Steel 2083 · hardness band
Steel 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC
Properties of the Q&T 52-54HRC condition, compared with the other 2083 tempers.
Maximum wear resistance and edge retention for abrasive/glass-filled plastics; lowest toughness, use only on well-supported sections.
What is 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC?
2083 Q&T 52-54HRC is 2083 heat treated to Q&T 52-54HRC — maximum wear resistance and edge retention for abrasive/glass-filled plastics; lowest toughness, use only on well-supported sections. 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC has a yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi). 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T 52-54HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 90/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 55/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- High strength — 1,550 MPa (225 ksi), better than 97% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.9 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 90% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of steel grades
2083 Q&T 52-54HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 2083 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
2083 Q&T 52-54HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical14
2083 Q&T 52-54HRC has a yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal5
2083 Q&T 52-54HRC is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.6 µm/m·K (5.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
2083 Q&T 52-54HRC has an electrical resistivity of 5.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), better than 99% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC takes about 36 MJ of energy and emits 2.9 kg of CO₂ — more than 88% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability5
2083 Q&T 52-54HRC's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 2083 tempers and conditions
2083 is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 2083 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard mill-supplied condition for blocks and plate that will be rough-machined and then hardened by the toolmaker.480 MPa yield · 230 HB
- Q&T 52-54HRCMaximum wear resistance and edge retention for abrasive/glass-filled plastics; lowest toughness, use only on well-supported sections.1,550 MPa yield · 53 HRC
- Q&TStandard working hardness for corrosion-resistant cavities, cores and cutting/shear edges after finish machining.1,450 MPa yield · 50 HRC
- PrehardPick when the cavity is machined to final size and no in-house heat treatment (and no distortion) is acceptable; corrosion resistance without hardening cost.850 MPa yield · 31 HRC
Working with 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC
Is 2083 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed state with sharp, positive-rake carbide and generous coolant — 13Cr steel work-hardens and smears; above ~48 HRC switch to grinding, EDM or ceramic/CBN hard-milling.
Can 2083 be welded?
Poor weldability: preheat 250–350 °C, use matching 13Cr or 410NiMo filler, weld hot and immediately re-temper; laser/TIG mould repair with post-weld temper below the tempering temperature.
Can 2083 be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as blocks/plate for hot work only; forge 1050–850 °C with slow cooling, then soft anneal 750–800 °C, and expect ~0.1 % dimensional change plus distortion on hardening from 1020–1050 °C (vacuum quench preferred).
What surface finishes work on 2083?
Excellent for mirror polishing and photo-etch texturing when hardened; can be nitrided or hard-chrome/PVD coated, but avoid electroless processes that trap hydrogen and always temper after grinding.
2083 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CEN ISO 4957 X40Cr14 | 0.36 – 0.42 | 0.4 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.35 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 12.5 – 14.5 | 13.5 |
| Fe | balance | — |
2083 Q&T 52-54HRC — frequently asked
What is 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC used for?
2083 Q&T 52-54HRC is typically used for plastic mould cavity plates, optical and lens moulds, medical plastic moulds, mould cores and slides, tooling for PVC and other corrosive polymers and textured cosmetic-part moulds. In short: workhorse mold-cavity plate.
What is the yield strength of 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC?
2083 Q&T 52-54HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed state with sharp, positive-rake carbide and generous coolant — 13Cr steel work-hardens and smears; above ~48 HRC switch to grinding, EDM or ceramic/CBN hard-milling.
Can 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor weldability: preheat 250–350 °C, use matching 13Cr or 410NiMo filler, weld hot and immediately re-temper; laser/TIG mould repair with post-weld temper below the tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC?
Excellent for mirror polishing and photo-etch texturing when hardened; can be nitrided or hard-chrome/PVD coated, but avoid electroless processes that trap hydrogen and always temper after grinding.
Can 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as blocks/plate for hot work only; forge 1050–850 °C with slow cooling, then soft anneal 750–800 °C, and expect ~0.1 % dimensional change plus distortion on hardening from 1020–1050 °C (vacuum quench preferred).
What is the maximum service temperature of 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC?
2083 Q&T 52-54HRC is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 2083 Annealed and 2083 Prehard?
Annealed is the default condition — standard mill-supplied condition for blocks and plate that will be rough-machined and then hardened by the toolmaker. Prehard: pick when the cavity is machined to final size and no in-house heat treatment (and no distortion) is acceptable; corrosion resistance without hardening cost. Yield strength is 480 MPa in Annealed versus 850 MPa in Prehard.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC?
Yes — 2083 Q&T 52-54HRC 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 — X40Cr14 (1.2083) — ISO/CEN (2018)
- GB/T 1220 / GB/T 1299 (4Cr13 ) — SAC (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels (AISI 420) — ASM International (1990)
- Stainless plastic mould steel 1.2083 / 420 datasheets — Voestalpine/Böhler, Assab, Daido (typical values) (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.