Overview

20CrMnTi Steel is a low-carbon chromium-manganese-titanium alloy steel specifically designed for carburizing and case-hardening applications. It is one of the most widely used gear steels in China due to its excellent combination of wear resistance, fatigue strength, core toughness, machinability, and heat treatment performance.

The addition of titanium refines grain structure and improves hardenability, making 20CrMnTi superior to 20Cr for demanding transmission and gear applications.

20CrMnTi is widely used in:

• Automotive Transmission Gears
• Differential Gears
• Gear Shafts
• Spline Shafts
• Pinions
• Synchronizer Components
• Heavy Machinery Components
• Agricultural Equipment

Because of its excellent carburizing performance and cost-effectiveness, 20CrMnTi is considered the standard gear steel for automotive and industrial transmission systems in China.

Engineering Material Guide

20CrMnTi Alloy Steel

A low-carbon chromium-manganese-titanium alloy steel engineered for carburized gears, transmission components, and high-load mechanical systems.

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GB/T 3077 Material standard

58–62 HRC Surface hardness

7.85 g/cm³ Density

Core hardness 30–42 HRC

01 / Overview

Built for demanding gear systems.

20CrMnTi is a low-carbon chromium-manganese-titanium alloy steel designed specifically for carburizing and case-hardening applications.

It combines high surface wear resistance with a tough internal core. Titanium refines the grain structure and improves hardenability, making the material particularly suitable for gears, pinions, shafts, and power-transmission components.

Because of its reliable heat-treatment response and cost-effectiveness, 20CrMnTi is widely used as a standard automotive and industrial gear steel in China.

Common applications

01 Automotive transmission gears

02 Differential and planetary gears

03 Gear shafts and spline shafts

04 Pinions and synchronizer components

05 Agricultural and heavy machinery

02 / Material Data

Key specifications at a glance.

Designation 20CrMnTi Chromium-manganese-titanium steel

Standard GB/T 3077 Chinese alloy structural steel

Density 7.85 g/cm³ At room temperature

Supply condition Annealed Also supplied normalized

Elastic modulus 206 GPa Normalized condition

Available forms Bar & Forging Gear blanks, shafts and plate

Chemical Composition

Weight percentage

Element	Symbol	Content
Carbon	C	0.17–0.23%
Chromium	Cr	1.00–1.30%
Manganese	Mn	0.80–1.10%
Titanium	Ti	0.04–0.10%
Silicon	Si	0.17–0.37%
Phosphorus	P	≤0.030%
Sulfur	S	≤0.030%

Physical Properties

Typical reference values

Property	Value
Density	7.85 g/cm³
Melting point	1420–1510°C
Thermal conductivity	42 W/m·K
Electrical resistivity	0.22 μΩ·m
Thermal expansion	11.6 × 10⁻⁶/K
Specific heat	460 J/kg·K

03 / Performance

Hard surface. Tough core.

In its normalized condition, 20CrMnTi remains readily machinable. After carburizing and quenching, it develops a hard wear-resistant case while preserving a tough, impact-resistant core.

Tensile strength ≥835 MPa

Yield strength ≥540 MPa

Reduction of area ≥45%

Surface hardness 58–62 HRC after carburizing

Core hardness 30–42 HRC after heat treatment

Wear resistance Outstanding Suitable for gears and pinions

Impact toughness Excellent Maintains a tough internal core

04 / Heat Treatment

Engineered through controlled heat.

01

Annealing 820–860°C

Furnace cooling for machinability and stress control.

02

Carburizing 900–950°C

Produces a case depth of approximately 0.8–2.5 mm.

03

Quenching 820–850°C

Oil quenching develops hardness and core strength.

04

Tempering 150–200°C

Relieves stress while retaining high surface hardness.

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05 / Applications

Designed for power transmission.

Automotive

Transmission Systems

Transmission gears, differential gears, synchronizer hubs and drive components.

Industrial

Gear Manufacturing

Spur gears, helical gears, planetary gears, pinions and precision gear shafts.

Agriculture

Agricultural Equipment

PTO systems, gearboxes, transmission assemblies and rotating drive components.

Heavy Machinery

Construction Equipment

Gear systems, drive shafts, couplings and wear-resistant mechanical components.

06 / Comparison

How 20CrMnTi compares.

Property	20CrMnTi	20Cr	SAE 8620	SAE 9310	20MnCr5
Titanium content	Yes	No	No	No	No
Carburizing ability	Outstanding	Excellent	Outstanding	Exceptional	Outstanding
Fatigue resistance	Excellent	Good	Excellent	Exceptional	Excellent
Core toughness	Excellent	Good	Excellent	Outstanding	Excellent
Gear applications	Outstanding	Good	Excellent	Exceptional	Excellent
Closest standard	GB/T 3077	GB/T 3077	SAE/AISI	SAE/AISI	EN 10084

Functional finishes Carburizing Carbonitriding Precision grinding Gear-tooth grinding

Protective finishes Black oxide Zinc plating Phosphate coating Electroless nickel

Special treatments QPQ treatment Heat treatment Shot peening Laser marking

07 / FAQ

Common questions.

