Steel 36CrNiMo4
EN 36CrNiMo4 · BS 816M40
36CrNiMo4 (1.6511, AISI 9840) is a through-hardening Cr-Ni-Mo alloy steel from the EN 10083 family, where nickel plus molybdenum give good hardenability and toughness in heavy sections.
Values for the Q&T condition
36CrNiMo4 tempers and conditions
36CrNiMo4 is supplied in 13 conditions, soft to hard. Q&T is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 13 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Delivery state for bar that will be machined and then heat treated by the customer. | 450 | 760 | 18 | 220 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest mill delivery state for stock that will be forged or fully heat treated later. | 520 | 850 | 14 | 24 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Normalized | Grain-refined, uniform structure for forgings prior to final quench and temper. | 560 | 880 | 15 | 25 HRC | 8 % IACS |
+QT | Largest EN-covered section; choose when part diameter exceeds 160 mm. | 610 | 820 | 16 | 24 HRC | 8 % IACS |
+QT | Heavy forgings and large shafts where mass effect lowers as-quenched hardness. | 660 | 880 | 15 | 27 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Bright, close-tolerance bar for machined parts where full Q&T strength is not needed. | 720 | 900 | 10 | 26 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Q&TDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard stocked condition: best strength/toughness balance for medium and heavy shafts. | 780 | 1,000 | 14 | 32 HRC | — |
Q&T + gas/plasma nitrided surface | Adds a hard, wear- and fatigue-resistant case on a Q&T core with minimal distortion. | 780 | 1,000 | 13 | 58 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Q&T to 28–32 HRC | Tough, readily machinable hardness band for general shafting and gear blanks. | 800 | 980 | 15 | 30 HRC | 8 % IACS |
+QT | Typical class for medium-diameter shafting and highly loaded fasteners. | 880 | 1,100 | 12 | 36 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
Q&T to 32–36 HRC | Higher-strength band for heavily loaded shafts and holders still needing decent toughness. | 930 | 1,100 | 12 | 34 HRC | 8 % IACS |
+QT | Highest-strength EN class, for small-diameter bar, bolts and pins. | 980 | 1,200 | 11 | 39 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
Q&T to 38–42 HRC | Maximum practical strength band; use only for small sections where toughness margin is acceptable. | 1,120 | 1,300 | 10 | 40 HRC | — |
What is 36CrNiMo4?
36CrNiMo4 (1.6511, AISI 9840) is a through-hardening Cr-Ni-Mo alloy steel from the EN 10083 family, where nickel plus molybdenum give good hardenability and toughness in heavy sections. In the default quenched-and-tempered condition it provides 780 MPa yield, 1000 MPa tensile, 14 % elongation and 310 HB / 32 HRC with service to 400 °C; typical forms are bar and forged shaft or gear blanks, with +QT 16 through +QT 250 section classes on file. It welds only with preheat and post-weld temper and has no corrosion resistance, so protective finishing is needed. 42CrMo4 is the lower-cost alternative when nickel-level hardenability is not required. 36CrNiMo4 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). 36CrNiMo4 has a yield strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 86% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 36CrNiMo4 used for?
- Forged drive shafts
- Gears and pinions
- Crankshafts and connecting rods
- Heavy axle shafts
- Aerospace fittings
- High-strength bolts and studs
- Nitrided spindles and rams
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- High strength — 780 MPa (113 ksi), better than 86% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 75% of steel grades
36CrNiMo4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 36CrNiMo4-Q&T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
36CrNiMo4 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).
Mechanical16
36CrNiMo4 has a yield strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 86% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
36CrNiMo4 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
36CrNiMo4 has an electrical resistivity of 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 36CrNiMo4 takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
36CrNiMo4's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (20/100).
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. 36CrNiMo4 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 36CrNiMo4
Is 36CrNiMo4 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed or ≤32 HRC condition with rigid setups, carbide tooling and generous coolant; expect ~50 % of AISI 1212 speeds and heavy tool wear above 36 HRC.
Can 36CrNiMo4 be welded?
Weldable only with care: preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, interpass control and immediate post-weld temper below the last tempering temperature.
Can 36CrNiMo4 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–850 °C then slow cool/normalize; cold forming is limited to the soft-annealed state with generous bend radii.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 36CrNiMo4. Every 36CrNiMo4 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better45 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair20 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better25 / 100 |
36CrNiMo4 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 | 0.32 – 0.4 | 0.36 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S≤0.035 for +S variants; ≤0.025 for controlled-sulphur | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Cr | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| Mo | 0.15 – 0.3 | 0.22 |
| Ni | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 36CrNiMo4?
Requires protection — oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc/nickel or hard chrome plating (bake 190–220 °C against hydrogen embrittlement); polishes and nitrides very well.
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).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 36CrNiMo4 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.6511
- BS
- 816M40
- Other
- 4340
- Similar grades
- 9840
How much does 36CrNiMo4 cost?
36CrNiMo4 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 61% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
36CrNiMo4 — frequently asked
What is 36CrNiMo4 used for?
36CrNiMo4 is typically used for forged drive shafts, gears and pinions, crankshafts and connecting rods, heavy axle shafts, aerospace fittings and high-strength bolts and studs. In short: high-strength Ni-Cr-Mo bar.
What is the yield strength of 36CrNiMo4?
36CrNiMo4 has a typical yield strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 86% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is 36CrNiMo4 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed or ≤32 HRC condition with rigid setups, carbide tooling and generous coolant; expect ~50 % of AISI 1212 speeds and heavy tool wear above 36 HRC.
Can 36CrNiMo4 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Weldable only with care: preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, interpass control and immediate post-weld temper below the last tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on 36CrNiMo4?
Requires protection — oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc/nickel or hard chrome plating (bake 190–220 °C against hydrogen embrittlement); polishes and nitrides very well.
Can 36CrNiMo4 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–850 °C then slow cool/normalize; cold forming is limited to the soft-annealed state with generous bend radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of 36CrNiMo4?
36CrNiMo4 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 36CrNiMo4 cost?
36CrNiMo4 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 61% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 36CrNiMo4?
Yes — 36CrNiMo4 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 10083-3 Steels for quenching and tempering — Alloy steels — CEN (2006)
- EN 10250-3 Open die steel forgings — Alloy special steels — CEN (1999)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- Engineering steel 1.6511 / 36CrNiMo4 bar datasheet — Ovako / Lucchini RS (2022)
- GB/T 3077 (35CrNiMo comparison) — SAC (2015)
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.