5CrMnMo vs H11
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.
5CrMnMo
Tool Steel
5CrMnMo is the nickel-free companion to 5CrNiMo in GB/T 1299: manganese replaces nickel for hardenability in medium forging die blocks. It is the cost-saving standard for smaller hammer and press dies in China.
Standards: DIN — (1.2341 family, near) · AISI H11 family (near) · GB 5CrMnMo
H11
Tool Steel
H11 is a 5% chromium hot work steel similar to H13 but with less vanadium, giving slightly higher toughness and deep air hardening. Used for hot forging, die casting and aerospace structural parts (as the 4340-alternative H11 mod in some specs).
Standards: DIN 1.2343 · AISI H11 · JIS SKD6 · GB 4Cr5MoSiV
Chemical composition compared (%)
| Element | 5CrMnMo | H11 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.50–0.60 | 0.33–0.41 |
| Si | 0.25–0.60 | 0.80–1.20 |
| Mn | 1.20–1.60 | 0.20–0.50 |
| Cr | 0.60–0.90 | 4.80–5.50 |
| Mo | 0.15–0.30 | 1.10–1.50 |
| V | — | 0.30–0.50 |
Properties compared
| Property | 5CrMnMo | H11 |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery condition | Annealed or prehardened | Annealed |
| Working hardness | 34–44 HRC (forging dies) | 44–54 HRC |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ | 7.80 g/cm³ |
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: 5CrMnMo · H11. Substitution decisions for certified parts stay with the design authority.