What is 20CrMnTi steel? +

20CrMnTi is a low-carbon chromium-manganese-titanium alloy steel designed primarily for carburized gears and transmission components.

What hardness can 20CrMnTi achieve? +

After carburizing and quenching, it typically achieves 58–62 HRC surface hardness and 30–42 HRC core hardness.

What is the closest international equivalent? +

There is no exact equivalent. EN 20MnCr5 and DIN 1.7147 are generally considered the closest alternatives, with AISI 4820 sometimes listed as an approximate match.

Can GCNOV manufacture custom 20CrMnTi parts? +

Yes. GCNOV supports CNC turning, milling, gear hobbing, carburizing, carbonitriding, precision grinding, prototyping and volume production.

Custom 20CrMnTi Manufacturing

Turn your gear design into production-ready components.

Send your CAD files, drawings, heat-treatment requirements, tolerances, and quantities for an engineering quotation.

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Material Specification

Chemical Composition

Titanium improves grain refinement and enhances mechanical properties after heat treatment.

Mechanical Properties

Normalized Condition

Carburized & Quenched Condition

Physical Properties

Corrosion Resistance

20CrMnTi is not a corrosion-resistant steel and generally requires surface protection.

Recommended surface treatments:

• Carburizing
• Carbonitriding
• Black Oxide
• Phosphate Coating
• Zinc Plating
• QPQ Treatment
• Electroless Nickel Plating

Weldability

Due to its low carbon content, 20CrMnTi offers relatively good weldability before heat treatment.

Recommended:

• Preheat for thick sections
• Stress Relief after Welding

Machinability

Machinability Comparison

20CrMnTi is typically machined before carburizing and finish grinding.

Heat Treatment

Annealing

Normalizing

Carburizing

Quenching

Tempering

Carbonitriding

International Equivalent Grades

Note: 20CrMnTi has no exact international equivalent. EN 20MnCr5 is generally considered the closest alternative for gear manufacturing applications.

Available Forms

Typical Applications

Automotive Industry

• Transmission Gears
• Differential Gears
• Synchronizer Hubs
• Drive Components

Gear Manufacturing

• Spur Gears
• Helical Gears
• Planetary Gears
• Gear Shafts

Agricultural Equipment

• PTO Systems
• Gearboxes
• Drive Assemblies
• Transmission Components

Construction Machinery

• Gear Systems
• Drive Shafts
• Wear Components

Industrial Machinery

• Power Transmission Components
• Couplings
• Spline Shafts
• Rotating Equipment

General Engineering

• Carburized Components
• Wear Parts
• Mechanical Assemblies

Manufacturing Characteristics

Advantages

Excellent Carburizing Performance

Produces a hard, wear-resistant surface with a tough core.

Outstanding Fatigue Resistance

Ideal for gears and transmission systems.

Excellent Core Toughness

Maintains impact resistance under heavy loads.

Superior Gear Performance

Widely used in automotive transmissions.

Good Machinability

Easy to process before heat treatment.

Cost Effective

More economical than premium alloy gear steels.

Limitations

Limited Corrosion Resistance

Requires protective coatings.

Requires Carburizing

Maximum performance depends on proper heat treatment.

Lower Performance Than 9310

Not suitable for aerospace-grade gear systems.

Not Ideal for Through-Hardening

Designed primarily for case-hardened applications.

Comparison with Other Gear Steels

Comparison with Engineering Materials

Available Surface Finishes

Raw Finishes

• Hot Rolled Finish
• Annealed Finish
• Normalized Finish
• Precision Machined Finish

Functional Finishes

• Carburized Finish
• Carbonitrided Finish
• Precision Ground Finish
• Gear Tooth Grinding Finish

Protective Finishes

• Black Oxide
• Zinc Plating
• Phosphate Coating
• Electroless Nickel Plating
• QPQ Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is 20CrMnTi steel?

20CrMnTi is a low-carbon chromium-manganese-titanium alloy steel designed primarily for carburized gears and transmission components.

What is 20CrMnTi used for?

Typical applications include:

• Automotive Gears
• Gear Shafts
• Pinions
• Differential Components
• Power Transmission Systems

What is the difference between 20CrMnTi and 20Cr?

What is the equivalent material to 20CrMnTi?

The closest international equivalents include:

• EN 20MnCr5
• DIN 1.7147
• Similar to AISI 4820

Is 20CrMnTi suitable for gears?

Yes. It is one of the most widely used gear steels in the automotive industry.

Can 20CrMnTi be carburized?

Yes. It is specifically developed for carburizing and case-hardening applications.

What hardness can 20CrMnTi achieve?

After carburizing and quenching:

• Surface Hardness: 58–62 HRC
• Core Hardness: 30–42 HRC

Is 20CrMnTi better than 20Cr?

For gears and transmission systems, yes. It offers improved fatigue strength, wear resistance, and hardenability.

Can 20CrMnTi be welded?

Yes, before heat treatment. Proper procedures are recommended for critical components.

Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for 20CrMnTi?

Yes. GCNOV provides:

• CNC Turning
• CNC Milling
• Gear Manufacturing
• Gear Hobbing
• Carburizing
• Carbonitriding
• Precision Grinding
• QPQ Treatment
• Prototype Development
• Low-Volume Production
• Mass Production