Steel M36 Annealed vs M36 Hardened & Tempered
Steel · M36 temper comparison
M36 Annealed and M36 Hardened & Tempered are two conditions of the same steel grade, M36: Annealed versus Hardened & Tempered (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. M36 Hardened & Tempered is the stronger of the two: yield strength 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for M36 Annealed, about 3.8 times as much; tensile strength follows at 2,500 MPa (363 ksi) vs 880 MPa (128 ksi). In exchange, M36 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 0.5% for M36 Hardened & Tempered, and M36 Hardened & Tempered is harder (900 HV vs 260 HV). M36 Hardened & Tempered runs hotter in service (600°C vs 500°C continuous). On the shop floor, M36 Annealed machines more easily (poor vs not recommended).
M36 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
M36 Hardened & TemperedChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
M36 Annealed vs M36 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.
M36 AnnealedM36 Hardened & Tempered
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 217 GPa31.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 84 GPa12.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Reduction in Area 22% · Hardness, Brinell 248 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 100 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8.19 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,455°C2,651 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 22 W/m·K12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 260 J/g112 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 18 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Same in both: Weldability 15 / 100 · Formability (cold) 12 / 100 · Castability 25 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 65 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 70 MJ/kg30,095 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 90 L/kg10.8 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.
M36 Annealed vs M36 Hardened & Tempered — frequently asked
Is M36 Hardened & Tempered stronger than M36 Annealed?
Yes. M36 Hardened & Tempered has a typical yield strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for M36 Annealed — about 3.8 times as much. Tensile strength is 2,500 MPa (363 ksi) vs 880 MPa (128 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Hardened & Tempered?
Annealed is the default M36 condition in the FabDigit quote flow. 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, M36 Annealed or M36 Hardened & Tempered?
M36 Annealed. Its machinability rates poor (26/100) against not recommended (8/100) for M36 Hardened & Tempered.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in M36 Annealed and M36 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.