Machining DataSheet for

General Information:
Material GroupP - Steel
Sub-GroupLow Alloy Steel
Tensile Strength650 [N/mm^2]
Machinability84%

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Machining Steel 5120

Steel 5120 is a low-alloy steel with a carbon content of 0.2% and additional 1.6% content of manganese, chromium. (See details in the below table). Steel 5120 has a machinability rating of 84%.

Low alloy steels are very popular in machine shops. The small amount of alloying elements enhances their mechanical properties and hardenability without a significant sacrifice in terms of machinability.

You can find here a list of machinability Ratings for different Low Alloy Steels.

Summery:

  • For general Turning of Steel 5120 at stable conditions use a grade with a Hard substrate and CVD coating.
  • In case you are running at a cutting speed that is lower than 490 SFM (150 m/min), it is better to use a grade with a
    • Hard substrate and PVD coating.
  • For general Milling use a grade with a Semi Hard substrate and PVD coating.
  • For detailed carbide grades recommendations, check the Below Chart, or use the Grades Wizrad.
  • Recommended Cutting speed range for turning at stable conditions is 1030 - 1390 [SFM] / 315 - 425 [m/min].
  • Recommended Cutting speed range for milling with stable clamping and short overhang is 640 - 870 [SFM] / 195 - 265 [m/min]
  • For detailed cutting speed recomendations, check the Below Table, or use our Speed and Feed Calculator.

    • Equivalent International Designations for Steel 5120

    Standard Name
    sae5120
    wnr1.0841
    dinSt52-3
    bs150M19
    ss2172
    anfor20MC5
    uniFe52BFN/Fe52CFN
    unfF.431

    Chemical Composition for Steel 5120

    Element Amount
    Manganese (Mn).70-.90%
    Chromium (Cr).70-.90%
    Carbon (C).17-.22%

    Cutting Speeds Recomendations for Steel 5120

    * Click on the speeds below for higher precision in specific conditions!

    ApplicationVc (m/min)Vc (SFM)
    Turning315-4251030-1390
    Milling195-265640-870
    Parting150-205490-670
    Grooving175-235570-770
    Drilling125-170410-560

    Important! The speed estimation is given for an ideal situation:

    • Most suitable carbide grade
    • Stable tool clamping
    • Stable workpiece clamping
    • Good quality raw material
    • A short overhang of the cutting tool.
    • Nominal hardness of the material.
    • etc.
    Click on the speeds in the above table to get better precision for specific parameters
    Or use our Speed and Feed Calculator


    Recommended Carbide Grades for Steel 5120

    * If you do nott understand the below table? Read This Explanation to make the most out of it!

    Grade for Turning

    Grade for Parting Off

    Grade for Grooving

    Grade for Milling (Indexable)

    Recommended Insert Cutting Edge Geometry for Steel 5120

    Honing Size:0.05-0.08 mm / 0.002-0.003"
    Rake Angle:11° -13°
    Land Angle:Positive
    Land Width:0.20-0.30 mm / 0.008-0.012"

    Learn more about carbide inserts Cutting-Edge Geometry Parameters.

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