FabDigitFabDigit

Steel 4037 QT-22-26HRC

Hardness band

AISI/SAE 4037 · UNS G40370

Toughest Q&T level; choose for shock-loaded shafts and couplings where impact matters more than strength.

Budget cost $

Values for the QT-22-26HRC condition

Other 4037 tempers and conditions

4037 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 4037.

Compare all 8 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Hot rolled
Cheapest mill condition for parts that will be heat treated after rough machining or forging.38062022179 HB—
Solution annealed
Softest, most machinable and most formable condition; use before quench and temper or for cold heading stock.40058527170 HB—
Normalized
Uniform fine-grain structure and mid-range strength for forgings and weld fabrications not requiring full Q&T.45069022200 HB—
Cold drawn
Close-tolerance bright bar with raised yield strength for shafts and screw-machine work with no further heat treatment.58569015200 HB—
QT-22-26HRCThis page
quenched and tempered, ~250 HB
Toughest Q&T level; choose for shock-loaded shafts and couplings where impact matters more than strength.7008302024 HRC—
quenched and tempered, ~285 HB
Standard general-purpose condition for machined shafts, studs and high-strength fasteners.8609651830 HRC—
quenched and tempered, ~320 HB
Higher-strength Q&T level typical of SAE J429 Grade 8 / ASTM A354 BC fastener requirements.9651,0801534 HRC—
quenched and low-temperature tempered
Maximum-strength condition for small wear parts and pins; reduced ductility and notch sensitivity must be accepted.1,2401,3801242 HRC—

What is 4037 QT-22-26HRC?

4037 QT-22-26HRC is 4037 heat treated to QT-22-26HRC — toughest Q&T level; choose for shock-loaded shafts and couplings where impact matters more than strength. 4037 QT-22-26HRC has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 4037 QT-22-26HRC has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,416°C (2,581 °F). QT-28-32HRC is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT-22-26HRC is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 700 MPa (102 ksi), better than 81% of steel grades

4037 QT-22-26HRC properties

Typical room-temperature values for 4037 QT-22-26HRC; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 4037 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

4037 QT-22-26HRC has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,416°C (2,581 °F).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,416°C2,581 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,495°C2,723 °F

Mechanical16

4037 QT-22-26HRC has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)830 MPa120 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)700 MPa102 ksi
Elongation at Break20%
Reduction in Area56%
Compressive Strength870 MPa126 ksi
Shear Strength580 MPa84.1 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)400 MPa58 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)55 J40.6 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell248 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C24 HRC
Hardness, Vickers260 HV

Thermal6

4037 QT-22-26HRC 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 12.2 µm/m·K (6.78 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity475 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)400°C752 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

4037 QT-22-26HRC conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.61 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in moist air and rapidly in chlorides or dilute acids; requires oil, phosphate, zinc plating, paint or other coating. Adequate in dry, oiled or alkaline service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 4037 QT-22-26HRC takes about 31 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)31 MJ/kg13,328 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability7

4037 QT-22-26HRC's machinability is good (56/100, better than 71% of steel grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability fair (35/100).

MachinabilityGood56/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)60%
WeldabilityFair50/100
Formability (cold)Fair35/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood60/100
PolishabilityGood62/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use zinc/zinc-nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate or paint instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 4037 QT-22-26HRC

Is 4037 easy to machine?

Machine in the annealed or ≤32 HRC Q&T condition with coated carbide, ~120–180 m/min; above 36 HRC expect tool wear and prefer grinding or hard turning with CBN.

Can 4037 be welded?

Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables but the ~0.37 %C requires 200–300 °C preheat, interpass control and post-weld temper/stress relief to avoid HAZ cracking.

Can 4037 be formed, bent or molded?

Cold heading and bending are practical only in the annealed/spheroidized state; hot forge 1200 °C down to ~950 °C then normalize before quench and temper.

What surface finishes work on 4037?

No inherent corrosion resistance — specify zinc, zinc-nickel or chrome plating, black oxide, phosphate-and-oil or paint; bake after plating at ≥190 °C to relieve hydrogen embrittlement above 32 HRC.

4037 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
C0.35 – 0.40.37
Mn0.7 – 0.90.8
Si0.15 – 0.350.25
Mo0.2 – 0.30.25
P≤ 0.04—
S≤ 0.04—
Febalance—

4037 QT-22-26HRC — frequently asked

What is 4037 QT-22-26HRC used for?

4037 QT-22-26HRC is typically used for bolts, studs, shafts and gears. In short: strongest 40xx moly grade; wide Q&T hardness range; good strength-to-cost ratio.

What is the yield strength of 4037 QT-22-26HRC?

4037 QT-22-26HRC has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 81% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.

Is 4037 QT-22-26HRC easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (56/100, better than 71% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed or ≤32 HRC Q&T condition with coated carbide, ~120–180 m/min; above 36 HRC expect tool wear and prefer grinding or hard turning with CBN.

Can 4037 QT-22-26HRC be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables but the ~0.37 %C requires 200–300 °C preheat, interpass control and post-weld temper/stress relief to avoid HAZ cracking.

What surface finishes work on 4037 QT-22-26HRC?

No inherent corrosion resistance — specify zinc, zinc-nickel or chrome plating, black oxide, phosphate-and-oil or paint; bake after plating at ≥190 °C to relieve hydrogen embrittlement above 32 HRC.

Can 4037 QT-22-26HRC be formed, bent or molded?

Cold heading and bending are practical only in the annealed/spheroidized state; hot forge 1200 °C down to ~950 °C then normalize before quench and temper.

What is the maximum service temperature of 4037 QT-22-26HRC?

4037 QT-22-26HRC 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.

What is the difference between 4037 QT-28-32HRC and 4037-HR?

QT-28-32HRC is the default condition — standard general-purpose condition for machined shafts, studs and high-strength fasteners. HR: cheapest mill condition for parts that will be heat treated after rough machining or forging. Yield strength is 860 MPa in QT-28-32HRC versus 380 MPa in HR.

Sources

  1. SAE J404 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Alloy Steels — SAE International (2021)
  2. SAE J429 — Mechanical and Material Requirements for Externally Threaded Fasteners — SAE International (2014)
  3. ASTM A322 — Standard Specification for Steel Bars, Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol. 4A — Steel Heat Treating Fundamentals and Processes — ASM International (2013)
  6. Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. — 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.