8617 vs 8620
These two grades are listed as equivalents of each other: their chemistry windows overlap and they serve the same applications. They are not always identical — check the differences below before substituting, especially in certified designs.
8617
Alloy & Engineering Steel
8617 is a carburizing steel midway between 8615 and 8620 in carbon content, with the same Ni-Cr-Mo alloy package. Many mills supply 8617/8620 dual-certified because their windows overlap heavily.
Standards: AISI 8617
8620
Alloy & Engineering Steel
8620 is the standard carburizing (case-hardening) gear steel of the Americas: a low-carbon Ni-Cr-Mo grade that forms a hard wear-resistant case over a tough core.
Standards: DIN 1.6523 (21NiCrMo2-2) · AISI 8620 · JIS SNCM220 · GB 20CrNiMo
Chemical composition compared (%)
| Element | 8617 | 8620 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.15–0.20 | 0.18–0.23 |
| Si | 0.15–0.35 | 0.15–0.35 |
| Mn | 0.70–0.90 | 0.70–0.90 |
| P | ≤0.035 | — |
| S | ≤0.040 | — |
| Cr | 0.40–0.60 | 0.40–0.60 |
| Ni | 0.40–0.70 | 0.40–0.70 |
| Mo | 0.15–0.25 | 0.15–0.25 |
Properties compared
| Property | 8617 | 8620 |
|---|---|---|
| Case hardness (carburized) | 58–62 HRC | 58–63 HRC |
| Core tensile strength | 700–950 MPa (typ.) | — |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Core tensile | — | 700–950 MPa |
Sourcing either grade?
Nasteel stocks both families from Shenzhen with EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates by heat number.
Ask for a quotationSee full data sheets: 8617 · 8620. Substitution decisions for certified parts stay with the design authority.