Steel 38CrMoAlA Normalized
Heat-treated state
GB 38CrMoAlA · EN 38CrMoAl A, 41CrAlMo7-10
Use to homogenise forgings and refine grain before quenching; not a final service condition.
Values for the Normalized condition
Other 38CrMoAlA tempers and conditions
38CrMoAlA is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 38CrMoAlA.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed (softened, ≤229 HB) | Pick for rough machining of large blanks or for stock that will be fully heat treated afterwards. | 450 | 720 | 20 | 210 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest mill condition for forging or re-heat-treatment; hardness and structure not controlled for machining. | 550 | 850 | 16 | 25 HRC | 8.2 % IACS |
NormalizedThis page Normalized (~930–950 °C, air cooled) | Use to homogenise forgings and refine grain before quenching; not a final service condition. | 620 | 900 | 15 | 27 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick for small-diameter precision shafting where dimensional accuracy matters more than core strength. | 700 | 850 | 10 | 25 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Q&T to 28–32 HRC | Specify when impact toughness and machinability of the finished part outweigh core strength. | 830 | 980 | 17 | 30 HRC | — |
Q&TDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard supply and pre-nitriding condition: tough ~1000 MPa core that stays dimensionally stable during nitriding. | 880 | 1,030 | 16 | 32 HRC | — |
Q&T + gas/ion nitrided | The service condition for this grade: extreme surface hardness and wear/scuffing resistance on a tough Q&T core. | 880 | 1,030 | 14 | 68 HRC | — |
Q&T to 32–36 HRC | Choose for heavily loaded screws, spindles and gears where core strength governs before nitriding. | 950 | 1,100 | 14 | 34 HRC | — |
What is 38CrMoAlA Normalized?
38CrMoAlA Normalized is 38CrMoAlA heat treated to Normalized — use to homogenise forgings and refine grain before quenching; not a final service condition. 38CrMoAlA Normalized has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 38CrMoAlA Normalized has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Q&T is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Normalized is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 480°C (896 °F), better than 88% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- High strength — 620 MPa (89.9 ksi), better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 22/100, worse than 81% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 62 MPa·√m (56.4 ksi·√in), worse than 76% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 35 W/m·K (20.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of steel grades
38CrMoAlA Normalized properties
Typical room-temperature values for 38CrMoAlA Normalized; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 38CrMoAlA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
38CrMoAlA Normalized has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
38CrMoAlA Normalized has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
38CrMoAlA Normalized is rated for continuous service to 480°C (896 °F). It conducts heat at 35 W/m·K (20.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 75% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
38CrMoAlA Normalized 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 38CrMoAlA Normalized takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
38CrMoAlA Normalized's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 73% of steel grades); weldability poor (22/100); formability poor (26/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 38CrMoAlA Normalized
Is 38CrMoAlA easy to machine?
Machine in the Q&T condition with rigid setups, coated carbide and generous coolant; finish-grind after nitriding since the case is essentially unmachinable.
Can 38CrMoAlA be welded?
Poor weldability — high Al/Cr/Mo and 0.38 % C give hardening and cracking; if unavoidable use 250–350 °C preheat, low-hydrogen filler and immediate stress relief below the temper temperature, and never weld a nitrided surface.
Can 38CrMoAlA be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge at 1150–850 °C followed by slow cooling and annealing; cold forming is impractical except mild straightening of soft bar.
What surface finishes work on 38CrMoAlA?
Stress relieve at 550–600 °C before nitriding, then gas or plasma nitride at 500–540 °C for 0.3–0.6 mm case; finish by lapping/polishing or light grinding, and oil, phosphate or blacken any non-nitrided surface for rust protection.
38CrMoAlA 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 |
| Si | 0.2 – 0.45 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Cr | 1.35 – 1.65 | 1.5 |
| Mo | 0.15 – 0.25 | 0.2 |
| Alnitride former — key to the AlN-rich hard case | 0.7 – 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| PA grade = high quality, restricted P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| SA grade = high quality, restricted S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
38CrMoAlA Normalized — frequently asked
What is 38CrMoAlA Normalized used for?
38CrMoAlA Normalized is typically used for nitrided precision shafts, extruder and injection screws, gears and pinions, machine tool spindles, valve stems and spindles and hydraulic piston rods. In short: nitridable Cr-Mo-Al bar.
What is the yield strength of 38CrMoAlA Normalized?
38CrMoAlA Normalized has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 38CrMoAlA Normalized easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 73% of steel grades). Machine in the Q&T condition with rigid setups, coated carbide and generous coolant; finish-grind after nitriding since the case is essentially unmachinable.
Can 38CrMoAlA Normalized be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (22/100). Poor weldability — high Al/Cr/Mo and 0.38 % C give hardening and cracking; if unavoidable use 250–350 °C preheat, low-hydrogen filler and immediate stress relief below the temper temperature, and never weld a nitrided surface.
What surface finishes work on 38CrMoAlA Normalized?
Stress relieve at 550–600 °C before nitriding, then gas or plasma nitride at 500–540 °C for 0.3–0.6 mm case; finish by lapping/polishing or light grinding, and oil, phosphate or blacken any non-nitrided surface for rust protection.
Can 38CrMoAlA Normalized be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge at 1150–850 °C followed by slow cooling and annealing; cold forming is impractical except mild straightening of soft bar.
What is the maximum service temperature of 38CrMoAlA Normalized?
38CrMoAlA Normalized is rated for continuous use to about 480°C (896 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 38CrMoAlA Q&T and 38CrMoAlA-HR?
Q&T is the default condition — standard supply and pre-nitriding condition: tough ~1000 MPa core that stays dimensionally stable during nitriding. HR: cheapest mill condition for forging or re-heat-treatment; hardness and structure not controlled for machining. Yield strength is 880 MPa in Q&T versus 550 MPa in HR.
Can FabDigit make parts in 38CrMoAlA Normalized?
Yes — 38CrMoAlA Normalized 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
- 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 (nitriding steels) — ASM International (2013)
- 38CrMoAl / 34CrAlMo5 nitriding steel bar datasheet — / Böhler (2022)
- (38CrMoAlA) — Mysteel / 1688 (2026)
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.