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Steel 40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC

Hardness band

GB 40CrMnMo

QT-28-32HRC = q&T 28–32 HRC (≈269–302 HB) pre-hardened block

Pre-hardened plate/block for large plastic moulds and jig plates machined in the delivered state.

Budget cost $

Values for the QT-28-32HRC condition

Other 40CrMnMo tempers and conditions

40CrMnMo is listed in 11 conditions; see the grade overview at 40CrMnMo.

Compare all 11 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Solution annealed
Softest condition for deep machining, cold shearing or before final quench-and-temper.39066022197 HB—
Hot rolled
Cheapest mill condition for stock that will be re-heat-treated after rough machining.5208201521 HRC8 % IACS
Normalized
Grain-refining pre-treatment for large forgings; also a low-cost medium-strength delivery state.6009001626 HRC8 % IACS
Cold drawn
Bright, size-accurate small-diameter bar for shafts and pins machined without further heat treatment.7208601025 HRC8 % IACS
QT-28-32HRCThis page
Q&T 28–32 HRC (≈269–302 HB) pre-hardened block
Pre-hardened plate/block for large plastic moulds and jig plates machined in the delivered state.8209801530 HRC8 % IACS
QT600Default
oil quench 850 °C + temper 600 °C ( , ≥980 MPa)
Standard GB/T 3077 delivery condition — best strength/toughness balance for shafts, gears and heavy forgings.8501,0301431 HRC—
Nitrided
Choose when a hard, fatigue-boosting 0.2–0.5 mm case is needed on a tough Q&T core with minimal distortion.8501,0301356 HRC8 % IACS
Induction hardened
For journal and spline wear surfaces on Q&T shafts needing a hard, compressively stressed skin.8501,0301454 HRC7.5 % IACS
Q&T 32–36 HRC (≈302–341 HB)
Higher-hardness Q&T for mill rolls, mandrels and wear-loaded shafts still machinable with carbide.9701,1201234 HRC8 % IACS
oil quench + temper 550 °C (≈38–42 HRC)
Higher-strength temper for highly loaded medium-section parts where toughness can be traded for strength.1,1501,3001140 HRC—
oil quench + temper 450 °C (≈45–48 HRC)
Maximum practical hardness temper for wear parts; low toughness and temper-brittleness risk, use only in small sections.1,3501,500946 HRC7.5 % IACS

What is 40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC?

40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC is 40CrMnMo heat treated to QT-28-32HRC — pre-hardened plate/block for large plastic moulds and jig plates machined in the delivered state. 40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC has a yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 980 MPa (142 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC 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). QT600 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT-28-32HRC is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 820 MPa (119 ksi), better than 87% of steel grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited formability — 24/100, worse than 76% of steel grades

40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC properties

Typical room-temperature values for 40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 40CrMnMo reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,420°C2,588 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,495°C2,723 °F

Mechanical16

40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC has a yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 980 MPa (142 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)980 MPa142 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)820 MPa119 ksi
Elongation at Break15%
Reduction in Area52%
Compressive Strength850 MPa123 ksi
Shear Strength600 MPa87 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)460 MPa66.7 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)80 J59 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell285 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C30 HRC
Hardness, Vickers302 HV

Thermal6

40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC 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 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.3 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

40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC 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)-0.6 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryNo inherent corrosion resistance: rusts in humid air and water, attacked by acids and chlorides; requires oil, phosphate, paint, black-oxide, nitriding or plating. Adequate in dry oil-lubricated service and in alkaline media.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.1 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability6

40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC's machinability is fair (54/100, better than 54% of steel grades); weldability poor (33/100); formability poor (24/100).

MachinabilityFair54/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)57%
WeldabilityPoor33/100
Formability (cold)Poor24/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair50/100
PolishabilityGood65/100

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

Working with 40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC

Is 40CrMnMo easy to machine?

Rough machine annealed (≈197 HB) then Q&T; at 300 HB use rigid setups, coated carbide at 90–140 m/min and positive rake to control work-hardening and built-up edge.

Can 40CrMnMo be welded?

CE ≈ 0.85 — preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, interpass control and immediate post-weld temper at 30–50 °C below the part's tempering temperature; avoid welding above 40 HRC.

Can 40CrMnMo be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1150–850 °C with slow cooling or immediate anneal to prevent flake/quench cracks; cold forming limited to the annealed state and gentle bends.

What surface finishes work on 40CrMnMo?

No corrosion resistance bare — protect with oil, phosphating, black oxide, paint, hard chrome or nitriding; VD-degassed heats polish to mould-grade SPI-B finishes.

40CrMnMo 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
CGB/T 30770.37 – 0.450.41
Si0.17 – 0.370.27
Mnraised vs 42CrMo4 for hardenability0.9 – 1.21.05
Cr0.9 – 1.21.05
Mo0.2 – 0.30.25
Niresidual≤ 0.3—
Curesidual≤ 0.25—
P0.025 max for high-grade quality≤ 0.03—
S0.025 max for high-grade quality≤ 0.03—
Febalance—

40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC — frequently asked

What is 40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC used for?

40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC is typically used for large shafts, rolling mill parts and heavy forgings. In short: deep-hardening 42CrMo4 type; suits large forged sections; nitridable and induction-hardenable.

What is the yield strength of 40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC?

40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC has a typical yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 980 MPa (142 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.

Is 40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (54/100, better than 54% of steel grades). Rough machine annealed (≈197 HB) then Q&T; at 300 HB use rigid setups, coated carbide at 90–140 m/min and positive rake to control work-hardening and built-up edge.

Can 40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (33/100). CE ≈ 0.85 — preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, interpass control and immediate post-weld temper at 30–50 °C below the part's tempering temperature; avoid welding above 40 HRC.

What surface finishes work on 40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC?

No corrosion resistance bare — protect with oil, phosphating, black oxide, paint, hard chrome or nitriding; VD-degassed heats polish to mould-grade SPI-B finishes.

Can 40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1150–850 °C with slow cooling or immediate anneal to prevent flake/quench cracks; cold forming limited to the annealed state and gentle bends.

What is the maximum service temperature of 40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC?

40CrMnMo QT-28-32HRC 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 40CrMnMo-QT600 and 40CrMnMo-QT450?

QT600 is the default condition — standard GB/T 3077 delivery condition — best strength/toughness balance for shafts, gears and heavy forgings. QT450: maximum practical hardness temper for wear parts; low toughness and temper-brittleness risk, use only in small sections. Yield strength is 850 MPa in QT600 versus 1,350 MPa in QT450.

Sources

  1. GB/T 3077 Alloy structural steels (2015)
  2. EN 10083-3 Steels for quenching and tempering — alloy steels (42CrMo4 comparison) — CEN (2006)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating — ASM International (1991)

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.