Steel A2 Hardened & Tempered vs A2 HT 54-56 HRC
Steel · A2 temper comparison
A2 Hardened & Tempered and A2 HT 54-56 HRC are two conditions of the same steel grade, A2: Hardened & Tempered (quenched and tempered) versus HT 54-56 HRC (hardened & Tempered 54–56 HRC). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. A2 Hardened & Tempered is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) against 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) for A2 HT 54-56 HRC, about 15% more; tensile strength follows at 2,150 MPa (312 ksi) vs 1,900 MPa (276 ksi). In exchange, A2 HT 54-56 HRC is the more ductile: elongation 3% versus 1.5% for A2 Hardened & Tempered, and A2 Hardened & Tempered is harder (700 HV vs 595 HV). A2 HT 54-56 HRC runs hotter in service (400°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, A2 HT 54-56 HRC machines more easily (poor vs not recommended).
A2 Hardened & TemperedChoose it when strength drives the design.
A2 HT 54-56 HRCChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
A2 Hardened & Tempered vs A2 HT 54-56 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.
A2 Hardened & TemperedA2 HT 54-56 HRC
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 78 GPa11.3 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Hardness, Brinell 217 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 96 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.86 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,465°C2,669 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 10.7 µm/m·K5.9 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 20 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Weldability 10 / 100 · Castability 20 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 36 MJ/kg15,477 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 65 L/kg7.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 35%
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.
A2 Hardened & Tempered vs A2 HT 54-56 HRC — frequently asked
Is A2 Hardened & Tempered stronger than A2 HT 54-56 HRC?
Yes. A2 Hardened & Tempered has a typical yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) against 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) for A2 HT 54-56 HRC — about 15% more. Tensile strength is 2,150 MPa (312 ksi) vs 1,900 MPa (276 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Hardened & Tempered or HT 54-56 HRC?
Annealed is the default A2 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Hardened & Tempered nor HT 54-56 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.
Which is easier to machine, A2 Hardened & Tempered or A2 HT 54-56 HRC?
A2 HT 54-56 HRC. Its machinability rates poor (18/100) against not recommended (8/100) for A2 Hardened & Tempered.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A2 Hardened & Tempered and A2 HT 54-56 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.