EN

Choose language

Product searchRequest a quote
EN

Choose language

Menu
Site index07 entries
GV SteelsEstablished 2008
Resources/Materials & grades/655M13 / EN36A

Materials & grades

655M13 (EN36A) case-hardening steel: equivalents 15NiCr13 (1.5752), SNC815 and 13Ni13Cr3

655M13, formerly EN36A, is a UK case-hardening steel with about 3.25 % nickel and 0.8 % chromium, used for heavily loaded gears and shafts in large sections. Its European equivalent is 15NiCr13 (1.5752), formerly DIN 14NiCr14, and Japan's SNC815 is a close equivalent.

Names by standard

What it is called in each region

RegionSystemDesignationStandardMatch
USAAISI/SAE3310Listed against EN36A by Smiths Metal Centres and Liberty Speciality Steels. 3310 has about 1.5 % chromium (1.40–1.75 %), double 655M13's.—Closest equivalent
AISI/SAE9310Listed with 3310 by the same suppliers, but 9310 has 1.00–1.40 % chromium and 0.08–0.15 % molybdenum.SAE J404Closest equivalent
UKBS 970655M13BS 970 has been withdrawn.BS 970-3:1991Same material
BS 970 legacy EN seriesEN36ASuperseded name for 655M13.BS 970 (original edition)Same material
BS 970832M13 (EN36C)Adds molybdenum; higher hardenability.BS 970 (older parts; not in BS 970-3:1991)Closest equivalent
EUEN 10027-1 name15NiCr13Carbon 0.14–0.20 %, nickel 3.00–3.50 %, chromium 0.60–0.90 %.EN 10084:2008Equivalent
EN 10027-2 number1.5752Material number of 15NiCr13.EN 10084Equivalent
DIN (legacy)14NiCr14Superseded German name for 1.5752, quoted against EN36A by UK and Australian suppliers.—Equivalent
IndiaIS 443213Ni13Cr3Carbon 0.10–0.15 %, nickel 3.00–3.50 %, chromium 0.60–1.00 %.IS 4432:1988Closest equivalent
JapanJIS G 4053SNC815Carbon 0.12–0.18 %, nickel 3.00–3.50 %, chromium 0.60–1.00 %.JIS G 4053Equivalent
JIS G 4052SNC815HHardenability-guaranteed version of SNC815.JIS G 4052Closest equivalent

On equivalence

  • 655M13 (BS 970-3:1991) replaced EN36A (BS 970 (original edition)). They are the same steel under two naming systems, so both are listed as the same here.
  • UK sources disagree on the composition. Interlloy and Vulcan tabulate 0.10–0.16 % carbon and 0.70–1.00 % chromium for 655M13. Liberty Speciality Steels and Smiths Metal Centres quote 0.12–0.18 % carbon and 0.60–1.10 % chromium for EN36, the older analysis. Check the mill certificate.
  • 15NiCr13 (1.5752), formerly DIN 14NiCr14, is a close equivalent. It has more carbon (0.14–0.20 %) than the voestalpine figure for 655M13 and 0.60–0.90 % chromium.
  • SAE 3310 and 9310 are often listed beside EN36A but neither matches it. 3310 has about 1.5 % chromium and 9310 has 1.00–1.40 % chromium and added molybdenum. Treat both as closest.
  • EN36C (832M13) is the molybdenum-bearing sibling with higher hardenability. It is the UK grade nearer 9310. See the 9310 page.
  • IS 4432 grade 13Ni13Cr3 has about the same nickel and chromium as 655M13 but a lower carbon range (0.10–0.15 %). Japan's SNC815 is a close match with 0.12–0.18 % carbon.
  • The 655M13 sulfur limit here (≤0.040 %) is the figure Interlloy and Vulcan print. A third-party copy of a BS 970-3 table note gives a general limit of sulfur ≤0.050 % and phosphorus ≤0.040 % for alloy case-hardening grades. Check the mill certificate.

