Steel 38Cr2 +H
Grade
EN 38Cr2
+H = supplied to specified hardenability band
Order this when the part is hardened by the user and the as-quenched Jominy hardness band must be guaranteed; typical as-quenched (untempered) surface hardness 49–57 HRC.
Values for the +H condition
Other 38Cr2 tempers and conditions
38Cr2 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 38Cr2.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Best condition for cold forming, cold heading and heavy machining before final hardening; lowest hardness of all supply states. | 330 | 570 | 23 | 175 HB | — |
Annealed | General stock condition for bar to be machined and then heat treated by the user. | 360 | 620 | 21 | 195 HB | — |
Normalized | Uniform fine pearlitic structure for forgings and blanks that will be machined, case hardened or later Q&T. | 400 | 670 | 19 | 205 HB | — |
+QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard delivery condition for finished shafts, pins and small forgings needing 700–950 MPa strength with 35 J minimum CVN. | 560 | 800 | 15 | 23 HRC | — |
Annealed then cold drawn | Choose for close-tolerance bright bar used as-drawn for lightly loaded shafts, pins and bushings without further heat treatment. | 560 | 720 | 10 | 215 HB | — |
+QT small section | Pick for bars up to ~16 mm where the full 550 MPa minimum yield and top of the Rm band are needed. | 620 | 880 | 14 | 28 HRC | — |
+HThis page Supplied to specified hardenability band | Order this when the part is hardened by the user and the as-quenched Jominy hardness band must be guaranteed; typical as-quenched (untempered) surface hardness 49–57 HRC. | — | 1,700 | 2 | 53 HRC | — |
What is 38Cr2 +H?
38Cr2 +H is 38Cr2 in the +H grade — order this when the part is hardened by the user and the as-quenched Jominy hardness band must be guaranteed; typical as-quenched (untempered) surface hardness 49–57 HRC. 38Cr2 +H has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 38Cr2 +H 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 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; +H is available on request or by drawing note.
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
38Cr2 +H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 38Cr2 +H; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 38Cr2 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
38Cr2 +H 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
38Cr2 +H has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
38Cr2 +H is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 44 W/m·K (25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
38Cr2 +H conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 38Cr2 +H takes about 29 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 53% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
38Cr2 +H's machinability is poor (15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 38Cr2 +H
Is 38Cr2 easy to machine?
Machine in +A or +AC condition with carbide tooling (~60 % of 1212); after Q&T above 260 HB reduce speed 30–40 % and expect tool wear.
Can 38Cr2 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables at CE ≈ 0.6 — preheat 150–250 °C, control interpass, then stress relieve or re-temper; avoid welding fully hardened parts.
Can 38Cr2 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–850 °C then normalize or anneal; cold forming only in spheroidized (+AC) state, quench from 830–870 °C in oil and temper 540–680 °C.
What surface finishes work on 38Cr2?
No inherent corrosion resistance — specify phosphate + oil, zinc plating, black oxide, nitriding or hard chrome; bake after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement.
38Cr2 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 | 0.35 – 0.42 | 0.38 |
| Simax only | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| Cr | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Smax; lower S grades (+S) available for hardenability variants | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance | — |
38Cr2 +H — frequently asked
What is 38Cr2 +H used for?
38Cr2 +H is typically used for shafts, small forgings, bolts and axles. In short: easiest-welding chromium Q&T grade; modest hardenability, small sections; good annealed machinability.
What is the yield strength of 38Cr2 +H?
38Cr2 +H has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 38Cr2 +H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades). Machine in +A or +AC condition with carbide tooling (~60 % of 1212); after Q&T above 260 HB reduce speed 30–40 % and expect tool wear.
Can 38Cr2 +H be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables at CE ≈ 0.6 — preheat 150–250 °C, control interpass, then stress relieve or re-temper; avoid welding fully hardened parts.
What surface finishes work on 38Cr2 +H?
No inherent corrosion resistance — specify phosphate + oil, zinc plating, black oxide, nitriding or hard chrome; bake after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement.
Can 38Cr2 +H be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–850 °C then normalize or anneal; cold forming only in spheroidized (+AC) state, quench from 830–870 °C in oil and temper 540–680 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 38Cr2 +H?
38Cr2 +H is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- EN 10083-3 Steels for quenching and tempering — Alloy steels — CEN (2006)
- EN 10084 Case hardening steels / hardenability (+H) requirements — CEN (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 4A — Steel Heat Treating Fundamentals and Processes — ASM International (2013)
- Machinery's Handbook (machinability ratings) — Industrial Press (2020)
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.