Steel 5130 · supply condition · default condition
Steel 5130-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other 5130 tempers.
Cheapest stock form for parts that will be machined then heat treated; scaled surface and loose tolerances.
What is 5130-HR?
5130-HR is 5130 supplied in the HR condition — cheapest stock form for parts that will be machined then heat treated; scaled surface and loose tolerances. 5130-HR has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 635 MPa (92.1 ksi) — weaker than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 5130-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).
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
5130-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5130-HR — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5130 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5130-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).
Mechanical13
5130-HR has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 635 MPa (92.1 ksi) — weaker than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
5130-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 12.2 µm/m·K (6.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5130-HR 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 5130-HR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
5130-HR's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (50/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 5130 tempers and conditions
5130 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5130 overview.
- HRDefaultCheapest stock form for parts that will be machined then heat treated; scaled surface and loose tolerances.415 MPa yield · 187 HB
- Q&T 38-42 HRCFor high-strength pins, gear racks and wear surfaces in small sections; reduced toughness, machine before hardening.1,150 MPa yield · 40 HRC
- Q&TStandard service condition for shafts, bolts and steering/linkage parts needing high strength with useful toughness.900 MPa yield · 33 HRC
- Q&T 28-32 HRCChoose when impact toughness and machinability matter more than peak strength (large shafts, forged levers).820 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- CDBright, size-accurate bar with raised yield strength; best when parts are used without further heat treatment or only stress-relieved.580 MPa yield · 200 HB
- NormalizedUniform fine-grained structure with better toughness than as-rolled; typical pre-machining condition for forgings.436 MPa yield · 197 HB
- AnnealedSoftest and most machinable/formable condition; used as supply state before final quench and temper.380 MPa yield · 170 HB
Working with 5130-HR
Is 5130 easy to machine?
Machines best at 170–200 HB (annealed/normalized) with carbide tooling at ~120–180 m/min; above 35 HRC use rigid setups, coated carbide or grinding.
Can 5130 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen/matching filler but preheat 200–300 °C, control interpass and post-weld temper (~600 °C) to avoid martensite cracking in the HAZ.
Can 5130 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form only in annealed/spheroidized state with generous radii; hot forge 1150–850 °C then normalize; oil quench from 855–870 °C, temper 200–650 °C to the target hardness.
What surface finishes work on 5130?
No corrosion resistance — finish with black oxide, phosphate+oil, zinc or hard chrome plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement above 1000 MPa), or paint; polishes and grinds well when hardened.
5130 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 | 0.28 – 0.33 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Cr | 0.8 – 1.1 | 0.95 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Smax (0.015–0.035 for resulfurized 5130 variants) | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
5130-HR — frequently asked
What is 5130-HR used for?
5130-HR is typically used for shafts, gears and bolts. In short: chromium spring-steel bar.
What is the yield strength of 5130-HR?
5130-HR has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 635 MPa (92.1 ksi) — weaker than 55% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 5130-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines best at 170–200 HB (annealed/normalized) with carbide tooling at ~120–180 m/min; above 35 HRC use rigid setups, coated carbide or grinding.
Can 5130-HR be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen/matching filler but preheat 200–300 °C, control interpass and post-weld temper (~600 °C) to avoid martensite cracking in the HAZ.
What surface finishes work on 5130-HR?
No corrosion resistance — finish with black oxide, phosphate+oil, zinc or hard chrome plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement above 1000 MPa), or paint; polishes and grinds well when hardened.
Can 5130-HR be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form only in annealed/spheroidized state with generous radii; hot forge 1150–850 °C then normalize; oil quench from 855–870 °C, temper 200–650 °C to the target hardness.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5130-HR?
5130-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 5130-HR and 5130-CD?
HR is the default condition — cheapest stock form for parts that will be machined then heat treated; scaled surface and loose tolerances. CD: bright, size-accurate bar with raised yield strength; best when parts are used without further heat treatment or only stress-relieved. Yield strength is 415 MPa in HR versus 580 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5130-HR?
Yes — 5130-HR is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- SAE J404 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Alloy Steels — SAE International (2021)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- GB/T 3077 (30Cr) — SAC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating — ASM International (1991)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- 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.