Chemical composition

Composition limits, mass %

Element9310 (comparison)USA · SAE J404 (as tabulated by MakeItFrom)655M13UK · BS 970-3:1991 (as tabulated by Interlloy and Vulcan)EN36 (655M13)UK · As quoted by Liberty Speciality Steels and Smiths Metal Centres15NiCr13 (1.5752)EU · EN 1008413Ni13Cr3India · IS 4432:1988SNC815Japan · JIS G 4053
C0.08–0.130.10–0.160.12–0.180.14–0.200.10–0.150.12–0.18
Si—0.10–0.400.10–0.35≤0.400.15–0.350.15–0.35
Mn0.45–0.650.35–0.600.30–0.600.40–0.700.40–0.700.35–0.65
P—≤0.040≤0.050≤0.025≤0.035≤0.030
S—≤0.040≤0.050≤0.035≤0.035≤0.030
Cr1.00–1.400.70–1.000.60–1.100.60–0.900.60–1.000.60–1.00
Ni3.00–3.503.00–3.753.00–3.753.00–3.503.00–3.503.00–3.50
Mo0.08–0.15—————

Mechanical properties

Strength and hardness

ConditionTensile strengthYield strengthElongationHardness
Annealed, typicalTypical values, not minimums; maximum 255 HB as suppliedEN36A supplier data sheet102–112 ksi (700–770 MPa)78 ksi (540 MPa)25 (5.65√S0) %212 HB typical
As supplied to BS 970-3:1991 (655M13), blank carburized19 mm test bar; specified minimums; Izod ≥40 J, Charpy ≥35 JEN36A supplier data sheet citing BS 970-3:1991≥145 ksi (≥1000 MPa)—≥9 %—
Blank case hardened, typical19 mm test piece; typical values; Izod 40 J, reduction of area 50 %Liberty Speciality Steels; Smiths Metal Centres160 ksi (1100 MPa)—15 %341 HB
Core after carburizing, 11 mm sectionAs published by voestalpine (listed for 9310 / 1.5752 / EN36A)voestalpine HPM data sheet142–186 ksi (980–1280 MPa)114 ksi (785 MPa)8 %—
Core after carburizing, 30 mm sectionAs published by voestalpine (listed for 9310 / 1.5752 / EN36A)voestalpine HPM data sheet128–171 ksi (880–1180 MPa)111 ksi (765 MPa)9 %—
Core after carburizing, 63 mm sectionAs published by voestalpine (listed for 9310 / 1.5752 / EN36A)voestalpine HPM data sheet113–157 ksi (780–1080 MPa)92 ksi (635 MPa)10 %—
Oil quenched from 830 °C, tempered at 200 °CTypical values, 50 mm section; Izod 95 JEN36A supplier data sheet165 ksi (1140 MPa)130 ksi (896 MPa)20 %340 HB
Core of case-hardened test bar (13Ni13Cr3)16 mm diameter; tensile range, yield and elongation minimums; elongation on 5.65√A gaugeIS 4432:1988, Table 4145–189 ksi (1000–1300 MPa)≥104 ksi (≥720 MPa)≥8 %—
Core of case-hardened test bar (13Ni13Cr3)30 mm diameter; tensile range, yield and elongation minimumsIS 4432:1988, Table 4131–181 ksi (900–1250 MPa)≥94 ksi (≥650 MPa)≥9 %—
Core of case-hardened test bar (13Ni13Cr3)63 mm diameter; tensile range, yield and elongation minimumsIS 4432:1988, Table 4123–174 ksi (850–1200 MPa)≥87 ksi (≥600 MPa)≥10 %—

In practice

Behavior, heat treatment and uses

Characteristics

  • A 3.2 % nickel-chromium case-hardening steel with high hardenability: high core strength, toughness and fatigue resistance in relatively large sections, with case hardness up to about 62 HRC (supplier data sheet).
  • Can also be used uncarburized, hardened and tempered, as a high-tensile steel.
  • Does not respond to flame or induction hardening because of its low carbon content.
  • Hardened and tempered (uncarburized) it can be nitrided at about 490–530 °C to about 60 HRC. The high nickel lowers case hardness or lengthens the cycle compared with other alloy grades (supplier data sheet).
  • Very good machinability in the annealed condition and readily weldable in the annealed supplied condition (Smiths Metal Centres).

