Steel D2 H&T 54-56 HRC vs D2 Hardened & Tempered
Steel · D2 temper comparison
D2 H&T 54-56 HRC and D2 Hardened & Tempered are two conditions of the same steel grade, D2: H&T 54-56 HRC (high-temper (≈540–560 °C) toughness-biased condition) versus Hardened & Tempered (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. D2 Hardened & Tempered is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) against 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) for D2 H&T 54-56 HRC, about 10% more; tensile strength follows at 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) vs 1,800 MPa (261 ksi). In exchange, D2 H&T 54-56 HRC is the more ductile: elongation 2% versus 1% for D2 Hardened & Tempered, and D2 H&T 54-56 HRC is harder (560 HB vs 220 HB). D2 H&T 54-56 HRC runs hotter in service (450°C vs 200°C continuous).
D2 H&T 54-56 HRCChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
D2 Hardened & TemperedChoose it when strength drives the design.
D2 H&T 54-56 HRC vs D2 Hardened & Tempered: 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.
D2 H&T 54-56 HRCD2 Hardened & Tempered
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
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, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Rockwell B 97 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,421°C2,590 °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) 10.5 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.35 V
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: Castability 25 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 35 / 100 · Polishability 65 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 36 MJ/kg15,477 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 3 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 45%
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.
D2 H&T 54-56 HRC vs D2 Hardened & Tempered — frequently asked
Is D2 Hardened & Tempered stronger than D2 H&T 54-56 HRC?
Yes. D2 Hardened & Tempered has a typical yield strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) against 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) for D2 H&T 54-56 HRC — about 10% more. Tensile strength is 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) vs 1,800 MPa (261 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, H&T 54-56 HRC or Hardened & Tempered?
Annealed is the default D2 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither H&T 54-56 HRC nor Hardened & Tempered). 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, D2 H&T 54-56 HRC or D2 Hardened & Tempered?
D2 H&T 54-56 HRC, by a small margin. Both rate not recommended for machinability — 12/100 against 5/100 for D2 Hardened & Tempered; for welding the order is D2 Hardened & Tempered first (not recommended, 10/100) then D2 H&T 54-56 HRC (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in D2 H&T 54-56 HRC and D2 Hardened & Tempered 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.