Steel 40NCD3-HR (Hot rolled)
Supply condition
EN 40NCD3
Cheapest mill condition for stock that will be fully heat treated after rough machining.
Values for the HR condition
Other 40NCD3 tempers and conditions
40NCD3 is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at 40NCD3.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Choose for deep machining, cold sawing or before customer heat treatment; max ~241 HB per EN 10083-3. | 450 | 700 | 20 | 210 HB | — |
HRThis page Hot rolled | Cheapest mill condition for stock that will be fully heat treated after rough machining. | 480 | 780 | 17 | 22 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
Normalized | Uniform fine-grain structure for forgings before final Q&T, or for moderately stressed parts. | 520 | 830 | 18 | 24 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Pick for close-tolerance small-diameter bar used as-supplied without further heat treatment. | 620 | 800 | 12 | 22 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
+QT 22–26 HRC | Use for heavy sections (>100 mm), maximum toughness, or where NACE MR0175 caps hardness at 22 HRC. | 640 | 870 | 16 | 24 HRC | — |
Nitrided | Choose when a hard, low-distortion wear/fatigue skin is needed on an already tempered part (temper ≥ 570 °C required). | 780 | 980 | 12 | 55 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
QT28-32Default +QT 28–32 HRC | The standard stock condition: best strength/toughness/machinability balance for shafts, connecting rods and forgings. | 800 | 1,000 | 14 | 31 HRC | — |
Induction hardened | Use for journal/bearing surfaces needing 52–58 HRC wear resistance over a tough ~300 HB core. | 800 | 1,000 | 13 | 55 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
+QT 32–36 HRC | Pick for higher-loaded shafts, gear blanks and mould bases where some machining is still needed. | 950 | 1,150 | 12 | 34 HRC | — |
+QT 36–40 HRC | Highest practical Q&T level for this lean Ni-Cr-Mo grade in thin sections; toughness and machinability drop noticeably. | 1,100 | 1,300 | 10 | 38 HRC | — |
What is 40NCD3-HR?
40NCD3-HR is 40NCD3 supplied in the HR condition — cheapest mill condition for stock that will be fully heat treated after rough machining. 40NCD3-HR has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 59% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 208 GPa (30.2 Msi). 40NCD3-HR 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). QT28-32 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
40NCD3-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 40NCD3-HR; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 40NCD3 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
40NCD3-HR 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
40NCD3-HR has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 59% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 208 GPa (30.2 Msi).
Thermal6
40NCD3-HR is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 44 W/m·K (25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
40NCD3-HR conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 40NCD3-HR takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
40NCD3-HR's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability fair (38/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 40NCD3-HR
Is 40NCD3 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed or ≤32 HRC condition with coated carbide, 80–140 m/min and rigid setups; above 36 HRC switch to CBN/ceramic or grind.
Can 40NCD3 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables but requires 200–300 °C preheat, controlled interpass and 550–650 °C post-weld temper; welding above 32 HRC risks HAZ cracking.
Can 40NCD3 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1200 °C, finish above 850 °C, then normalize; cold forming limited to mild bending in the annealed condition.
What surface finishes work on 40NCD3?
No natural corrosion protection — use phosphating + oil, black oxide, zinc or hard-chrome plating (bake at 190 °C to avoid hydrogen embrittlement); polishes well to mirror finish for mould applications.
40NCD3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CAFNOR 40NCD3 / EN 40NiCrMo2-2 (1.6546) | 0.36 – 0.44 | 0.4 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.9 | 0.7 |
| NiAFNOR digit 3 ≈ Ni 0.75 % | 0.4 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| Cr | 0.35 – 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Mo | 0.15 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S0.020–0.040 for free-machining +S versions | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance | — |
40NCD3-HR — frequently asked
What is 40NCD3-HR used for?
40NCD3-HR is typically used for shafts, gears and structural forgings. In short: pre-hard shaft steel; nitrides and induction hardens; weldable with preheat.
What is the yield strength of 40NCD3-HR?
40NCD3-HR has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 59% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 40NCD3-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed or ≤32 HRC condition with coated carbide, 80–140 m/min and rigid setups; above 36 HRC switch to CBN/ceramic or grind.
Can 40NCD3-HR be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables but requires 200–300 °C preheat, controlled interpass and 550–650 °C post-weld temper; welding above 32 HRC risks HAZ cracking.
What surface finishes work on 40NCD3-HR?
No natural corrosion protection — use phosphating + oil, black oxide, zinc or hard-chrome plating (bake at 190 °C to avoid hydrogen embrittlement); polishes well to mirror finish for mould applications.
Can 40NCD3-HR be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1200 °C, finish above 850 °C, then normalize; cold forming limited to mild bending in the annealed condition.
What is the maximum service temperature of 40NCD3-HR?
40NCD3-HR 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 40NCD3 QT28-32 and 40NCD3-HR?
QT28-32 is the default condition — the standard stock condition: best strength/toughness/machinability balance for shafts, connecting rods and forgings. HR: cheapest mill condition for stock that will be fully heat treated after rough machining. Yield strength is 800 MPa in QT28-32 versus 480 MPa in HR.
Sources
- EN 10083-3 Steels for quenching and tempering – 40NiCrMo2-2 (1.6546) — CEN (2006)
- NF A35-552 / AFNOR alloy structural steels (40NCD3) — AFNOR (1993)
- GB/T 3077 (40CrNiMoA) — SAC (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)
- Q&T engineering steel bar datasheets (40NiCrMo2-2 / 4340 class) — Ovako / Böhler (2022)
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.