Steel M36 H&T + Nitrided vs M36 Hardened & Tempered
Steel · M36 temper comparison
M36 H&T + Nitrided and M36 Hardened & Tempered are two conditions of the same steel grade, M36: H&T + Nitrided (hardened & Tempered then surface-nitrided / steam-tempered) 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 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) for M36 H&T + Nitrided, about 8% more; tensile strength follows at 2,500 MPa (363 ksi) vs 2,050 MPa (297 ksi). M36 H&T + Nitrided is harder — 740 HB against 248 HB for M36 Hardened & Tempered — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. On the shop floor, M36 Hardened & Tempered welds better (poor vs not recommended) and M36 Hardened & Tempered forms better (12 vs 1 out of 100).
M36 H&T + NitridedChoose it when surface hardness matters.
M36 Hardened & TemperedChoose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.
M36 H&T + Nitrided 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 H&T + NitridedM36 Hardened & Tempered
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 84 GPa12.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28 · Elongation at Break 0.5% · 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.
Thermal Conductivity
Same in both: 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 · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 600°C1,112 °F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
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 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 H&T + Nitrided vs M36 Hardened & Tempered — frequently asked
Is M36 Hardened & Tempered stronger than M36 H&T + Nitrided?
Yes. M36 Hardened & Tempered has a typical yield strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) against 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) for M36 H&T + Nitrided — about 8% more. Tensile strength is 2,500 MPa (363 ksi) vs 2,050 MPa (297 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, H&T + Nitrided or Hardened & Tempered?
Annealed is the default M36 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither H&T + Nitrided 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, M36 H&T + Nitrided or M36 Hardened & Tempered?
M36 Hardened & Tempered, by a small margin. Both rate not recommended for machinability — 8/100 against 3/100 for M36 H&T + Nitrided; for welding the order is M36 Hardened & Tempered first (poor, 15/100) then M36 H&T + Nitrided (not recommended, 3/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in M36 H&T + Nitrided 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.