Steel High Carbon Steel-CD vs High Carbon Steel Q&T
Steel · High Carbon Steel temper comparison
High Carbon Steel-CD and High Carbon Steel Q&T are two conditions of the same steel grade, High Carbon Steel: CD (cold drawn) versus Q&T (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. High Carbon Steel Q&T is the stronger of the two: yield strength 950 MPa (138 ksi) against 720 MPa (104 ksi) for High Carbon Steel-CD, about 32% more; tensile strength follows at 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi). High Carbon Steel Q&T is the more ductile: elongation 12% versus 10% for High Carbon Steel-CD, and High Carbon Steel Q&T is harder (350 HB vs 270 HB). High Carbon Steel Q&T runs hotter in service (350°C vs 250°C continuous). On the shop floor, High Carbon Steel-CD machines more easily (fair vs poor).
High Carbon Steel-CDChoose it when the part is machined in volume.
High Carbon Steel Q&TChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
High Carbon Steel-CD vs High Carbon Steel Q&T: 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.
High Carbon Steel-CDHigh Carbon Steel Q&T
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
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: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.85 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.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 47 W/m·K27.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.4 µm/m·K6.3 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 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).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.61 V · Corrosion Resistance 9 / 100
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: Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 25%
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.
High Carbon Steel-CD vs High Carbon Steel Q&T — frequently asked
Is High Carbon Steel Q&T stronger than High Carbon Steel-CD?
Yes. High Carbon Steel Q&T has a typical yield strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) against 720 MPa (104 ksi) for High Carbon Steel-CD — about 32% more. Tensile strength is 1,200 MPa (174 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or Q&T?
HR is the default High Carbon Steel condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither CD nor Q&T). 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, High Carbon Steel-CD or High Carbon Steel Q&T?
High Carbon Steel-CD. Its machinability rates fair (45/100) against poor (28/100) for High Carbon Steel Q&T; for welding the order is High Carbon Steel Q&T first (poor, 25/100) then High Carbon Steel-CD (poor, 20/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in High Carbon Steel-CD and High Carbon Steel Q&T 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.