Steel En52-A vs En52-QT800
Steel · En52 temper comparison
En52-A and En52-QT800 are two conditions of the same steel grade, En52: A (solution annealed) versus QT800 (Q&T). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. En52-QT800 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for En52-A, about 38% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 780 MPa (113 ksi). En52-QT800 is harder — 255 HB against 235 HB for En52-A — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. En52-QT800 runs hotter in service (780°C vs 650°C continuous).
En52-QT800Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
En52-A vs En52-QT800: 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 83 GPa12 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 50%
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,480°C2,696 °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) 11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 260 J/g112 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °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) -0.3 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 30 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 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 60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
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.
En52-A vs En52-QT800 — frequently asked
Is En52-QT800 stronger than En52-A?
Yes. En52-QT800 has a typical yield strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) against 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) for En52-A — about 38% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 780 MPa (113 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, A or QT800?
QT750 is the default En52 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither A nor QT800). 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, En52-A or En52-QT800?
En52-A, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 42/100 against 36/100 for En52-QT800; for welding the order is En52-A first (poor, 32/100) then En52-QT800 (poor, 26/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in En52-A and En52-QT800 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.