Steel 50CrMo4
EN 50CrMo4
A medium-carbon chromium-molybdenum alloy steel with higher carbon than 42CrMo4, offering greater strength and hardness after quench-and-temper treatment, used in demanding structural and tooling applications.
Reference datasheet — 50CrMo4 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the +QT condition
50CrMo4 tempers and conditions
50CrMo4 is supplied in 13 conditions, soft to hard. +QT is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 13 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Choose for machining, deep drilling or cold sawing before final hardening. | 440 | 760 | 18 | 230 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest stock form, bought for forging or full re-heat-treatment by the user. | 500 | 850 | 14 | 25 HRC | 8.2 % IACS |
Normalized | Uniform pearlitic structure for forging stock or before final quench-and-temper. | 550 | 900 | 15 | 27 HRC | — |
+QT | Large-diameter forged shafts and rolls where only partial hardening depth is possible. | 570 | 870 | 14 | 26 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
+QT | Medium shafts and forgings; strength reduced by mass effect. | 700 | 1,000 | 12 | 31 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Close-tolerance bright bar for parts finished without further heat treatment. | 700 | 880 | 10 | 26 HRC | 8.2 % IACS |
Q&T to 28–32 HRC | Pick when impact toughness and machinability matter more than wear. | 830 | 980 | 15 | 30 HRC | — |
+QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard stocked condition: oil/polymer quench from ~840 °C, temper 540–680 °C for balanced strength and toughness. | 850 | 1,100 | 11 | 34 HRC | — |
Induction hardened | Best choice for journals, spline flanks and hydraulic rods needing surface wear plus tough core. | 850 | 1,100 | 10 | 58 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
+QT | Thin bars/pins where full martensitic hardening through-section is achieved. | 950 | 1,200 | 10 | 38 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
Q&T to 34–38 HRC | Common pre-hardened supply for shafts, spindles and holder bodies machined to finish size. | 1,000 | 1,150 | 12 | 36 HRC | — |
Q&T to 40–45 HRC | For collets, chucks, wear plates and tool bodies needing hardness with some toughness. | 1,220 | 1,380 | 10 | 43 HRC | — |
Hardened + low temper (180–250 °C), 50–55 HRC | Maximum hardness/wear condition for dies, guides and cams; low toughness, grind-finish only. | 1,500 | 1,800 | 5 | 53 HRC | — |
What is 50CrMo4?
A medium-carbon chromium-molybdenum alloy steel with higher carbon than 42CrMo4, offering greater strength and hardness after quench-and-temper treatment, used in demanding structural and tooling applications. 50CrMo4 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). 50CrMo4 has a yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 50CrMo4 used for?
- high-strength bolts
- springs
- gears
- molds
- structural shafts
Advantages
- High strength — 850 MPa (123 ksi), better than 88% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 11%, worse than 89% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 22/100, worse than 81% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
50CrMo4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 50CrMo4-+QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
50CrMo4 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
50CrMo4 has a yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
50CrMo4 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 11.2 µm/m·K (6.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
50CrMo4 conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 50CrMo4 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
50CrMo4's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 73% of steel grades); weldability poor (22/100); formability poor (20/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 50CrMo4 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 50CrMo4
Is 50CrMo4 easy to machine?
Machine in +A or ≤32 HRC condition with coated carbide (Vc ≈ 120–180 m/min annealed, 60–100 m/min at 34 HRC); above 45 HRC switch to CBN hard turning or grinding.
Can 50CrMo4 be welded?
Poor weldability (CE ≈ 0.9): preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, interpass control and immediate 600–660 °C PWHT; avoid welding in the hardened condition.
Can 50CrMo4 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot form/forge 1100→850 °C with slow cooling in furnace or ash; cold bending or heading is not practical — use annealed stock and small strains only.
50CrMo4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 10083-3 | 0.46 – 0.54 | 0.5 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S≤0.035 standard; ≤0.005 for quality class +S grades | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Cr | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| Mo | 0.15 – 0.3 | 0.22 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 50CrMo4?
Not anodizable; protect with black oxide, manganese phosphate, zinc or hard chrome plating, or gas nitride (Q&T ≥ tempering above 550 °C) — bake at 190–220 °C after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 50CrMo4 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.7228
- Similar grades
- 4150
How much does 50CrMo4 cost?
50CrMo4 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
50CrMo4 — frequently asked
What is 50CrMo4 used for?
50CrMo4 is typically used for high-strength bolts, springs, gears, molds and structural shafts. In short: higher-carbon 42CrMo4 upgrade; through-hardens above 40 HRC; poor weldability by design.
What is the yield strength of 50CrMo4?
50CrMo4 has a typical yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 88% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is 50CrMo4 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 73% of steel grades). Machine in +A or ≤32 HRC condition with coated carbide (Vc ≈ 120–180 m/min annealed, 60–100 m/min at 34 HRC); above 45 HRC switch to CBN hard turning or grinding.
Can 50CrMo4 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (22/100). Poor weldability (CE ≈ 0.9): preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, interpass control and immediate 600–660 °C PWHT; avoid welding in the hardened condition.
What surface finishes work on 50CrMo4?
Not anodizable; protect with black oxide, manganese phosphate, zinc or hard chrome plating, or gas nitride (Q&T ≥ tempering above 550 °C) — bake at 190–220 °C after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement.
Can 50CrMo4 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot form/forge 1100→850 °C with slow cooling in furnace or ash; cold bending or heading is not practical — use annealed stock and small strains only.
What is the maximum service temperature of 50CrMo4?
50CrMo4 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 50CrMo4 +QT and 50CrMo4-IH?
+QT is the default condition — standard stocked condition: oil/polymer quench from ~840 °C, temper 540–680 °C for balanced strength and toughness. IH: best choice for journals, spline flanks and hydraulic rods needing surface wear plus tough core. Yield strength is 850 MPa in +QT versus 850 MPa in IH.
How much does 50CrMo4 cost?
50CrMo4 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- EN 10083-3 Steels for quenching and tempering — Alloy steels — CEN (2006)
- EN 10250-3 Open die steel forgings — Alloy special steels — CEN (1999)
- GB/T 3077 (50CrMo equivalent) — 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)
- Cr-Mo quenched and tempered steel 1.7228 datasheet — European special steel producers (Böhler / Deutsche Edelstahlwerke class data) (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.