Steel 36NiCrMo16
EN 36NiCrMo16
36NiCrMo16 (1.6773) is a very high-hardenability Ni-Cr-Mo quenched and tempered steel within the EN 10083/10250 family, alloyed heavily enough to through-harden thick forged sections.
Reference datasheet — 36NiCrMo16 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the +QT-40 condition
36NiCrMo16 tempers and conditions
36NiCrMo16 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. +QT-40 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for machining, deep drilling or cold straightening of bar before final quench and temper. | 520 | 800 | 16 | 21 HRC | — |
+QT | Heavy forgings and thick shafts — the section size where this grade's nickel content really pays off versus 34CrNiMo6. | 860 | 1,100 | 13 | 35 HRC | — |
+QT | Medium-section shafts and gear blanks where 900 MPa minimum yield with better toughness is wanted. | 960 | 1,200 | 12 | 38 HRC | — |
Normalized | Rarely supplied as a delivery condition — the 4 % Ni gives air-hardening, so a normalise leaves a hard martensitic/bainitic structure needing tempering. | 1,050 | 1,450 | 9 | 46 HRC | 5.4 % IACS |
+QT then gas/plasma nitrided | Use where a wear- and fatigue-resistant surface is needed on a tough high-strength core (gears, spindles, hydraulic rods). | 1,050 | 1,250 | 11 | 58 HRC | 5.7 % IACS |
+QT-40Default +QT | Standard stocked condition for bar and small forgings; the usual specification reference for this grade. | 1,120 | 1,330 | 11 | 42 HRC | — |
+SH / peeled-turned bar in +QT condition | Q&T bar supplied peeled and straightened to close tolerance with a decarb-free surface for direct machining. | 1,120 | 1,330 | 11 | 42 HRC | 5.7 % IACS |
+QT | Small-diameter bar for highly stressed bolts, pins and shafts at the top strength class. | 1,150 | 1,350 | 10 | 43 HRC | — |
Q&T low-temper | Choose for ultra-high-strength aerospace/landing-gear-type parts; toughness and hydrogen sensitivity become the design drivers. | 1,400 | 1,600 | 9 | 48 HRC | — |
What is 36NiCrMo16?
36NiCrMo16 (1.6773) is a very high-hardenability Ni-Cr-Mo quenched and tempered steel within the EN 10083/10250 family, alloyed heavily enough to through-harden thick forged sections. In the default +QT condition it provides about 1120 MPa yield, 1330 MPa tensile, 11 % elongation and 400 HB (42 HRC), with service to roughly 350 °C, and is supplied as large bar, forging stock and nitrided or through-hardened components. The trade-offs are poor weldability (CEV approx. 1.2), low machinability (score 30) in the hardened state and air-hardening behaviour that demands controlled cooling; lower-alloy 34CrNiMo6 is the usual choice for thinner sections. 36NiCrMo16 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). 36NiCrMo16 has a yield strength of 1,120 MPa (162 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,330 MPa (193 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is 36NiCrMo16 used for?
- Large forged shafts
- Heavy machinery components
- High-strength structural forgings
Advantages
- High strength — 1,120 MPa (162 ksi), better than 93% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 11%, worse than 89% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 89% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of steel grades
36NiCrMo16 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 36NiCrMo16-+QT-40; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
36NiCrMo16 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
36NiCrMo16 has a yield strength of 1,120 MPa (162 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,330 MPa (193 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
36NiCrMo16 is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
36NiCrMo16 conducts electricity at 5.7 % IACS, worse than 80% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 36NiCrMo16 takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
36NiCrMo16's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 89% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. 36NiCrMo16 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 36NiCrMo16
Is 36NiCrMo16 easy to machine?
Machine in the +A condition (≈235 HB) where possible; in +QT at 40+ HRC use rigid setups, coated carbide or CBN, low speed and heavy positive feed to stay under the work-hardened layer.
Can 36NiCrMo16 be welded?
Poor weldability (CEV ≈ 1.2): avoid if possible, otherwise preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, immediate post-weld temper below the part's tempering temperature.
Can 36NiCrMo16 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–850 °C then slow-cool/anneal to prevent air-hardening cracks; no meaningful cold forming in the hardened state — straighten warm or after tempering.
36NiCrMo16 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 – 0.39 | 0.36 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S≤0.035 for base grade; ≤0.005 for +S-controlled / vacuum-degassed variants | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 1.6 – 2 | 1.8 |
| Mo | 0.25 – 0.45 | 0.35 |
| Nisource of the very high hardenability | 3.6 – 4.1 | 3.85 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 36NiCrMo16?
Not anodizable; protect with phosphate + oil, Zn-Ni or Cd plating (bake 190 °C ≥ 8 h to de-embrittle), hard chrome or nitriding for wear surfaces; takes a fine polish for die and mould applications.
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 36NiCrMo16 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.6773
How much does 36NiCrMo16 cost?
36NiCrMo16 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
36NiCrMo16 — frequently asked
What is 36NiCrMo16 used for?
36NiCrMo16 is typically used for large forged shafts, heavy machinery components and high-strength structural forgings. In short: through-hardens thick sections; highest strength Ni-Cr-Mo grade; very poor weldability.
What is the yield strength of 36NiCrMo16?
36NiCrMo16 has a typical yield strength of 1,120 MPa (162 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,330 MPa (193 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 36NiCrMo16 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 89% of steel grades). Machine in the +A condition (≈235 HB) where possible; in +QT at 40+ HRC use rigid setups, coated carbide or CBN, low speed and heavy positive feed to stay under the work-hardened layer.
Can 36NiCrMo16 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Poor weldability (CEV ≈ 1.2): avoid if possible, otherwise preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, immediate post-weld temper below the part's tempering temperature.
What surface finishes work on 36NiCrMo16?
Not anodizable; protect with phosphate + oil, Zn-Ni or Cd plating (bake 190 °C ≥ 8 h to de-embrittle), hard chrome or nitriding for wear surfaces; takes a fine polish for die and mould applications.
Can 36NiCrMo16 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–850 °C then slow-cool/anneal to prevent air-hardening cracks; no meaningful cold forming in the hardened state — straighten warm or after tempering.
What is the maximum service temperature of 36NiCrMo16?
36NiCrMo16 is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 36NiCrMo16 +QT-40 and 36NiCrMo16 QT-1600?
+QT-40 is the default condition — standard stocked condition for bar and small forgings; the usual specification reference for this grade. QT-1600: choose for ultra-high-strength aerospace/landing-gear-type parts; toughness and hydrogen sensitivity become the design drivers. Yield strength is 1,120 MPa in +QT-40 versus 1,400 MPa in QT-1600.
How much does 36NiCrMo16 cost?
36NiCrMo16 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
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)
- EN 10027-2 / Werkstoff 1.6773 designation system — CEN (2015)
- 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)
- Ni-Cr-Mo through-hardening steel bar datasheets (1.6773 / 35NCD16 class) — European special steel producers (2023)
- GB/T 3077 (34CrNi3Mo comparable grade) — 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.