Steel 36CrNiMo4 Nitrided
Finish state
EN 36CrNiMo4 · BS 816M40
Adds a hard, wear- and fatigue-resistant case on a Q&T core with minimal distortion.
Values for the Nitrided condition
Other 36CrNiMo4 tempers and conditions
36CrNiMo4 is listed in 13 conditions; see the grade overview at 36CrNiMo4.
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 | — |
NitridedThis page 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 Nitrided?
36CrNiMo4 Nitrided is 36CrNiMo4 supplied in the Nitrided condition — adds a hard, wear- and fatigue-resistant case on a Q&T core with minimal distortion. 36CrNiMo4 Nitrided 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 13% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 36CrNiMo4 Nitrided 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). Q&T is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Nitrided is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 22/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- 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
- High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 86% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 13%, worse than 78% of steel grades
36CrNiMo4 Nitrided properties
Typical room-temperature values for 36CrNiMo4 Nitrided; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 36CrNiMo4 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
36CrNiMo4 Nitrided 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 Nitrided 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 13% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
36CrNiMo4 Nitrided is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °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 Nitrided has an electrical resistivity of 2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), better than 90% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 36CrNiMo4 Nitrided 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 Nitrided's machinability is not recommended (10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 36CrNiMo4 Nitrided
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.
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.
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 | — |
36CrNiMo4 Nitrided — frequently asked
What is 36CrNiMo4 Nitrided used for?
36CrNiMo4 Nitrided 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 Nitrided?
36CrNiMo4 Nitrided 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 Nitrided easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (10/100, worse than 99% 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 Nitrided be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). 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 Nitrided?
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 Nitrided 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 Nitrided?
36CrNiMo4 Nitrided 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 36CrNiMo4 Nitrided?
Yes — 36CrNiMo4 Nitrided 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.