Material Name

Alloy steel 1.7131 | 16MnCr5

Material Type

Metal

Process Compatibility

CNC machining

Rapid Prototyping
PolyJet-Digital-ABS

Definition of Alloy steel 1.7131 | 16MnCr5

ABS, which stands for (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), is a widely used thermoplastic polymer made by combining acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene. This material blends the strength and heat resistance of acrylonitrile, the toughness of butadiene rubber, and the stiffness and ease of manufacturing of styrene. ABS is known for being lightweight, strong, and easy to shape through processes like injection molding or 3D printing. It is commonly found in a variety of products, including car parts, electronic device housings, toys such as LEGO bricks, and home appliances. This system works by quickly adjusting the brake pressure, allowing the driver to maintain control of the vehicle and reducing the risk of skidding.

Properties of Alloy steel 1.7131 | 16MnCr5

Property Value
Mechanical Properties
Ultimate tensile strength 690 – 1080 MPa
Yield strength 470 – 630 MPa
Young’s modulus (modulus of elasticity) 205 – 213 GPa
Elongation at break 15 – 22 %
Physical Properties
Corrosion resistance Moderate to Poor
Magnetism Semi-Magnetic
UV resistance Excellent
Weldability Moderate
Thermal Properties
Maximum service temperature 613 – 652 °C
Thermal expansion coefficient 11.5 – 13 × 10-6/ºC
Thermal conductivity 35 – 50 W/(m⋅°C)
Electrical Properties
Electrical resistivity 18 – 27 μΩ*cm
Post Treatments
Post-Processing Tempering & Annealing
Anodizing compatibility Not suitable
Common Applications
High tensile applications General engineering parts
Connecting rods & bolts

Why Alloy steel 1.7131 | 16MnCr5 Matters in CNC Workshops

  1. High-demand food industry orders: Food and beverage companies always need replacement parts. POM-C FDA keeps your shop busy with repeat, high-margin jobs.
  2. Premium pricing: Food-grade certification lets you charge 30–50% more than standard POM-C. Customers pay extra for compliance and traceability.
  3. Easy to machine: POM-C FDA cuts cleanly with standard tools, holds tight tolerances, and needs no special setup. Fast cycle times mean more parts per day.
  4. Long-term customer lock-in: Once a food plant approves your POM-C FDA parts, they reorder for years. It builds stable, recurring revenue with low customer churn.

Surface Finishes for Alloy steel 1.7131 | 16MnCr5

The default finish from CNC machining plastic stock (Delrin, nylon, HDPE, ABS). Visible linear tool path scallop marks across machined surfaces with a matte plastic sheen. No secondary operation suitable for functional components, jigs, fixtures, and internal parts where cosmetic appearance is secondary to dimensional accuracy.

As-Molded

Quick post-fabrication process that passes a controlled flame over acrylic (PMMA) cut edges, melting the surface micro-layer to produce a crystal-clear, glossy, transparent edge. Fast and cost-effective for acrylic sheet edges produces optical clarity on cut borders without the labor of hand polishing. Ideal for display cases, signage, and acrylic enclosures.

Post-fabrication chemical process that exposes transparent plastic parts (acrylic, PC, PETG) to solvent vapor, melting and smoothing the surface micro-layer to dramatically improve optical clarity and gloss. Removes machining lines and produces crystal-clear transparent parts — essential for prototype lenses, light guides, display windows, fluidic chambers, and medical components requiring optical transparency.

Vapor Polished

Post-fabrication spray painting in any custom color (matte, satin, gloss, metallic) followed by screen printing or pad printing for logos, labels, buttons, and graphics. Applied over a primed plastic surface for uniform color and adhesion. Allows custom fabricated plastic parts to match production aesthetics widely used for control panels, instrument faces, enclosures, and marketing/showcase components requiring exact brand color and graphic printing.

painting

Post-fabrication sanding with progressively finer grit sandpaper (typically 240–600 grit) produces a uniform low-gloss matte non-reflective surface. Hides machining marks, scratches, and surface inconsistencies while providing a soft tactile feel. Used for HDPE, UHMW, and nylon components where a durable, non-glare, fingerprint-resistant matte appearance is desired for industrial and functional parts.

standard-surface-finishes-brushed

Thermoforming process that heats plastic sheet (acrylic, polycarbonate, ABS) to its glass transition temperature and bends it over a form tool to create precise angles and curved shapes. Produces clean, smooth bend radii with consistent surface finish no tool marks at the bend. Used for display stands, guards, enclosures, signage, and custom fabricated parts requiring 3D formed shapes from flat sheet stock.

Heat-Formed

Our Alloy steel 1.7131 | 16MnCr5 service capabilities

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Frequently Asked Questions

Alloy steel 1.7131 | 16MnCr5

  • What is the difference between 16MnCr5 and 20MnCr5?

    16MnCr5 has lower carbon content (~0.16%) than 20MnCr5 (~0.20%). This gives 16MnCr5 a slightly softer but tougher core after hardening. 20MnCr5 offers higher core strength. Both are case-hardening steels used for similar gear applications.

  • What hardness can 16MnCr5 reach after heat treatment?

    After carburizing, quenching, and tempering, 16MnCr5 reaches a surface hardness of 58–62 HRC. The core hardness is typically 25–35 HRC, providing toughness and impact resistance. Case depth is usually 0.5–1.5 mm depending on carburizing time.

  • Is 16MnCr5 easy to machine on CNC?

    Yes, in the annealed or normalized condition, 16MnCr5 has good machinability. It cuts cleanly with carbide tools, holds tight tolerances, and produces good surface finishes. Most shops machine it soft, then send it for case hardening as the final step.

  • What tolerances can be held when machining 16MnCr5?

    Before heat treatment, standard tolerances of ±0.05 mm and tight tolerances of ±0.02 mm are achievable. After heat treatment, parts may grow or distort slightly. Critical dimensions are often finish-ground or honed post-hardening to restore tight tolerances.

  • Does 16MnCr5 rust?

    Yes, 16MnCr5 is not stainless steel. It will rust if exposed to moisture without protection. Finished parts are usually oiled, painted, powder-coated, zinc-plated, or black-oxide coated to prevent corrosion. Store raw stock in dry conditions.

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