Steel P20+Ni Prehard vs P20+Ni Q&T
Steel · P20+Ni temper comparison
P20+Ni Prehard and P20+Ni Q&T are two conditions of the same steel grade, P20+Ni: Prehard (pre-hardened) versus Q&T (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. P20+Ni Q&T is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) against 860 MPa (125 ksi) for P20+Ni Prehard, about 45% more; tensile strength follows at 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) vs 1,000 MPa (145 ksi). In exchange, P20+Ni Prehard is the more ductile: elongation 14% versus 10% for P20+Ni Q&T, and P20+Ni Prehard is harder (300 HB vs 210 HB). P20+Ni Prehard runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, P20+Ni Prehard machines more easily (fair vs poor) and P20+Ni Prehard welds better (fair vs poor).
P20+Ni PrehardChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
P20+Ni Q&TChoose it when strength drives the design.
P20+Ni Prehard vs P20+Ni 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
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 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Compressive Strength 900 MPa131 ksi · Shear Strength 620 MPa89.9 ksi · Hardness, Rockwell B 95 HRB
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 1,470°C2,678 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 34 W/m·K19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 2.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.45 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.62 V · Corrosion Resistance 15 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 30 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.2 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.
P20+Ni Prehard vs P20+Ni Q&T — frequently asked
Is P20+Ni Q&T stronger than P20+Ni Prehard?
Yes. P20+Ni Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) against 860 MPa (125 ksi) for P20+Ni Prehard — about 45% more. Tensile strength is 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) vs 1,000 MPa (145 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Prehard or Q&T?
Annealed is the default P20+Ni condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Prehard 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, P20+Ni Prehard or P20+Ni Q&T?
P20+Ni Prehard. Its machinability rates fair (50/100) against poor (30/100) for P20+Ni Q&T; for welding the order is P20+Ni Prehard first (fair, 50/100) then P20+Ni Q&T (poor, 25/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in P20+Ni Prehard and P20+Ni 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.