Steel 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC
Hardness band
AISI/SAE 5130 · UNS G51300
Q&T 28-32 HRC = tempered high for toughness
Choose when impact toughness and machinability matter more than peak strength (large shafts, forged levers).
Values for the Q&T 28-32 HRC condition
Other 5130 tempers and conditions
5130 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 5130.
- Spheroidized
- Annealed
- HR
- Normalized
- CR
- CD
- Q&T 28-32 HRC
- Q&T
- Q&T 38-42 HRC
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
soft globular carbide structure | Supply condition for cold heading/upsetting of fasteners and deep cold forming of 5130 wire and bar. | 340 | 540 | 30 | 160 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
full/subcritical anneal, ~830 °C slow cool | Softest and most machinable/formable condition; used as supply state before final quench and temper. | 380 | 590 | 26 | 170 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Cheapest stock form for parts that will be machined then heat treated; scaled surface and loose tolerances. | 415 | 635 | 22 | 187 HB | 8 % IACS |
870 °C, air cooled | Uniform fine-grained structure with better toughness than as-rolled; typical pre-machining condition for forgings. | 436 | 670 | 20.8 | 197 HB | 8 % IACS |
Cold rolled | Strip/sheet form with good surface and thickness tolerance for blanked or formed parts that are later hardened. | 570 | 690 | 13 | 207 HB | 8 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Bright, size-accurate bar with raised yield strength; best when parts are used without further heat treatment or only stress-relieved. | 580 | 680 | 12 | 200 HB | 45 W/m·K |
Q&T 28-32 HRCThis page Tempered high for toughness | Choose when impact toughness and machinability matter more than peak strength (large shafts, forged levers). | 820 | 950 | 18 | 30 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Standard service condition for shafts, bolts and steering/linkage parts needing high strength with useful toughness. | 900 | 1,030 | 16 | 33 HRC | — |
Tempered low for strength/wear | For high-strength pins, gear racks and wear surfaces in small sections; reduced toughness, machine before hardening. | 1,150 | 1,280 | 12 | 40 HRC | — |
What is 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC?
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC is 5130 heat treated to Q&T 28-32 HRC — choose when impact toughness and machinability matter more than peak strength (large shafts, forged levers). 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC has a yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T 28-32 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- 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 — 22/100, worse than 76% of steel grades
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 5130 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC 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
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC has a yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °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).
Electrical3
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC conducts electricity at 7.5 % IACS, worse than 67% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC 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 Q&T 28-32 HRC's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability poor (32/100); formability poor (22/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC
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 Q&T 28-32 HRC — frequently asked
What is 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC used for?
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC is typically used for shafts, gears and bolts. In short: chromium spring-steel bar.
What is the yield strength of 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC?
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC has a typical yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% 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 Q&T 28-32 HRC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (32/100). 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 Q&T 28-32 HRC?
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 Q&T 28-32 HRC 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 Q&T 28-32 HRC?
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °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 Q&T 28-32 HRC?
Yes — 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. 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.