Steel 8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC
Hardness band
AISI/SAE 8617 · UNS G86170
Q&T 28-32 HRC = through-hardened
Direct oil quench and high temper when a tough uniform core is wanted without a case (shafts, arbors, fixtures).
Values for the Q&T 28-32 HRC condition
Other 8617 tempers and conditions
8617 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 8617.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
for cold heading / cold extrusion | Pick when parts are cold-formed (headed, extruded) before carburizing; lowest hardness and best cold ductility. | 330 | 480 | 34 | 137 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
as-rolled bar | Cheapest mill condition for large forging/gear blanks that will be normalized or annealed before machining. | 340 | 560 | 27 | 163 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault full anneal, soft machinable bar | Standard stock condition for gear blanks: softest, most machinable, ready for carburizing after rough machining. | 360 | 515 | 31 | 149 HB | — |
900–925 °C air cool | Use to homogenize forgings and refine grain before carburizing; best combination of core strength and machinability. | 375 | 610 | 27 | 179 HB | — |
annealed and cold finished bar | Choose for small shafts and pins needing tight tolerance and good surface straight from bar, with higher as-supplied strength. | 500 | 600 | 18 | 179 HB | — |
Q&T 28-32 HRCThis page Through-hardened | Direct oil quench and high temper when a tough uniform core is wanted without a case (shafts, arbors, fixtures). | 750 | 950 | 18 | 30 HRC | — |
thin hard case on small parts | Lower-temperature alternative to carburizing for small pins, washers and light gears where distortion must be minimized. | 780 | 1,000 | 13 | 59 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
case 58–62 HRC / core ~30–40 HRC | The service condition for gears and pins: hard wear/pitting-resistant case with high compressive residual stress over a tough core. | 850 | 1,100 | 12 | 60 HRC | — |
What is 8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC?
8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC is 8617 heat treated to Q&T 28-32 HRC — direct oil quench and high temper when a tough uniform core is wanted without a case (shafts, arbors, fixtures). 8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC has a yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 84% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 8617 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). Annealed 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 — 750 MPa (109 ksi), better than 84% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 81% of steel grades
8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC; 15 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 8617 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
8617 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
8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC has a yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 84% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC 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 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 8617 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%.
Manufacturability8
8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability good (65/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC
Is 8617 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed or normalized state (≈65 % of 1212) with carbide at ~120–170 m/min; leave 0.2–0.5 mm grind stock for post-carburizing distortion.
Can 8617 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables at 150–250 °C preheat and post-weld stress relief; do not weld after carburizing.
Can 8617 be formed, bent or molded?
Good hot forgeability at 1100–1200 °C and acceptable cold heading when spheroidize annealed; normalize forgings before case hardening.
What surface finishes work on 8617?
Gas carburize 900–930 °C, oil quench, temper 150–200 °C, then grind; protect uncarburized surfaces with copper plate or stop-off paint and finish with black oxide, phosphate or zinc plating.
8617 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CSAE J404 heat analysis | 0.15 – 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Ni | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| Cr | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Mo | 0.15 – 0.25 | 0.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Smax; 8617H/resulfurized variants differ | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC — frequently asked
What is 8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC used for?
8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC is typically used for gears, shafts, bushings and camshafts. In short: deeper case than 8615; medium-duty gear steel; tough Ni-Cr-Mo core.
What is the yield strength of 8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC?
8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC has a typical yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 84% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed or normalized state (≈65 % of 1212) with carbide at ~120–170 m/min; leave 0.2–0.5 mm grind stock for post-carburizing distortion.
Can 8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables at 150–250 °C preheat and post-weld stress relief; do not weld after carburizing.
What surface finishes work on 8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC?
Gas carburize 900–930 °C, oil quench, temper 150–200 °C, then grind; protect uncarburized surfaces with copper plate or stop-off paint and finish with black oxide, phosphate or zinc plating.
Can 8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Good hot forgeability at 1100–1200 °C and acceptable cold heading when spheroidize annealed; normalize forgings before case hardening.
What is the maximum service temperature of 8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC?
8617 Q&T 28-32 HRC 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.
Sources
- SAE J404 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Alloy Steels — SAE International (2021)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A322 — Steel Bars, Alloy, Standard Grades — ASTM (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (Carburizing) — ASM International (1991)
- SAE J1268 — Hardenability Bands for Carbon and Alloy H Steels (8617H) — SAE International (2019)
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.