FabDigitFabDigit

Steel 35NiCrMo16 QT-1850

Heat-treated state

EN 35NiCrMo16

QT-1850 = q&T 1800–2000 MPa

Only for compression-dominated or strength-critical parts; toughness and hydrogen-embrittlement resistance are at their lowest.

Premium cost $$$

Values for the QT-1850 condition

Other 35NiCrMo16 tempers and conditions

35NiCrMo16 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 35NiCrMo16.

Compare all 7 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Annealed
Pick for rough machining, deep hole drilling or cold straightening before final Q&T.6209001626 HRC—
Normalized
Intermediate stock condition for forgings before final quench and temper; not a service condition.8001,1501336 HRC5.9 % IACS
+QT 1100–1300 MPa
Standard EN 10083-3 condition for large-diameter bars and forgings where toughness is prioritised over peak strength.9501,2001338 HRC—
Q&T + gas/plasma nitrided
Choose when a wear-resistant, fatigue-strengthened surface is needed on an already tough Q&T core (gears, spindles, pins).1,1001,3001060 HRC—
+QT-1250Default
+QT 1250–1450 MPa
Default stocked condition: best balance of ~1350 MPa strength with 40+ J Charpy for shafts, gears and highly loaded fasteners.1,1501,3501143 HRC—
Q&T 1600–1800 MPa
Use for landing-gear and highly stressed aerospace parts where 1700 MPa is required; demands strict hydrogen and notch control.1,5001,700950 HRC—
QT-1850This page
Q&T 1800–2000 MPa
Only for compression-dominated or strength-critical parts; toughness and hydrogen-embrittlement resistance are at their lowest.1,6501,900754 HRC—

What is 35NiCrMo16 QT-1850?

35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 is 35NiCrMo16 heat treated to QT-1850 — only for compression-dominated or strength-critical parts; toughness and hydrogen-embrittlement resistance are at their lowest. 35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 has a yield strength of 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 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-1250 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT-1850 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 1,650 MPa (239 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 7%, worse than 96% of steel grades
  • Limited formability — 12/100, worse than 92% of steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 48 MPa·√m (43.7 ksi·√in), worse than 88% of steel grades

35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 properties

Typical room-temperature values for 35NiCrMo16 QT-1850; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 35NiCrMo16 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 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 Temperature1,490°C2,714 °F

Mechanical16

35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 has a yield strength of 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,900 MPa276 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,650 MPa239 ksi
Elongation at Break7%
Reduction in Area28%
Compressive Strength1,200 MPa174 ksi
Shear Strength810 MPa117 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)800 MPa116 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)48 MPa·√m43.7 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)16 J11.8 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell400 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C54 HRC
Hardness, Vickers590 HV

Thermal6

35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 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)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-60°C-76 °F

Electrical2

35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 has an electrical resistivity of 3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental2

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

Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in humid air, water and chlorides; requires Cd/Zn-Ni plating, phosphate+oil or paint. At high strength levels it is susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement, so acid pickling and electroplating must be followed by bake-out.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 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%

Manufacturability7

35NiCrMo16 QT-1850's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (12/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended12/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)12%
WeldabilityPoor15/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended12/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair40/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use zinc-nickel/cadmium plating, chrome plating or phosphating instead

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

Working with 35NiCrMo16 QT-1850

Is 35NiCrMo16 easy to machine?

Rough-machine in the +A condition (≈265 HB); in the Q&T state above 40 HRC use rigid setups, coated carbide or CBN at low feeds, and finish-grind close-tolerance features.

Can 35NiCrMo16 be welded?

Poor weldability due to high carbon equivalent — if unavoidable, preheat 250–350 °C, use low-hydrogen filler, maintain interpass temperature and re-temper below the last tempering temperature immediately after welding.

Can 35NiCrMo16 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1100–850 °C with slow post-forge cooling to avoid quench cracks; cold forming limited to mild straightening in the annealed state.

What surface finishes work on 35NiCrMo16?

No anodizing; protect with Zn-Ni or cadmium plating, hard chrome, phosphate+oil or primer/paint, and bake at 190–200 °C after plating to relieve hydrogen; nitriding or shot peening boosts fatigue life.

35NiCrMo16 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
CAFNOR NF A35-565 / EN 10083-30.32 – 0.390.35
Si≤ 0.350.25
Mn0.3 – 0.60.45
Paerospace melts typically ≤0.015≤ 0.030.01
S≤0.010 for aerospace≤ 0.020.01
Cr1.6 – 21.8
Mo0.25 – 0.450.35
Nigives very deep hardenability and low-temperature toughness3.6 – 4.13.85
Febalance—

35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 — frequently asked

What is 35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 used for?

35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 is typically used for landing gear, high-strength bolts, large gears and shafts. In short: deep-hardening Ni-Cr-Mo steel; tempers to 1850 MPa; poor weldability, low machinability.

What is the yield strength of 35NiCrMo16 QT-1850?

35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 has a typical yield strength of 1,650 MPa (239 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is 35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades). Rough-machine in the +A condition (≈265 HB); in the Q&T state above 40 HRC use rigid setups, coated carbide or CBN at low feeds, and finish-grind close-tolerance features.

Can 35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Poor weldability due to high carbon equivalent — if unavoidable, preheat 250–350 °C, use low-hydrogen filler, maintain interpass temperature and re-temper below the last tempering temperature immediately after welding.

What surface finishes work on 35NiCrMo16 QT-1850?

No anodizing; protect with Zn-Ni or cadmium plating, hard chrome, phosphate+oil or primer/paint, and bake at 190–200 °C after plating to relieve hydrogen; nitriding or shot peening boosts fatigue life.

Can 35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1100–850 °C with slow post-forge cooling to avoid quench cracks; cold forming limited to mild straightening in the annealed state.

What is the maximum service temperature of 35NiCrMo16 QT-1850?

35NiCrMo16 QT-1850 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.

What is the difference between 35NiCrMo16 +QT-1250 and 35NiCrMo16 QT-1850?

+QT-1250 is the default condition — default stocked condition: best balance of ~1350 MPa strength with 40+ J Charpy for shafts, gears and highly loaded fasteners. QT-1850: only for compression-dominated or strength-critical parts; toughness and hydrogen-embrittlement resistance are at their lowest. Yield strength is 1,150 MPa in +QT-1250 versus 1,650 MPa in QT-1850.

Sources

  1. EN 10083-3 Steels for quenching and tempering — Part 3: Alloy steels (36NiCrMo16 / 1.6773) — CEN (2006)
  2. NF A35-565 Aciers alliés de traitement thermique (35NiCrMo16) — AFNOR (1985)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. Stahlschlüssel (Key to Steel), entry 1.6773 — Verlag Stahlschlüssel Wegst (2019)
  5. High-strength Ni-Cr-Mo aerospace bar (36NiCrMo16) datasheet — Aubert & Duval / Lucchini / Böhler (2022)
  6. MMPDS-17 (comparative 4340/300M-class strength-toughness data) — Battelle/FAA (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.