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Steel 34Cr4 +C (Cold drawn)

Supply condition

EN 34Cr4

Bright drawn bar with close tolerance and smooth surface for automatic-lathe parts that will be hardened afterwards.

Budget cost $

Values for the +C condition

Other 34Cr4 tempers and conditions

34Cr4 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 34Cr4.

Compare all 9 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Spheroidize annealed
Choose for cold heading, cold extrusion or deep drilling — spheroidal carbides give the lowest work-hardening and best cold formability.33056525172 HB—
Annealed
Softest delivery condition for heavy machining before hardening; hardness capped at 207 HB by EN 10083-3.36060022185 HB—
Specified hardenability (Jominy band), delivered soft-annealed
Order this when the customer needs a guaranteed Jominy hardenability band (34Cr4+H) for parts that will be hardened after machining.3606002251 HRC8 % IACS
Normalized
Uniform fine-grained structure after hot working; used as a machining/pre-heat-treatment condition or for lightly loaded parts.4307201818 HRC—
+QT
Heavy bars where limited hardenability (no Mo) drops core strength — use 42CrMo4 if higher core properties are needed.5007201719 HRC—
+CThis page
Cold drawn
Bright drawn bar with close tolerance and smooth surface for automatic-lathe parts that will be hardened afterwards.620760920 HRC7.8 % IACS
+QTDefault
Quenched and tempered
Standard stocked engineering condition: 800–950 MPa tensile with 40 J Charpy — default for shafts, bolts and machine parts.6408801627 HRC—
+QT
Highest strength grade class of 34Cr4 — small bars and fasteners fully hardened through the section.7601,0001331 HRC—
Hardened
Intermediate as-quenched condition (austenitize ~850 °C, oil quench) — must be tempered promptly; not a service condition.1,3501,750351 HRC—

What is 34Cr4 +C?

34Cr4 +C is 34Cr4 supplied in the +C condition — bright drawn bar with close tolerance and smooth surface for automatic-lathe parts that will be hardened afterwards. 34Cr4 +C has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 208 GPa (30.2 Msi). 34Cr4 +C has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). +QT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; +C is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
  • Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
  • High strength — 620 MPa (89.9 ksi), better than 78% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 9%, worse than 93% of steel grades
  • Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 60 MPa·√m (54.6 ksi·√in), worse than 78% of steel grades

34Cr4 +C properties

Typical room-temperature values for 34Cr4 +C; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 34Cr4 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

34Cr4 +C has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,495°C2,723 °F

Mechanical16

34Cr4 +C has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 208 GPa (30.2 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus208 GPa30.2 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)760 MPa110 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)620 MPa89.9 ksi
Elongation at Break9%
Reduction in Area40%
Compressive Strength620 MPa89.9 ksi
Shear Strength460 MPa66.7 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)360 MPa52.2 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)60 MPa·√m54.6 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)25 J18.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell230 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C20 HRC
Hardness, Vickers242 HV

Thermal6

34Cr4 +C is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 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 Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)250°C482 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

34Cr4 +C conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity7.8 % 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)-0.61 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryNo inherent corrosion resistance: rusts in moist air and water, attacked by acids and chlorides; requires oil, phosphate, zinc plating, blackening or paint. Acceptable in dry oil-lubricated environments.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 34Cr4 +C 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 Water55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

34Cr4 +C's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability poor (30/100).

MachinabilityGood62/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)65%
WeldabilityFair40/100
Formability (cold)Poor30/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood55/100
PolishabilityGood60/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use phosphating, black oxide, zinc/nickel plating or nitriding instead

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

Working with 34Cr4 +C

Is 34Cr4 easy to machine?

Machine in the +A/+AC condition (65 % of 1212) with carbide or HSS; in +QT at ~280 HB use coated carbide, rigid setups and lower feeds — sulphurized 34CrS4 cuts noticeably better.

Can 34Cr4 be welded?

Weldable only with care (CE ≈ 0.6–0.7): preheat 200–300 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and stress-relief/re-temper at 550–650 °C to avoid HAZ cracking.

Can 34Cr4 be formed, bent or molded?

Cold head or upset only in +AC spheroidized condition; hot forge 1100–850 °C, then normalize before hardening (austenitize 830–870 °C, oil quench, temper 540–680 °C).

What surface finishes work on 34Cr4?

No corrosion resistance — protect with phosphating and oil, black oxide, zinc or Zn-Ni plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement above ~1000 MPa); surfaces can be induction hardened or nitrided.

34Cr4 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
C0.3 – 0.370.34
Si≤ 0.40.25
Mn0.6 – 0.90.75
Cr0.9 – 1.21.05
P≤ 0.03—
S34CrS4 variant: S 0.020–0.040 for improved machinability≤ 0.04—
Moresidual only, not alloyed≤ 0.1—
Febalance—

34Cr4 +C — frequently asked

What is 34Cr4 +C used for?

34Cr4 +C is typically used for bolts, shafts and connecting rods. In short: entry-level Cr through-hardening steel; medium-strength Q&T grade; limited weldability.

What is the yield strength of 34Cr4 +C?

34Cr4 +C has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.

Is 34Cr4 +C easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machine in the +A/+AC condition (65 % of 1212) with carbide or HSS; in +QT at ~280 HB use coated carbide, rigid setups and lower feeds — sulphurized 34CrS4 cuts noticeably better.

Can 34Cr4 +C be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Weldable only with care (CE ≈ 0.6–0.7): preheat 200–300 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and stress-relief/re-temper at 550–650 °C to avoid HAZ cracking.

What surface finishes work on 34Cr4 +C?

No corrosion resistance — protect with phosphating and oil, black oxide, zinc or Zn-Ni plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement above ~1000 MPa); surfaces can be induction hardened or nitrided.

Can 34Cr4 +C be formed, bent or molded?

Cold head or upset only in +AC spheroidized condition; hot forge 1100–850 °C, then normalize before hardening (austenitize 830–870 °C, oil quench, temper 540–680 °C).

What is the maximum service temperature of 34Cr4 +C?

34Cr4 +C is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °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 — Alloy steels — CEN (2006)
  2. ISO 683-2 Heat-treatable steels, alloy steels and free-cutting steels — ISO (2016)
  3. SAE J404 Chemical Compositions of SAE Alloy Steels (5132) — SAE International (2009)
  4. GB/T 3077 (34Cr / 35Cr) — SAC (2015)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
  6. ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating — ASM International (1991)
  7. Engineering steel 1.7033 / 34Cr4 bar datasheet — European long-products mill (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.