Steel 1.2601 Nitrided vs 1.2601 Q&T 62-64 HRC
Steel · 1.2601 temper comparison
1.2601 Nitrided and 1.2601 Q&T 62-64 HRC are two conditions of the same steel grade, 1.2601: Nitrided versus Q&T 62-64 HRC (hardened ~980 °C, tempered ~150–180 °C). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 1.2601 Q&T 62-64 HRC is the stronger of the two: yield strength 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) against 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) for 1.2601 Nitrided, about 11% more; tensile strength follows at 2,350 MPa (341 ksi) vs 2,100 MPa (305 ksi). 1.2601 Q&T 62-64 HRC is harder — 63 HRC against 59 HRC for 1.2601 Nitrided — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 1.2601 Nitrided runs hotter in service (250°C vs 160°C continuous).
1.2601 NitridedChoose it when the part sees heat.
1.2601 Q&T 62-64 HRCChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
1.2601 Nitrided vs 1.2601 Q&T 62-64 HRC: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
1.2601 Nitrided1.2601 Q&T 62-64 HRC
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 81 GPa11.7 Msi · Bulk Modulus 165 GPa23.9 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Elongation at Break 0.5% · Reduction in Area 20% · Hardness, Brinell 230 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 98 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,260°C2,300 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,400°C2,552 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 20 W/m·K11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.8 µm/m·K6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.7 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m25.2 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Polishability 75 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 65 L/kg7.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
1.2601 Nitrided vs 1.2601 Q&T 62-64 HRC — frequently asked
Is 1.2601 Q&T 62-64 HRC stronger than 1.2601 Nitrided?
Yes. 1.2601 Q&T 62-64 HRC has a typical yield strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) against 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) for 1.2601 Nitrided — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 2,350 MPa (341 ksi) vs 2,100 MPa (305 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Nitrided or Q&T 62-64 HRC?
Annealed is the default 1.2601 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Nitrided nor Q&T 62-64 HRC). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
When should I choose 1.2601 Nitrided over 1.2601 Q&T 62-64 HRC?
Pick 1.2601 Nitrided when the part sees heat. Pick 1.2601 Q&T 62-64 HRC when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1.2601 Nitrided and 1.2601 Q&T 62-64 HRC side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.