Steel 2316 · heat-treated state
Steel 2316 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other 2316 tempers.
Pick when higher wear resistance and maximum corrosion resistance are needed (glass-filled or highly abrasive corrosive plastics); accept distortion and lower toughness.
What is 2316 Q&T?
2316 Q&T is 2316 heat treated to Q&T — pick when higher wear resistance and maximum corrosion resistance are needed (glass-filled or highly abrasive corrosive plastics); accept distortion and lower toughness. 2316 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi). 2316 Q&T has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 62/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- High strength — 1,350 MPa (196 ksi), better than 95% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 5%, worse than 98% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 28 MPa·√m (25.5 ksi·√in), worse than 97% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades
2316 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2316 Q&T — 15 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 2316 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
2316 Q&T has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 95% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
2316 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal6
2316 Q&T is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.5 µm/m·K (5.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2316 Q&T conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (62/100), better than 100% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2316 Q&T takes about 42 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 91% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability7
2316 Q&T's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (15/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 2316 tempers and conditions
2316 is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 2316 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultChoose for blocks that will be rough-machined, deep-cavity cut or EDM'd and then hardened by the toolmaker.520 MPa yield · 21 HRC
- Q&TPick when higher wear resistance and maximum corrosion resistance are needed (glass-filled or highly abrasive corrosive plastics); accept distortion and lower toughness.1,350 MPa yield · 48 HRC
- PrehardStandard stock condition: machine the cavity directly, no distortion-prone heat treatment, good polish and corrosion resistance for PVC/POM moulds.850 MPa yield · 31 HRC
Working with 2316 Q&T
Is 2316 easy to machine?
Machine like a martensitic stainless: rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, positive rake, high feed/low speed and generous coolant to avoid work hardening and built-up edge; EDM and then stone/polish the recast layer away.
Can 2316 be welded?
TIG/laser repair with matching 1.2316 filler at 250–350 °C preheat, low heat input, slow cool and a stress-relief/temper at ~30 °C below the last temper to avoid cracking and soft zones.
Can 2316 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a cold-forming grade; hot work 1050–850 °C followed by slow furnace cooling, then soft anneal ~750–800 °C before machining.
What surface finishes work on 2316?
Excellent diamond-paste polish and photo-etch response (best in ESR quality); nitriding, PVD or hard chrome are optional wear layers but nitriding reduces the stainless surface corrosion resistance.
2316 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CX38CrMo16 per DIN/EN tool steel practice | 0.33 – 0.45 | 0.38 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.5 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Smax; low-S for polishing grades | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 15 – 17 | 16 |
| Mo | 1 – 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Nisome producers add ~0.4–0.9 Ni for hardenability | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| Voptional, producer dependent | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
2316 Q&T — frequently asked
What is 2316 Q&T used for?
2316 Q&T is typically used for medical device mould cavities, optical mould plates, cavity and core plates for corrosive resins, mould bases in humid production environments, food-contact and packaging mould inserts and photo-etched cosmetic housing cavities. In short: workhorse mold-cavity plate.
What is the yield strength of 2316 Q&T?
2316 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 2316 Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades). Machine like a martensitic stainless: rigid setups, sharp coated carbide, positive rake, high feed/low speed and generous coolant to avoid work hardening and built-up edge; EDM and then stone/polish the recast layer away.
Can 2316 Q&T be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). TIG/laser repair with matching 1.2316 filler at 250–350 °C preheat, low heat input, slow cool and a stress-relief/temper at ~30 °C below the last temper to avoid cracking and soft zones.
What surface finishes work on 2316 Q&T?
Excellent diamond-paste polish and photo-etch response (best in ESR quality); nitriding, PVD or hard chrome are optional wear layers but nitriding reduces the stainless surface corrosion resistance.
Can 2316 Q&T be formed, bent or molded?
Not a cold-forming grade; hot work 1050–850 °C followed by slow furnace cooling, then soft anneal ~750–800 °C before machining.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2316 Q&T?
2316 Q&T 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 2316 Annealed and 2316 Prehard?
Annealed is the default condition — choose for blocks that will be rough-machined, deep-cavity cut or EDM'd and then hardened by the toolmaker. Prehard: standard stock condition: machine the cavity directly, no distortion-prone heat treatment, good polish and corrosion resistance for PVC/POM moulds. Yield strength is 520 MPa in Annealed versus 850 MPa in Prehard.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2316 Q&T?
Yes — 2316 Q&T is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- DIN EN ISO 4957 / Werkstoffnummer 1.2316 (X38CrMo16) — DIN/ISO (2018)
- Corrosion-resistant plastic mould steel 1.2316 / M310 datasheet — voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl (2022)
- Mould steel 2316 / 420 modified data sheet — Buderus Edelstahl / Schmolz+Bickenbach (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Tool Materials — ASM International (1995)
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.