Steel Medium Carbon Steel Annealed vs Medium Carbon Steel Q&T
Steel · Medium Carbon Steel temper comparison
Medium Carbon Steel Annealed and Medium Carbon Steel Q&T are two conditions of the same steel grade, Medium Carbon Steel: Annealed versus Q&T (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. Medium Carbon Steel Q&T is the stronger of the two: yield strength 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for Medium Carbon Steel Annealed, about 116% more; tensile strength follows at 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi). In exchange, Medium Carbon Steel Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 16% for Medium Carbon Steel Q&T, and Medium Carbon Steel Q&T is harder (250 HB vs 156 HB). On the shop floor, Medium Carbon Steel Annealed welds better (good vs fair).
Medium Carbon Steel AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when it will be welded.
Medium Carbon Steel Q&TChoose it when strength drives the design.
Medium Carbon Steel Annealed vs Medium 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.
Medium Carbon Steel AnnealedMedium 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 B
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 · Compressive Strength 330 MPa47.9 ksi
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 1,495°C2,723 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 486 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 247 J/g106 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 10 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.62 V · Corrosion Resistance 12 / 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 60 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 40 L/kg4.8 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.
Medium Carbon Steel Annealed vs Medium Carbon Steel Q&T — frequently asked
Is Medium Carbon Steel Q&T stronger than Medium Carbon Steel Annealed?
Yes. Medium Carbon Steel Q&T has a typical yield strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) against 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) for Medium Carbon Steel Annealed — about 116% more. Tensile strength is 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 560 MPa (81.2 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Q&T?
HR is the default Medium Carbon Steel condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Annealed 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 welds better, Medium Carbon Steel Annealed or Medium Carbon Steel Q&T?
Medium Carbon Steel Annealed. Its weldability rates good (55/100) against fair (35/100) for Medium Carbon Steel Q&T.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Medium Carbon Steel Annealed and Medium 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.