Steel D2 Hardened & Tempered vs D2 Nitrided
Steel · D2 temper comparison
D2 Hardened & Tempered and D2 Nitrided are two conditions of the same steel grade, D2: Hardened & Tempered (quenched and tempered) versus Nitrided. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. D2 Nitrided is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) against 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) for D2 Hardened & Tempered, about 9% more. D2 Nitrided is harder — 1,200 HV against 697 HV for D2 Hardened & Tempered — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. D2 Nitrided runs hotter in service (450°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, D2 Hardened & Tempered forms better (poor vs not recommended).
D2 NitridedChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
D2 Hardened & Tempered vs D2 Nitrided: 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 Hardened & TemperedD2 Nitrided
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
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 · Elongation at Break 1% · Hardness, Brinell 220 HB · 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 Hardened & Tempered vs D2 Nitrided — frequently asked
Is D2 Nitrided stronger than D2 Hardened & Tempered?
Yes. D2 Nitrided has a typical yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) against 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) for D2 Hardened & Tempered — about 9% more. Tensile strength is 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) vs 2,000 MPa (290 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Hardened & Tempered or Nitrided?
Annealed is the default D2 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Hardened & Tempered nor Nitrided). 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 welds better, D2 Hardened & Tempered or D2 Nitrided?
D2 Hardened & Tempered. Its weldability rates not recommended (10/100) against not recommended (3/100) for D2 Nitrided.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in D2 Hardened & Tempered and D2 Nitrided 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.