Steel T10A-CD vs T10A QT 54-56 HRC
Steel · T10A temper comparison
T10A-CD and T10A QT 54-56 HRC are two conditions of the same steel grade, T10A: CD (cold drawn) versus QT 54-56 HRC (quenched + tempered 300–350 °C). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. T10A QT 54-56 HRC is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for T10A-CD, about 150% more; tensile strength follows at 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) vs 800 MPa (116 ksi). In exchange, T10A-CD is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 2% for T10A QT 54-56 HRC, and T10A QT 54-56 HRC is harder (560 HB vs 235 HB). T10A QT 54-56 HRC runs hotter in service (250°C vs 200°C continuous). On the shop floor, T10A-CD machines more easily (fair vs not recommended).
T10A-CDChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
T10A QT 54-56 HRCChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
T10A-CD vs T10A QT 54-56 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.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.81 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,470°C2,678 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V · Corrosion Resistance 10 / 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 50 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.3 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.
T10A-CD vs T10A QT 54-56 HRC — frequently asked
Is T10A QT 54-56 HRC stronger than T10A-CD?
Yes. T10A QT 54-56 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) against 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) for T10A-CD — about 150% more. Tensile strength is 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) vs 800 MPa (116 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, CD or QT 54-56 HRC?
Annealed is the default T10A condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither CD nor QT 54-56 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 is easier to machine, T10A-CD or T10A QT 54-56 HRC?
T10A-CD. Its machinability rates fair (50/100) against not recommended (8/100) for T10A QT 54-56 HRC; for welding the order is T10A-CD first (not recommended, 12/100) then T10A QT 54-56 HRC (not recommended, 4/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in T10A-CD and T10A QT 54-56 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.