Steel SKD61 Nitrided vs SKD61 Q&T 52-54 HRC
Steel · SKD61 temper comparison
SKD61 Nitrided and SKD61 Q&T 52-54 HRC are two conditions of the same steel grade, SKD61: Nitrided versus Q&T 52-54 HRC (low-temper, maximum hardness). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. SKD61 Q&T 52-54 HRC is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) against 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) for SKD61 Nitrided, about 27% more; tensile strength follows at 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) vs 1,500 MPa (218 ksi). In exchange, SKD61 Nitrided is the more ductile: elongation 9% versus 8% for SKD61 Q&T 52-54 HRC, and SKD61 Nitrided is harder (430 HB vs 215 HB). SKD61 Nitrided runs hotter in service (560°C vs 480°C continuous). On the shop floor, SKD61 Q&T 52-54 HRC welds better (fair vs not recommended).
SKD61 NitridedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
SKD61 Q&T 52-54 HRCChoose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.
SKD61 Nitrided vs SKD61 Q&T 52-54 HRC: 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.
SKD61 NitridedSKD61 Q&T 52-54 HRC
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)
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 81 GPa11.7 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,427°C2,601 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 24.5 W/m·K14.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11 µm/m·K6.1 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 Conductivity 3.3 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m20.5 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V
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: Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 36 MJ/kg15,477 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.8 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 65 L/kg7.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 35%
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.
SKD61 Nitrided vs SKD61 Q&T 52-54 HRC — frequently asked
Is SKD61 Q&T 52-54 HRC stronger than SKD61 Nitrided?
Yes. SKD61 Q&T 52-54 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) against 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) for SKD61 Nitrided — about 27% more. Tensile strength is 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) vs 1,500 MPa (218 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Nitrided or Q&T 52-54 HRC?
Annealed is the default SKD61 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Nitrided nor Q&T 52-54 HRC). 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, SKD61 Nitrided or SKD61 Q&T 52-54 HRC?
SKD61 Q&T 52-54 HRC. Its weldability rates fair (35/100) against not recommended (5/100) for SKD61 Nitrided.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SKD61 Nitrided and SKD61 Q&T 52-54 HRC 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.