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Steel 30MnB4 +QT-40 (+QT)

Heat-treated state

EN 30MnB4

Property set for bars 16–40 mm where boron hardenability no longer gives full through-hardening.

Budget cost $

Values for the +QT-40 condition

Other 30MnB4 tempers and conditions

30MnB4 is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at 30MnB4.

Compare all 10 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Spheroidize annealed
Standard supply condition for cold-heading bolt wire: spheroidal carbides give maximum cold upsetting ductility.33052025150 HB46 W/m·K
Annealed
Sub-critical soft anneal for machining or intermediate processing; hardness capped by EN 10083-3.36058022180 HB45 W/m·K
Supplied with specified hardenability
Order this when quench response must be guaranteed — mill certifies a Jominy band (J1.5 typically ≈ 46–54 HRC); as-delivered condition is hot rolled or annealed and the part is hardened by the user.4106601850 HRC9 % IACS
Hot rolled
Mill-delivery hot-rolled coil for re-heating, hot forging or subsequent annealing lines.42068018200 HB—
Normalized
Grain refinement after hot forging, used when parts are machined before hardening.45072017215 HB—
Spheroidize annealed and cold drawn
Drawn-to-size cold-heading wire with clean surface and tight tolerance; slight work hardening over +AC but still headable.52063012185 HB—
+QT-40This page
+QT
Property set for bars 16–40 mm where boron hardenability no longer gives full through-hardening.6508701426 HRC—
+QTDefault
Quenched and tempered
The workhorse condition: oil/polymer quench + temper ~430–500 °C for 10.9 bolts and high-strength machine parts up to ~16 mm section.9801,1001234 HRC42 W/m·K
quenched and low-temper, ≈1220–1400 MPa
Highest strength condition for small-diameter 12.9 fasteners; requires strict hydrogen and surface-decarburization control.1,1501,300941 HRC—
As quenched
Intermediate process state only — full hardness but brittle; must be tempered before service.1,4001,750250 HRC6.5 % IACS

What is 30MnB4 +QT-40?

30MnB4 +QT-40 is 30MnB4 heat treated to +QT-40 — property set for bars 16–40 mm where boron hardenability no longer gives full through-hardening. 30MnB4 +QT-40 has a yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 870 MPa (126 ksi) — stronger than 79% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi). 30MnB4 +QT-40 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). +QT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; +QT-40 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
  • High strength — 650 MPa (94.3 ksi), better than 79% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 75% of steel grades

30MnB4 +QT-40 properties

Typical room-temperature values for 30MnB4 +QT-40; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 30MnB4 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

30MnB4 +QT-40 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,420°C2,588 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,500°C2,732 °F

Mechanical16

30MnB4 +QT-40 has a yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 870 MPa (126 ksi) — stronger than 79% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus207 GPa30 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)870 MPa126 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)650 MPa94.3 ksi
Elongation at Break14%
Reduction in Area52%
Compressive Strength980 MPa142 ksi
Shear Strength520 MPa75.4 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)400 MPa58 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)45 J33.2 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell265 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C26 HRC
Hardness, Vickers280 HV

Thermal6

30MnB4 +QT-40 is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)350°C662 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

30MnB4 +QT-40 conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.6 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryNo inherent corrosion resistance: rusts in humid air, attacked by acids and chlorides; always used zinc-plated, zinc-flake (Dacromet/Geomet) or phosphated. High-strength (≥1000 MPa) parts are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement from acid pickling and electroplating.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 30MnB4 +QT-40 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)1.9 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

30MnB4 +QT-40's machinability is fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades); weldability fair (38/100); formability poor (20/100).

MachinabilityFair48/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)55%
WeldabilityFair38/100
Formability (cold)Poor20/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair45/100
PolishabilityGood60/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use zinc/zinc-nickel plating, zinc-flake coating or phosphate + oil

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 30MnB4 +QT-40

Is 30MnB4 easy to machine?

Best machined in +AC/+A (150–200 HB) with carbide inserts; at 34 HRC (+QT) cut speeds drop ~40 % and rigid setups plus coated carbide/CBN are needed — this is not a free-machining grade (low S).

Can 30MnB4 be welded?

Weldable with care only: CE ≈ 0.55, preheat 150–250 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld temper; boron promotes hard HAZ martensite and cold cracking, so welding of Q&T fasteners is normally avoided.

Can 30MnB4 be formed, bent or molded?

Designed for cold heading/upsetting in the spheroidized (+AC or +AC+C) state — phosphate + soap or polymer lubrication; hot forging 1100–1200 °C, austenitize 860–900 °C, oil/polymer quench, temper 400–500 °C for 10.9 (350–420 °C for 12.9), avoid 250–350 °C temper-embrittlement window.

What surface finishes work on 30MnB4?

No corrosion resistance bare — zinc or zinc-nickel electroplate with mandatory 190–230 °C hydrogen bake within 4 h, or preferably mechanical/zinc-flake (Dacromet/Geomet) coating for ≥1000 MPa parts; phosphate + oil is common for automotive fasteners.

30MnB4 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CEN 10083-30.27 – 0.330.3
Simax; cold-heading grades often ≤0.30≤ 0.40.2
Mn0.8 – 1.10.95
P≤ 0.030.02
S≤ 0.040.02
Beffective (soluble) boron controls hardenability; Ti/Al added to fix nitrogen8×10⁻⁴ – 0.010
Febalance—

30MnB4 +QT-40 — frequently asked

What is 30MnB4 +QT-40 used for?

30MnB4 +QT-40 is typically used for high strength bolts, fasteners and shafts. In short: 10.9/12.9 fastener steel; boron hardenability, low alloy cost; cold-heading quality wire grade.

What is the yield strength of 30MnB4 +QT-40?

30MnB4 +QT-40 has a typical yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 870 MPa (126 ksi) — stronger than 79% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.

Is 30MnB4 +QT-40 easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades). Best machined in +AC/+A (150–200 HB) with carbide inserts; at 34 HRC (+QT) cut speeds drop ~40 % and rigid setups plus coated carbide/CBN are needed — this is not a free-machining grade (low S).

Can 30MnB4 +QT-40 be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (38/100). Weldable with care only: CE ≈ 0.55, preheat 150–250 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld temper; boron promotes hard HAZ martensite and cold cracking, so welding of Q&T fasteners is normally avoided.

What surface finishes work on 30MnB4 +QT-40?

No corrosion resistance bare — zinc or zinc-nickel electroplate with mandatory 190–230 °C hydrogen bake within 4 h, or preferably mechanical/zinc-flake (Dacromet/Geomet) coating for ≥1000 MPa parts; phosphate + oil is common for automotive fasteners.

Can 30MnB4 +QT-40 be formed, bent or molded?

Designed for cold heading/upsetting in the spheroidized (+AC or +AC+C) state — phosphate + soap or polymer lubrication; hot forging 1100–1200 °C, austenitize 860–900 °C, oil/polymer quench, temper 400–500 °C for 10.9 (350–420 °C for 12.9), avoid 250–350 °C temper-embrittlement window.

What is the maximum service temperature of 30MnB4 +QT-40?

30MnB4 +QT-40 is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. EN 10083-3 — Steels for quenching and tempering, Part 3: alloy steels — CEN (2006)
  2. EN 10263-4 — Steel rod, bars and wire for cold heading and cold extrusion, Part 4: quench and tempered steels — CEN (2017)
  3. ISO 898-1 — Mechanical properties of fasteners, bolts screws and studs — ISO (2013)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. 30MnB4 / 1.5526 boron steel data sheet — Lucefin / Ovako (EN grade producers) (2020)

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.