0.40% | 0.90% | 0.025% | 0.035% | 1.00% |
*Note: For improved machinability on automatic CNC turning centers, variants can be ordered with controlled sulfur content (e.g., 17CrS3, WNr 1.7014), specifying sulfur levels between 0.020% and 0.040%.
The mechanical goal of 17Cr3 is a highly differentiated microstructure: a hard, high-carbon martensitic case on the outside, and a ductile, lower-carbon ferrite-pearlite or bainitic core on the inside.
| Property | Value |
| Tensile Strength (R) | 700 -950 MPa |
| Yield Strength (R) | 490 MPa |
| Elongation (A5) | 11% |
| Impact Energy (ISO-V) | 35 J |
| As-Delivered Hardness (Soft Annealed, +A) | 174 HBW |
| As-Delivered Hardness (Treated for Machinability, +TH) | 140 187 HBW |
| Final Surface Case Hardness | 57 - 62 HRC |
When converting bills of materials (BOMs) from older national standards or sourcing raw bar stock internationally, 17Cr3 matches up with these equivalents:
Germany (DIN / WNr): 17Cr3 (1.7016) / 17CrS3 (1.7014)
USA (AISI/SAE): AISI 5015 / AISI 5115
Japan (JIS): SCr415 / SCr415H
United Kingdom (BS): 523M15
China (GB/T): 15Cr / 20Cr
Forging / Hot Rolling: 1150C 850C (Air cool post-forming)
Normalizing: 870C - 900C
Soft Annealing (+A): 650- 700C (Slow furnace cooling to drop hardness below 174 HBW)
Carburizing Cycle: 880-980C (Typically targeted to a case depth between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm depending on part geometry)
Core Refining Quench: 860C -890C (In oil or warm polymer baths)
Case Refining Quench: 780-C- 810C (Optimizes the surface layer hardness)
Low-Temperature Tempering: 150C -200C (Sustained for at least 1-2 hours to achieve dimensional stability and relieve internal stress without sacrificing wear resistance)
17Cr3 round bars are highly favored for light-to-medium-duty transmission parts and control mechanisms where extreme alloy choices (like high-nickel steels) are unnecessary and cost-prohibitive.
Transmission Components: Small gear wheels, pinion shafts, splined drives, and synchronous hubs.
Precision Steering Gear: Steering worms, steering knuckles, selector forks, and pivot pins.
General Machinery: Guide rollers, precision bushings, piston pins, cams, and structural link rods.
Fasteners: Moderate-strength case-hardened structural pins and wear bolts.
Weldability Constraints: Like all carburizing grades, 17Cr3 is not intended for structural welding. The carbon pickup in the case layer forms highly brittle zones under weld thermal cycles, creating high risks of immediate cold-cracking. Any essential welding must be carried out on the raw material prior to the carburization phase.
Price:
Thank You!
Thank You for your valuable time. We have received your details and will get back to you shortly.
For an immediate response, please call this
number 08045800544
Price:
English
Spanish
French
German
Italian
Chinese (Simplified)
Japanese
Korean
Arabic
Portuguese