Heat treatment

  • Forging: heat to about 1150 °C and do not forge below about 850 °C; cool slowly (supplier data sheet).
  • Annealing: about 830–850 °C, furnace cool; voestalpine gives 650–700 °C with slow cooling.
  • Normalizing: about 880–920 °C, cool in still air, then temper at 650–660 °C for better machinability; voestalpine gives 850–880 °C.
  • Carburizing: about 900–950 °C (supplier data sheet); voestalpine gives 880–950 °C; IS 4432 gives 890–940 °C for 13Ni13Cr3.
  • Core refining: reheat to about 830–880 °C and oil quench, water quench or air cool (supplier data sheet); IS 4432 gives 860–880 °C.
  • Case hardening: reheat to about 760–800 °C and oil quench, then temper immediately (supplier data sheet); IS 4432 gives 790–830 °C.
  • Tempering: about 150–200 °C, 1–2 hours per 25 mm of section (supplier data sheet).
  • Stress relieving: about 600–650 °C, 1 hour per 25 mm, cool in still air (supplier data sheet).

Typical uses

  • Heavy-duty gears and ring gears
  • Crankshafts and connecting rods
  • Shafts, couplings and king pins
  • Heavy-duty bushings, collets and conveyor pins
  • Sprockets

Alloy and case-hardening steels

Similar grades compared

GradeC %Mn %Cr %Ni %Tensile strength, first listed condition
655M13 / EN36A0.08–0.130.45–0.651.00–1.403.00–3.50102–112 ksi (700–770 MPa)
16MnCr50.13–0.180.70–0.900.70–0.90≤0.25≥145 ksi (≥1000 MPa)
18CrNiMo7-60.15–0.210.50–0.901.50–1.801.40–1.70171–206 ksi (1180–1420 MPa)
20MnCr50.17–0.220.70–0.900.70–0.90≤0.25≥174 ksi (≥1200 MPa)
815M17 / EN3530.14–0.200.60–0.900.80–1.201.20–1.50≥174 ksi (≥1200 MPa)
4320 / SNCM4200.17–0.220.45–0.650.40–0.601.65–2.0084.1 ksi (580 MPa)
8620 / 20NiCrMo2-20.18–0.230.70–0.900.40–0.600.40–0.7077 ksi (530 MPa)
93100.08–0.130.45–0.651.00–1.403.00–3.50187 ksi (1289 MPa)
4130 / 25CrMo40.28–0.330.40–0.600.80–1.10≤0.2585–110 ksi (590–760 MPa)
4135 / 34CrMo40.33–0.380.70–0.900.80–1.10≤0.25145–174 ksi (1000–1200 MPa)

Composition from the US standard where one exists, otherwise the first standard listed on each grade's page. Strength conditions differ between grades; open a grade's page for its full table.

Questions answered

Common questions

What is the equivalent of EN36A?

655M13 is the current BS 970 name. The EN equivalent is 15NiCr13 (1.5752), formerly DIN 14NiCr14, and the Japanese equivalent is SNC815. India lists 13Ni13Cr3 in IS 4432 as the closest.

Is EN36 the same as 9310?

No. EN36A (655M13) has no molybdenum and 0.70–1.00 % chromium, while 9310 has 1.00–1.40 % chromium and 0.08–0.15 % molybdenum. Some suppliers list them together, but they are not interchangeable for critical work.

What is the difference between EN36A and EN36C?

EN36C (832M13) adds molybdenum to the 3 % nickel-chromium base of EN36A (655M13). The molybdenum raises hardenability and core strength.

Is EN36 weldable?

Smiths Metal Centres describes it as readily weldable in the annealed supplied condition. Weld before carburizing and heat treat afterwards.

What is EN36A used for?

Heavily loaded carburized parts in large sections: gears, ring gears, shafts, king pins, heavy-duty bushings, sprockets and crankshafts.

From the GV Steels range

Need parts to this specification? We source to order.

Send the drawing, the material or grade, the finish, the quantity and the delivery location. GV reviews the requirement and sources it through qualified manufacturing partners.

