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Steel 86B45 QT28-32

Hardness band

EN 86B45 · UNS G86451

QT28-32 = q&T 28–32 HRC

Tough general-purpose condition for shafts, couplings and machined parts needing good impact resistance.

Budget cost $

Values for the QT28-32 condition

Other 86B45 tempers and conditions

86B45 is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at 86B45.

Compare all 10 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Spheroidize Annealed
Use for cold-headed fasteners and cold-extruded blanks where maximum ductility of the carbide structure is needed.390620269 HRC8.3 % IACS
Solution annealed
Pick for maximum machinability and softness before quench-and-temper or cold forming.41565522190 HB44 W/m·K
Hot rolled
Cheapest mill condition for stock bar that will be machined then heat treated by the user.47076018217 HB—
Normalized
Grain refinement and uniform structure ahead of machining or hardening; moderate strength forgings.5508301723 HRC—
Cold drawn
Choose for tight-tolerance, good-surface bar used as-supplied for shafts and screw-machine parts.68079012235 HB—
QT28-32This page
Q&T 28–32 HRC
Tough general-purpose condition for shafts, couplings and machined parts needing good impact resistance.8409651830 HRC—
QT32-36Default
Q&T 32–36 HRC
Standard stocked strength/toughness balance for gear blanks, drive shafts and high-strength fasteners.9501,0801634 HRC—
Induction hardened
Choose for journal, spline and gear-tooth wear surfaces needing a hard case with a tough tempered core.9501,0801457 HRC7.3 % IACS
Q&T 38–42 HRC
Higher-strength condition for heavily loaded shafts, pins and links where some toughness can be traded for strength.1,1801,3101340 HRC—
Q&T 44–48 HRC
Maximum through-hardened strength/wear condition; use only where notch sensitivity and hydrogen embrittlement are controlled.1,4001,5501046 HRC—

What is 86B45 QT28-32?

86B45 QT28-32 is 86B45 heat treated to QT28-32 — tough general-purpose condition for shafts, couplings and machined parts needing good impact resistance. 86B45 QT28-32 has a yield strength of 840 MPa (122 ksi) and a tensile strength of 965 MPa (140 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 86B45 QT28-32 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). QT32-36 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT28-32 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 840 MPa (122 ksi), better than 87% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited formability — 22/100, worse than 76% of steel grades

86B45 QT28-32 properties

Typical room-temperature values for 86B45 QT28-32; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 86B45 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

86B45 QT28-32 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,420°C2,588 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,490°C2,714 °F

Mechanical16

86B45 QT28-32 has a yield strength of 840 MPa (122 ksi) and a tensile strength of 965 MPa (140 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)965 MPa140 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)840 MPa122 ksi
Elongation at Break18%
Reduction in Area55%
Compressive Strength960 MPa139 ksi
Shear Strength580 MPa84.1 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)440 MPa63.8 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)95 MPa·√m86.5 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)60 J44.3 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell293 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C30 HRC
Hardness, Vickers302 HV

Thermal6

86B45 QT28-32 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 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity475 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion260 J/g112 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)425°C797 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

86B45 QT28-32 conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity7.8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.61 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended11/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in moist air and neutral water; attacked by acids and chlorides. Requires oil, phosphate, zinc plating, or paint. Susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement above ~40 HRC — bake after plating.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 86B45 QT28-32 takes about 28 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

86B45 QT28-32's machinability is fair (46/100, worse than 59% of steel grades); weldability poor (28/100); formability poor (22/100).

MachinabilityFair46/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)50%
WeldabilityPoor28/100
Formability (cold)Poor22/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair50/100
PolishabilityGood62/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use zinc/manganese phosphate, black oxide, zinc or Cr plating instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 86B45 QT28-32

Is 86B45 easy to machine?

Machine in the annealed/normalized state (~190–240 HB) with coated carbide; above 34 HRC use rigid setups, negative-rake carbide or CBN and reduced feeds.

Can 86B45 be welded?

Poor weldability (CE ≈ 0.8–0.9): preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, and temper immediately after welding to avoid HAZ cracking.

Can 86B45 be formed, bent or molded?

Cold head or form only in the spheroidize-annealed condition; hot forge at 1050–1200 °C and normalize afterwards to restore grain size.

What surface finishes work on 86B45?

No anodizing — protect with zinc/manganese phosphate, black oxide, zinc or Cr plating; bake 190–220 °C for 4 h after plating when above 40 HRC.

86B45 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CSAE 86B45 heat analysis0.43 – 0.480.46
Mn0.75 – 10.88
Si0.15 – 0.350.25
Ni0.4 – 0.70.55
Cr0.4 – 0.60.5
Mo0.15 – 0.250.2
Bboron addition for hardenability; requires Ti/Al nitrogen fixation5×10⁻⁴ – 00
P≤ 0.04—
S≤ 0.04—
Febalance—

86B45 QT28-32 — frequently asked

What is 86B45 QT28-32 used for?

86B45 QT28-32 is typically used for gears, shafts and high-strength bolts. In short: alloy-grade hardenability, less nickel; high-strength shaft and gear steel; poor weldability, coat for corrosion.

What is the yield strength of 86B45 QT28-32?

86B45 QT28-32 has a typical yield strength of 840 MPa (122 ksi) and a tensile strength of 965 MPa (140 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.

Is 86B45 QT28-32 easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (46/100, worse than 59% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed/normalized state (~190–240 HB) with coated carbide; above 34 HRC use rigid setups, negative-rake carbide or CBN and reduced feeds.

Can 86B45 QT28-32 be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (28/100). Poor weldability (CE ≈ 0.8–0.9): preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, and temper immediately after welding to avoid HAZ cracking.

What surface finishes work on 86B45 QT28-32?

No anodizing — protect with zinc/manganese phosphate, black oxide, zinc or Cr plating; bake 190–220 °C for 4 h after plating when above 40 HRC.

Can 86B45 QT28-32 be formed, bent or molded?

Cold head or form only in the spheroidize-annealed condition; hot forge at 1050–1200 °C and normalize afterwards to restore grain size.

What is the maximum service temperature of 86B45 QT28-32?

86B45 QT28-32 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 86B45 QT32-36 and 86B45-SA?

QT32-36 is the default condition — standard stocked strength/toughness balance for gear blanks, drive shafts and high-strength fasteners. SA: use for cold-headed fasteners and cold-extruded blanks where maximum ductility of the carbide structure is needed. Yield strength is 950 MPa in QT32-36 versus 390 MPa in SA.

Sources

  1. SAE J404 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Alloy Steels — SAE International (2021)
  2. SAE J1268 — Hardenability Bands for Carbon and Alloy H Steels (86B45H) — SAE International (2019)
  3. ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM International (2020)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.4A — Steel Heat Treating Fundamentals and Processes — ASM International (2013)
  6. Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. — Industrial Press (2020)

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.