Steel 1044 QT-22-26HRC
Hardness band
AISI/SAE 1044 · UNS G10440
QT-22-26HRC = quenched & Tempered to 22–26 HRC
Toughest Q&T level; choose for shock-loaded shafts and couplings where impact matters more than wear.
Values for the QT-22-26HRC condition
Other 1044 tempers and conditions
1044 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 1044.
- A
- HR
- N
- CD-SR
- CD
- QT-22-26HRC
- IH
- QT-28-32HRC
- QT-34-38HRC
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Softest, most ductile condition — pick for heavy cold forming, deep machining or before a later hardening step. | 305 | 570 | 24 | 163 HB | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Cheapest general-purpose stock for machined shafts and plates where surface finish and tight size are not critical. | 310 | 570 | 16 | 170 HB | — |
Normalized | Uniform fine-grained structure with the best toughness-to-cost ratio; standard pre-machining condition for shafts and forgings. | 345 | 620 | 18 | 179 HB | — |
Cold Drawn, Stress Relieved | Use when cold-drawn bar must stay straight after heavy asymmetric machining; trades a little yield for lower residual stress. | 480 | 620 | 15 | 11 HRC | 10.6 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Higher yield, close size tolerance and bright finish — the usual choice for turned parts and shafting used without further heat treatment. | 565 | 655 | 12 | 187 HB | — |
QT-22-26HRCThis page Quenched & Tempered to 22–26 HRC | Toughest Q&T level; choose for shock-loaded shafts and couplings where impact matters more than wear. | 690 | 830 | 20 | 24 HRC | — |
Induction hardened | Pick when a hard, wear-resistant, compressively stressed surface is needed on a tough core — journals, splines, cam and pin surfaces. | 700 | 900 | 12 | 57 HRC | — |
Quenched & Tempered to 28–32 HRC | Most common commercial Q&T level for 1044 — balanced strength, toughness and machinability for shafts, gears and pins. | 825 | 965 | 17 | 30 HRC | — |
Quenched & Tempered to 34–38 HRC | Highest practical through-hardened level for thin sections where wear and strength dominate and impact loads are modest. | 1,000 | 1,170 | 13 | 36 HRC | — |
What is 1044 QT-22-26HRC?
1044 QT-22-26HRC is 1044 heat treated to QT-22-26HRC — toughest Q&T level; choose for shock-loaded shafts and couplings where impact matters more than wear. 1044 QT-22-26HRC has a yield strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 80% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1044 QT-22-26HRC 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT-22-26HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.6 % IACS, better than 91% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades
- High strength — 690 MPa (100 ksi), better than 80% of steel grades
1044 QT-22-26HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1044 QT-22-26HRC; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1044 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1044 QT-22-26HRC 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
1044 QT-22-26HRC has a yield strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 80% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1044 QT-22-26HRC is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1044 QT-22-26HRC conducts electricity at 10.6 % IACS, better than 91% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1044 QT-22-26HRC takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
1044 QT-22-26HRC's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1044 QT-22-26HRC
Is 1044 easy to machine?
Machines well normalized or cold drawn at ~55–60 % of 1212; use rigid setups, carbide at 120–180 m/min, and expect gummy chips in the annealed state.
Can 1044 be welded?
Weldable with preheat 150–260 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and slow cooling or PWHT; joints in Q&T material lose temper properties in the HAZ.
Can 1044 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1200 °C; cold bending is limited — use generous radii and anneal or normalize before heavy cold work.
What surface finishes work on 1044?
No natural corrosion protection: oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc plating or paint; grinds and polishes cleanly after hardening for shaft and seal surfaces.
1044 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CSAE J403 / ASTM A29 heat analysis | 0.43 – 0.5 | 0.46 |
| Mnlower Mn than 1045 | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Siwhen killed steel is specified; not in the base J403 limits | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1044 QT-22-26HRC — frequently asked
What is 1044 QT-22-26HRC used for?
1044 QT-22-26HRC is typically used for shafts, axles and machine components. In short: most weldable of the 1040s; direct 1045 substitute; induction-hardenable shaft steel.
What is the yield strength of 1044 QT-22-26HRC?
1044 QT-22-26HRC has a typical yield strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 80% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 1044 QT-22-26HRC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades). Machines well normalized or cold drawn at ~55–60 % of 1212; use rigid setups, carbide at 120–180 m/min, and expect gummy chips in the annealed state.
Can 1044 QT-22-26HRC be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Weldable with preheat 150–260 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and slow cooling or PWHT; joints in Q&T material lose temper properties in the HAZ.
What surface finishes work on 1044 QT-22-26HRC?
No natural corrosion protection: oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc plating or paint; grinds and polishes cleanly after hardening for shaft and seal surfaces.
Can 1044 QT-22-26HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1200 °C; cold bending is limited — use generous radii and anneal or normalize before heavy cold work.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1044 QT-22-26HRC?
1044 QT-22-26HRC is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1044-HR and 1044-IH?
HR is the default condition — cheapest general-purpose stock for machined shafts and plates where surface finish and tight size are not critical. IH: pick when a hard, wear-resistant, compressively stressed surface is needed on a tough core — journals, splines, cam and pin surfaces. Yield strength is 310 MPa in HR versus 700 MPa in IH.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating — ASM International (1991)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- GB/T 699 (45 comparison) — SAC (2015)
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.