Request a quote

Keep reading

93109310 is a nickel-chromium-molybdenum carburizing steel with about 0.10 % carbon and 3.25 % nickel, used for highly stressed aerospace gears and shafts.8620 / 20NiCrMo2-28620 is a low-alloy nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel with about 0.20 % carbon, supplied for carburizing to give a hard case over a tough core in gears, shafts and pins.16MnCr516MnCr5 (1.7131) is a manganese-chromium case-hardening steel with 0.14–0.19 % carbon, used for gears, shafts and camshafts that are carburized and hardened.20MnCr520MnCr5 (1.7147) is a manganese-chromium case-hardening steel with 0.17–0.22 % carbon and a higher core strength than 16MnCr5, used for gears, shafts and cam parts.4340 / EN24AISI 4340 is a medium-carbon nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy steel, used hardened and tempered where high strength and toughness are needed in large sections.Quenching and temperingQuenching and tempering hardens steel by cooling it rapidly from the austenite range to form martensite, then reheats it below Ac1 to trade some hardness for toughness.AnnealingAnnealing heats steel to a set temperature, holds it and cools it slowly to make it softer, more ductile and easier to machine or cold form.NormalizingNormalizing heats steel above its upper critical temperature and lets it cool in still air to give a fine, uniform ferrite–pearlite structure.SAE / AISI numbersA four-digit SAE/AISI number such as 1045 or 4140 names a carbon or alloy steel by its chemistry: the first two digits identify the steel family and the last two give the nominal carbon content in hundredths of a percent.EN 10027 names and numbersEuropean steels carry two identifiers under EN 10027: a steel name (Part 1) such as S235JR, C45 or 42CrMo4 that describes the steel's use or chemistry, and a material number (Part 2) such as 1.0503 or 1.7225.BS 970 and the EN seriesBS 970 names steels with a six-character code such as 080M40, in which the first three digits give the steel type, the letter says how the steel is specified and the last two digits give the carbon content.IS 1570 and Indian designationsIndian steel names follow the letter-symbol code in IS 1762 (Part 1), which the IS 1570 schedules use: 45C8 means about 0.45% carbon, C for carbon steel and about 0.8% manganese, while alloy names such as 40Cr4Mo3 list each element with a multiplied content figure.JIS steel designationsJapanese JIS steel symbols start with S for steel and add letters for the steel family or its use, but the number means different things in different standards.

References

Sources

  1. IS 4432:1988 Case hardening steels (public copy) — Grades, composition (Table 1), core properties of case-hardened test bars (Table 4) and heat-treatment guidance.
  2. Kobelco: wire rod and bar standard tables (JIS G 4053 alloy steels for machine structure) — JIS G 4053 composition tables (2008 revision).
  3. voestalpine High Performance Metals: AISI 9310 / 1.5752 / EN36A data sheet (2026) — Typical analysis, heat treatment, annealed hardness and carburized core properties.
  4. EN36A case hardening steel supplier data sheet (BS 970 655M13, W.Nr 1.5752) — Composition, BS 970-3 test requirements, typical properties and detailed heat treatment.
  5. Liberty Speciality Steels: EN36 (655M13) data sheet — EN36 analysis and typical blank-hardened properties; lists 1.5752 and SAE 3310 / 9310.
  6. Smiths Metal Centres: EN36 technical data sheet — Related specifications, composition, weldability and machinability.
  7. AUSA: case hardening steel 15NiCr13 — 15NiCr13 composition per EN 10084 and equivalents (DIN 14NiCr14, 1.5752).
  8. SteelNumber: 15NiCr13 / 1.5752 — EN 10084 composition and supply hardness; lists BS 655M13.
  9. Textron Steel Alloys: EN36C / 832M13 — 832M13 composition and note that it adds molybdenum.
  10. Total Materia: SAE 3310 — 3310 chromium limits.
  11. MakeItFrom: SAE-AISI 9310 (1.6657, G93106) Ni-Cr-Mo steel — SAE 9310 composition limits used for comparison.
  12. Vulcan Engineering Steels: case hardening steels (EN36A) — 655M13 composition as tabulated for BS 970-3:1991 (phosphorus and sulfur 0.04 % max).

Values summarize published limits and typical data. The governing standard and the current edition control; check them before specifying.