Steel 94B15 NORM
Heat-treated state
EN 94B15 · UNS G94151
NORM = normalized
Use to refine forging/rolling structure and give uniform response to later carburizing.
Values for the NORM condition
Other 94B15 tempers and conditions
94B15 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 94B15.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Choose when parts (pins, bolts, gear blanks) are cold formed before carburizing. | 300 | 470 | 30 | 131 HB | 8 % IACS |
ANNDefault Annealed | Default supply condition for machining of blanks before carburizing. | 330 | 510 | 26 | 143 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Lowest-cost mill bar condition for parts that will be fully heat treated later. | 360 | 545 | 24 | 156 HB | 8 % IACS |
NORMThis page Normalized | Use to refine forging/rolling structure and give uniform response to later carburizing. | 400 | 590 | 24 | 174 HB | 8 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick for close-tolerance, straight bright bar with higher as-supplied strength. | 545 | 640 | 15 | 11 HRC | 8 % IACS |
quenched and tempered ~500 °C | Tough medium-hardness core condition for shafts and machined components. | 790 | 950 | 17 | 30 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Carburized, quenched and tempered | The intended service condition: hard wear-resistant case over a strong boron-hardened core for gears and pins. | 830 | 1,100 | 12 | 60 HRC | — |
Q&T | Direct-hardened condition for small boron-steel parts needing maximum core strength without carburizing. | 970 | 1,240 | 13 | 42 HRC | — |
What is 94B15 NORM?
94B15 NORM is 94B15 heat treated to NORM — use to refine forging/rolling structure and give uniform response to later carburizing. 94B15 NORM has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 94B15 NORM has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; NORM is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
94B15 NORM properties
Typical room-temperature values for 94B15 NORM; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 94B15 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
94B15 NORM has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical14
94B15 NORM has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
94B15 NORM is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 43 W/m·K (24.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 51% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.2 µm/m·K (6.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
94B15 NORM conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 94B15 NORM 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
94B15 NORM's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability good (57/100); formability good (58/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 94B15 NORM
Is 94B15 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed or normalized state (≈60–70 % of 1212) with sharp carbide tooling and generous coolant; leave grinding stock for post-carburizing distortion.
Can 94B15 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables, 150–250 °C preheat and post-weld temper; avoid welding after carburizing and expect hard HAZ from the boron hardenability.
Can 94B15 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold heading and upsetting are practical in the spheroidize-annealed condition; hot forge 1050–1200 °C but keep austenitizing below ~1050 °C to preserve boron hardenability.
What surface finishes work on 94B15?
No inherent corrosion resistance — protect by oiling, phosphating, black oxide, zinc or nitrocarburizing; carburized surfaces are usually ground and shot peened for fatigue.
94B15 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 | 0.13 – 0.18 | 0.16 |
| Mn | 0.75 – 1 | 0.88 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Ni | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Cr | 0.3 – 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Mo | 0.08 – 0.15 | 0.12 |
| Bboron-treated (B-suffix grade); effective boron requires N-fixing with Ti/Al | 5×10⁻⁴ – 0 | 0 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
94B15 NORM — frequently asked
What is 94B15 NORM used for?
94B15 NORM is typically used for carburized gears, pins and case-hardened components. In short: low-cost carburizing steel; boron-boosted hardenability; deep case, tough core.
What is the yield strength of 94B15 NORM?
94B15 NORM has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 94B15 NORM easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed or normalized state (≈60–70 % of 1212) with sharp carbide tooling and generous coolant; leave grinding stock for post-carburizing distortion.
Can 94B15 NORM be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (57/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables, 150–250 °C preheat and post-weld temper; avoid welding after carburizing and expect hard HAZ from the boron hardenability.
What surface finishes work on 94B15 NORM?
No inherent corrosion resistance — protect by oiling, phosphating, black oxide, zinc or nitrocarburizing; carburized surfaces are usually ground and shot peened for fatigue.
Can 94B15 NORM be formed, bent or molded?
Cold heading and upsetting are practical in the spheroidize-annealed condition; hot forge 1050–1200 °C but keep austenitizing below ~1050 °C to preserve boron hardenability.
What is the maximum service temperature of 94B15 NORM?
94B15 NORM 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 94B15-ANN and 94B15 QT-200?
ANN is the default condition — default supply condition for machining of blanks before carburizing. QT-200: direct-hardened condition for small boron-steel parts needing maximum core strength without carburizing. Yield strength is 330 MPa in ANN versus 970 MPa in QT-200.
Sources
- SAE J404 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Alloy Steels — SAE International (2021)
- SAE J1268 — Hardenability Bands for Boron H-Steels — SAE International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (carburizing and boron steels) — ASM International (1991)
- Machinery's Handbook (machinability ratings) — 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.