Stainless Steel 95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC
Hardness band
EN 95Kh18 · AISI/SAE 440C
Use when a little more toughness/ductility is needed than peak hardness; accept lower wear and reduced corrosion resistance from carbide re-precipitation.
Values for the QT-52-54HRC condition
Other 95Kh18 tempers and conditions
95Kh18 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 95Kh18.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard stocked bar/plate condition for machining before hardening. | 450 | 760 | 13 | 25 HRC | — |
Annealed + cold drawn / cold rolled bar | Pick for close-tolerance ground/drawn bar where slightly higher as-supplied strength and better surface are wanted. | 650 | 880 | 9 | 29 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
QT-52-54HRCThis page hardened, tempered 500–560 °C (toughened) | Use when a little more toughness/ductility is needed than peak hardness; accept lower wear and reduced corrosion resistance from carbide re-precipitation. | 1,550 | 1,750 | 4 | 53 HRC | — |
hardened 1010–1070 °C, tempered 250–350 °C | Balanced bearing/knife condition when slightly better toughness than 58–60 HRC is preferred. | 1,750 | 1,880 | 3 | 56 HRC | — |
hardened 1010–1070 °C, oil/air quench, tempered 150–180 °C | Standard maximum-hardness service condition for stainless rolling-element bearings, cutlery and wear parts. | 1,900 | 1,970 | 2 | 59 HRC | — |
As-quenched | Interim state only — must be tempered/stress-relieved promptly; brittle and prone to quench cracking. | 1,900 | 2,050 | 1 | 61 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
Hardened + sub-zero (cryogenic) treated + tempered, 60–62 HRC | Choose for precision bearings and gauges: deep-freeze converts retained austenite for maximum hardness and dimensional stability. | 1,950 | 2,050 | 1.5 | 61 HRC | — |
What is 95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC?
95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC is 95Kh18 heat treated to QT-52-54HRC — use when a little more toughness/ductility is needed than peak hardness; accept lower wear and reduced corrosion resistance from carbide re-precipitation. 95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC has a yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 100% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT-52-54HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,550 MPa (225 ksi), better than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 88/100, better than 100% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 4%, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 30/100, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 25/100, worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC; 16 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 95Kh18 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F).
Mechanical16
95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC has a yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 100% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC is rated for continuous service to 480°C (896 °F). It conducts heat at 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.2 µm/m·K (5.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), worse than 99% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 4.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC
Is 95Kh18 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, low-to-moderate speed and heavy positive rake; the Cr-carbides are abrasive, so expect ~40 % of 1212 and finish hardened parts by grinding/EDM.
Can 95Kh18 be welded?
Effectively non-weldable for structural joints — high carbon gives hard, crack-sensitive HAZ; if unavoidable, preheat 200–300 °C, use austenitic or Ni filler and full post-weld anneal.
Can 95Kh18 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming limited to gentle bends on annealed thin stock; hot work 1100–850 °C followed by slow cooling and a full anneal to avoid quench cracks.
What surface finishes work on 95Kh18?
Passivate per ASTM A967 after grinding to restore the chromium oxide film; polishes to a mirror finish when hardened, and accepts hard chrome, electroless nickel or PVD (TiN/CrN) coatings applied below the tempering temperature.
95Kh18 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CGOST 5632; AISI 440C allows 0.95–1.20 | 0.9 – 1 | 0.95 |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Si | ≤ 0.8 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.7 | 0.4 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.6 | — |
| Moresidual in 95Kh18; 440C permits ≤0.75, 95Kh18-Sh/9Cr18Mo variants add Mo intentionally | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Tiresidual | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC — frequently asked
What is 95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC used for?
95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC is typically used for bearings, cutlery, precision instruments and surgical blades. In short: highest-hardness stainless grade; bearing-grade wear resistance; effectively non-weldable.
What is the yield strength of 95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC?
95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 100% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, low-to-moderate speed and heavy positive rake; the Cr-carbides are abrasive, so expect ~40 % of 1212 and finish hardened parts by grinding/EDM.
Can 95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Effectively non-weldable for structural joints — high carbon gives hard, crack-sensitive HAZ; if unavoidable, preheat 200–300 °C, use austenitic or Ni filler and full post-weld anneal.
What surface finishes work on 95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC?
Passivate per ASTM A967 after grinding to restore the chromium oxide film; polishes to a mirror finish when hardened, and accepts hard chrome, electroless nickel or PVD (TiN/CrN) coatings applied below the tempering temperature.
Can 95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming limited to gentle bends on annealed thin stock; hot work 1100–850 °C followed by slow cooling and a full anneal to avoid quench cracks.
What is the maximum service temperature of 95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC?
95Kh18 QT-52-54HRC is rated for continuous use to about 480°C (896 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 95Kh18-ANN and 95Kh18 HARD-UT?
ANN is the default condition — standard stocked bar/plate condition for machining before hardening. HARD-UT: interim state only — must be tempered/stress-relieved promptly; brittle and prone to quench cracking. Yield strength is 450 MPa in ANN versus 1,900 MPa in HARD-UT.
Sources
- GOST 5632-2014 — Stainless steels and corrosion-, heat- and creep-resisting alloys (95Х18) — Rosstandart (2014)
- ASTM A276/A276M — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes (Type 440C) — ASTM International (2017)
- GB/T 1220 — Stainless steel bars (9Cr18, 9Cr18Mo) — SAC (2007)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook (machinability and heat-treat data) — Industrial Press (2020)
- 440C / X105CrMo17 bearing and knife steel datasheet — Böhler / Sandvik (2021)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.