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Steel 32CrAlMo7-10 +N (Normalized)

Heat-treated state

EN 32CrAlMo7-10

Grain-refining condition after forging, usually an intermediate step before final quench and temper.

Budget cost $

Values for the +N condition

Other 32CrAlMo7-10 tempers and conditions

32CrAlMo7-10 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 32CrAlMo7-10.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Annealed
Delivery condition for bar/forging stock that will be rough-machined and then quenched and tempered by the user.45072020225 HB—
+NThis page
Normalized
Grain-refining condition after forging, usually an intermediate step before final quench and temper.5608801527 HRC7 % IACS
+QT
Large-diameter forged bar and rolls; lowest guaranteed core strength band of the grade.6508501427 HRC7 % IACS
+QT
Same heat treatment on heavier bar/forging where reduced cooling rate lowers the guaranteed strength band.7009001329 HRC7 % IACS
+QTDefault
Quenched and tempered
Standard supply and pre-nitriding condition: tough tempered-martensite core with high enough temper temperature (≥ 580 °C) to stay dimensionally stable during nitriding.7609501231 HRC—
+QT + gas/plasma nitrided
Final in-service condition: 0.2–0.6 mm diffusion case at 900–1050 HV1 for maximum wear and fatigue performance on gears, spindles and screws.7609501168 HRC—

What is 32CrAlMo7-10 +N?

32CrAlMo7-10 +N is 32CrAlMo7-10 heat treated to +N — grain-refining condition after forging, usually an intermediate step before final quench and temper. 32CrAlMo7-10 +N has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 32CrAlMo7-10 +N has a density of 7.78 g/cm³ (0.281 lb/in³), lighter than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). +QT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; +N is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
  • High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 86% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to weld — 22/100, worse than 81% of steel grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades

32CrAlMo7-10 +N properties

Typical room-temperature values for 32CrAlMo7-10 +N; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 32CrAlMo7-10 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

32CrAlMo7-10 +N has a density of 7.78 g/cm³ (0.281 lb/in³), lighter than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).

Density7.78 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,420°C2,588 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,490°C2,714 °F

Mechanical16

32CrAlMo7-10 +N has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)880 MPa128 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)560 MPa81.2 ksi
Elongation at Break15%
Reduction in Area50%
Compressive Strength580 MPa84.1 ksi
Shear Strength545 MPa79 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)400 MPa58 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)80 MPa·√m72.8 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)30 J22.1 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell270 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C27 HRC
Hardness, Vickers284 HV

Thermal6

32CrAlMo7-10 +N is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity34 W/m·K19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)450°C842 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

32CrAlMo7-10 +N conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 74% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity7 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.4×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.45 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is poor (16/100), better than 79% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.6 V
Corrosion ResistancePoor16/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in humid air and water; no resistance to acids or chlorides. Compound (white) nitride layer plus oil or post-oxidation gives modest atmospheric protection only; plating or painting needed outdoors.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 32CrAlMo7-10 +N takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.4 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability6

32CrAlMo7-10 +N's machinability is fair (47/100, worse than 58% of steel grades); weldability poor (22/100); formability poor (30/100).

MachinabilityFair47/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)45%
WeldabilityPoor22/100
Formability (cold)Poor30/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair40/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100

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

Working with 32CrAlMo7-10 +N

Is 32CrAlMo7-10 easy to machine?

Rough machine soft-annealed, finish in the +QT condition with carbide at moderate speed leaving 0.05–0.15 mm grinding stock; after nitriding only grinding/lapping is possible.

Can 32CrAlMo7-10 be welded?

Effectively non-weldable for structural joints — high Al, Cr and C cause cracking; if unavoidable, preheat 300–350 °C, matching filler and immediate stress relief, and never weld a nitrided surface.

Can 32CrAlMo7-10 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1100→850 °C with slow cooling and normalising; cold forming is not practical at Q&T strength levels.

What surface finishes work on 32CrAlMo7-10?

Stress-relieve before nitriding, mask threads/holes, then gas or plasma nitride at 500–530 °C; post-oxidation, phosphating or black oxide add mild corrosion protection — do not hard chrome plate over a nitrided compound layer without stripping it.

32CrAlMo7-10 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
C0.28 – 0.350.32
Si≤ 0.40.25
Mn0.4 – 0.70.55
P≤ 0.03—
Smax; lower for high-cleanliness variants≤ 0.04—
Cr1.5 – 1.81.65
Mo0.25 – 0.40.32
Alnitride former giving the very hard case0.8 – 1.21
Febalance—

32CrAlMo7-10 +N — frequently asked

What is 32CrAlMo7-10 +N used for?

32CrAlMo7-10 +N is typically used for precision gears, machine tool spindles, wear-resistant shafts and cylinder liners. In short: hardest nitrided case; tough core, hard surface; not weldable.

What is the yield strength of 32CrAlMo7-10 +N?

32CrAlMo7-10 +N has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is 32CrAlMo7-10 +N easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (47/100, worse than 58% of steel grades). Rough machine soft-annealed, finish in the +QT condition with carbide at moderate speed leaving 0.05–0.15 mm grinding stock; after nitriding only grinding/lapping is possible.

Can 32CrAlMo7-10 +N be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (22/100). Effectively non-weldable for structural joints — high Al, Cr and C cause cracking; if unavoidable, preheat 300–350 °C, matching filler and immediate stress relief, and never weld a nitrided surface.

What surface finishes work on 32CrAlMo7-10 +N?

Stress-relieve before nitriding, mask threads/holes, then gas or plasma nitride at 500–530 °C; post-oxidation, phosphating or black oxide add mild corrosion protection — do not hard chrome plate over a nitrided compound layer without stripping it.

Can 32CrAlMo7-10 +N be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1100→850 °C with slow cooling and normalising; cold forming is not practical at Q&T strength levels.

What is the maximum service temperature of 32CrAlMo7-10 +N?

32CrAlMo7-10 +N is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. EN 10085 — Nitriding steels: technical delivery conditions — CEN (2001)
  2. GB/T 3077 (38CrMoAl comparison grade) — SAC (2015)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.4A — Steel Heat Treating / Nitriding — ASM International (2013)
  5. Nitriding steel 1.8505 / 32CrAlMo7-10 bar datasheet — European special-steel producers (Böhler, Ovako, Lucchini class data) (2022)
  6. 38CrMoAl — Mysteel / 1688 (2026)

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.