Steel 26NiCrMo14-6
EN 26NiCrMo14-6
26NiCrMo14-6 (1.6958, comparable to 4340) is a high-nickel chromium-molybdenum alloy steel with very high hardenability, combining deep hardening response with high core toughness in heavy sections.
Reference datasheet — 26NiCrMo14-6 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the +A condition
26NiCrMo14-6 tempers and conditions
26NiCrMo14-6 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. +A is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+ADefault Annealed | Standard stock condition for bar and forgings that will be machined and then carburized or through-hardened. | 460 | 780 | 17 | 220 HB | — |
Treated for shearability | Choose for bar that must be cold sheared or cropped to blanks before forging/machining. | 480 | 800 | 16 | 21 HRC | 5.7 % IACS |
Treated to a specified hardness range | Pick when the mill must guarantee a machining hardness band for automatic/CNC production lines. | 560 | 880 | 15 | 23 HRC | 5.7 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Small-diameter bar with close tolerance and bright finish for parts machined before case hardening. | 720 | 880 | 10 | 26 HRC | 5.7 % IACS |
Normalized | Grain-refining step after forging; note that this air-hardening grade comes out hard and normally needs a subsequent temper or anneal before machining. | 750 | 1,080 | 12 | 34 HRC | 5.7 % IACS |
+QT 30–34 HRC | Through-hardened condition for heavy shafts and machined-after-heat-treat parts needing high toughness. | 900 | 1,050 | 14 | 32 HRC | — |
Blank hardened | Reference condition of EN 10084 that documents the core strength this grade develops in a carburized part. | 980 | 1,300 | 10 | 40 HRC | — |
Carburized and hardened | Final service condition for heavy gears and pinions: hard wear-resistant case over a tough, deeply hardened high-nickel core. | 980 | 1,300 | 9 | 60 HRC | 5.5 % IACS |
+QT 38–42 HRC | Highest practical through-hardened strength level for shafts and fasteners where toughness must still be retained. | 1,150 | 1,300 | 11 | 40 HRC | — |
What is 26NiCrMo14-6?
26NiCrMo14-6 (1.6958, comparable to 4340) is a high-nickel chromium-molybdenum alloy steel with very high hardenability, combining deep hardening response with high core toughness in heavy sections. It is specified for large carburized gears, landing gear parts and heavy shafts, and is supplied as bar, forging and heat-treated stock in +A, +S, +TH, +N, +C, BH, CH, QT-32 and QT-40 conditions. Default properties are 460 MPa yield, 780 MPa tensile, 17 % elongation and 220 HB, with service to 400 °C. Machinability is low (score 45), weldability is poor, and the steel has no corrosion resistance; 42CrMo4 is the cheaper choice in lighter sections. 26NiCrMo14-6 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,430°C (2,606 °F). 26NiCrMo14-6 has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is 26NiCrMo14-6 used for?
- large gears
- aircraft landing gear parts
- heavy-duty shafts
- high-strength bolts
- carburized transmission components
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 5.7 % IACS, worse than 80% 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
26NiCrMo14-6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 26NiCrMo14-6-+A; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
26NiCrMo14-6 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,430°C (2,606 °F).
Mechanical15
26NiCrMo14-6 has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
26NiCrMo14-6 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
26NiCrMo14-6 conducts electricity at 5.7 % IACS, worse than 80% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 26NiCrMo14-6 takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
26NiCrMo14-6's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (35/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 26NiCrMo14-6 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 26NiCrMo14-6
Is 26NiCrMo14-6 easy to machine?
Machine in the soft-annealed (≤248 HB) condition with rigid setups, sharp coated carbide and generous coolant; the tough high-Ni matrix work-hardens and gives stringy chips, so use positive rakes and moderate speeds (~48 % of AISI 1212).
Can 26NiCrMo14-6 be welded?
Poor weldability — CE ≈ 0.9; if unavoidable, use low-hydrogen consumables, 250–350 °C preheat/interpass and immediate post-weld temper below the last tempering temperature, then re-heat-treat where possible.
Can 26NiCrMo14-6 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge at 1100–850 °C with slow controlled cooling (air-hardening grade), then anneal; cold forming is limited to light straightening because of the high strength and hardenability.
26NiCrMo14-6 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 | 0.22 – 0.29 | 0.26 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Smax; lower S grades supplied for aerospace | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Cr | 1.2 – 1.5 | 1.35 |
| Mo | 0.25 – 0.35 | 0.3 |
| Ni | 3.2 – 3.6 | 3.4 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 26NiCrMo14-6?
No natural corrosion resistance: use black oxide, manganese phosphate, zinc/zinc-nickel plating or paint; bake plated high-strength parts at 190–210 °C to relieve hydrogen, and grind/shot-peen carburized surfaces for maximum fatigue life.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 26NiCrMo14-6 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.6958
- Similar grades
- 4340
How much does 26NiCrMo14-6 cost?
26NiCrMo14-6 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
26NiCrMo14-6 — frequently asked
What is 26NiCrMo14-6 used for?
26NiCrMo14-6 is typically used for large gears, aircraft landing gear parts, heavy-duty shafts, high-strength bolts and carburized transmission components. In short: deepest-hardening EN alloy steel; high toughness in heavy sections; aerospace-grade 4340 equivalent.
What is the yield strength of 26NiCrMo14-6?
26NiCrMo14-6 has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 26NiCrMo14-6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machine in the soft-annealed (≤248 HB) condition with rigid setups, sharp coated carbide and generous coolant; the tough high-Ni matrix work-hardens and gives stringy chips, so use positive rakes and moderate speeds (~48 % of AISI 1212).
Can 26NiCrMo14-6 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor weldability — CE ≈ 0.9; if unavoidable, use low-hydrogen consumables, 250–350 °C preheat/interpass and immediate post-weld temper below the last tempering temperature, then re-heat-treat where possible.
What surface finishes work on 26NiCrMo14-6?
No natural corrosion resistance: use black oxide, manganese phosphate, zinc/zinc-nickel plating or paint; bake plated high-strength parts at 190–210 °C to relieve hydrogen, and grind/shot-peen carburized surfaces for maximum fatigue life.
Can 26NiCrMo14-6 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge at 1100–850 °C with slow controlled cooling (air-hardening grade), then anneal; cold forming is limited to light straightening because of the high strength and hardenability.
What is the maximum service temperature of 26NiCrMo14-6?
26NiCrMo14-6 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 26NiCrMo14-6 +A and 26NiCrMo14-6 QT-40?
+A is the default condition — standard stock condition for bar and forgings that will be machined and then carburized or through-hardened. QT-40: highest practical through-hardened strength level for shafts and fasteners where toughness must still be retained. Yield strength is 460 MPa in +A versus 1,150 MPa in QT-40.
How much does 26NiCrMo14-6 cost?
26NiCrMo14-6 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- EN 10084 — Case hardening steels: technical delivery conditions — CEN (2008)
- EN 10250-3 — Open die steel forgings: alloy special steels — CEN (1999)
- EN 10083-3 — Steels for quenching and tempering: alloy steels — CEN (2006)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (carburizing of Ni-Cr-Mo steels) — ASM International (1991)
- Case-hardening steel 1.6958 / 26NiCrMo14-6 mill datasheet — European special steel producer (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.