Steel 1.2714 · heat-treated state
Steel 1.2714 QT38-42
Properties of the QT38-42 condition, compared with the other 1.2714 tempers.
Harden and temper to 38–42 HRC for hammer forging dies: the best compromise between thermal fatigue and deformation resistance and toughness, with machinability down to 35.
What is 1.2714 QT38-42?
1.2714 QT38-42 is 1.2714 heat treated to QT38-42 — harden and temper to 38–42 HRC for hammer forging dies: the best compromise between thermal fatigue and deformation resistance and toughness, with machinability down to 35. 1.2714 QT38-42 has a yield strength of 1,120 MPa (162 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 1.2714 QT38-42 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Prehard is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT38-42 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,120 MPa (162 ksi), better than 93% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 86% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 12/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 11%, worse than 89% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 83% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
1.2714 QT38-42 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1.2714 QT38-42 — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1.2714 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1.2714 QT38-42 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
1.2714 QT38-42 has a yield strength of 1,120 MPa (162 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
1.2714 QT38-42 is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.5 µm/m·K (6.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
1.2714 QT38-42 has an electrical resistivity of 2.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1.2714 QT38-42 takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
1.2714 QT38-42's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 83% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1.2714 tempers and conditions
1.2714 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1.2714 overview.
- PrehardDefaultUse the block supplied quenched and tempered to 28–34 HRC (295 HB) when the cavity is machined straight from stock and no further hardening is planned.850 MPa yield · 31 HRC
- QT50-54Use the low-temper 50–54 HRC condition for wear punches and shear blades under limited impact loading; elongation drops to 6%, service to 200 °C and machinability to 12.1,550 MPa yield · 52 HRC
- QT44-48Harden and temper to 44–48 HRC for small die blocks, trim edges and cold or warm punches where wear resistance outranks toughness; elongation falls to 9% and service to 350 °C.1,350 MPa yield · 46 HRC
- QT38-42Harden and temper to 38–42 HRC for hammer forging dies: the best compromise between thermal fatigue and deformation resistance and toughness, with machinability down to 35.1,120 MPa yield · 40 HRC
- ESRSpecify electroslag remelted stock, prehardened to 28–34 HRC, for large cross-sections and high-polish cavities that need higher cleanliness and transverse toughness.870 MPa yield · 31 HRC
- AnnealedOrder soft annealed at 248 HB maximum (230 HB typical) for rough machining and deep cavity milling when you will quench and temper the finished insert yourself.430 MPa yield · 230 HB
Working with 1.2714 QT38-42
Is 1.2714 easy to machine?
Annealed material cuts easily; above about 30 HRC in the prehard condition use coated carbide, rigid clamping and high-stiffness milling at reduced feed. Leave 0.2-0.3 mm finishing stock in deep cavities.
Can 1.2714 be welded?
Repair welding with matching or dedicated die-repair filler is workable. Preheat to 300-350 °C, maintain interpass temperature and temper immediately after welding to prevent cracking.
Can 1.2714 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forging or hot forming only, roughly 1050-850 °C, followed by slow cooling and prompt annealing. Cold forming is not feasible.
What surface finishes work on 1.2714?
Nitriding, nitride plus oxidation, hard chrome or PVD coatings raise wear resistance. The steel takes a mirror polish, better on ESR material, and should be stored under rust-preventive oil.
1.2714 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.5 – 0.6 | 0.56 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.65 – 0.95 | 0.8 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| Mo | 0.35 – 0.55 | 0.47 |
| Ni | 1.5 – 1.8 | 1.65 |
| V | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1.2714 QT38-42 — frequently asked
What is 1.2714 QT38-42 used for?
1.2714 QT38-42 is typically used for hammer forging dies, die blocks, forging die inserts, trim dies, die-casting die frames and holders and hot shear blades. In short: tough hot-work mold steel.
What is the yield strength of 1.2714 QT38-42?
1.2714 QT38-42 has a typical yield strength of 1,120 MPa (162 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1.2714 QT38-42 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 83% of steel grades). Annealed material cuts easily; above about 30 HRC in the prehard condition use coated carbide, rigid clamping and high-stiffness milling at reduced feed. Leave 0.2-0.3 mm finishing stock in deep cavities.
Can 1.2714 QT38-42 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Repair welding with matching or dedicated die-repair filler is workable. Preheat to 300-350 °C, maintain interpass temperature and temper immediately after welding to prevent cracking.
What surface finishes work on 1.2714 QT38-42?
Nitriding, nitride plus oxidation, hard chrome or PVD coatings raise wear resistance. The steel takes a mirror polish, better on ESR material, and should be stored under rust-preventive oil.
Can 1.2714 QT38-42 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forging or hot forming only, roughly 1050-850 °C, followed by slow cooling and prompt annealing. Cold forming is not feasible.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1.2714 QT38-42?
1.2714 QT38-42 is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1.2714 Prehard and 1.2714 QT50-54?
Prehard is the default condition — use the block supplied quenched and tempered to 28–34 HRC (295 HB) when the cavity is machined straight from stock and no further hardening is planned. QT50-54: use the low-temper 50–54 HRC condition for wear punches and shear blades under limited impact loading; elongation drops to 6%, service to 200 °C and machinability to 12. Yield strength is 850 MPa in Prehard versus 1,550 MPa in QT50-54.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1.2714 QT38-42?
Yes — 1.2714 QT38-42 is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN ISO 4957 Tool steels — ISO/CEN (2018)
- GB/T 1299 (5CrNiMo/5CrNiMoV) — SAC (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- 1.2714 / 56NiCrMoV7 hot-work die steel data sheets — Böhler / (2022)
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.