Steel En26
En26 is a higher-specification Ni-Cr-Mo through-hardening steel to BS 970, in the 4340 family, supplied annealed, normalized, nitrided and in the T to Z tempered condition bands.
Reference datasheet — En26 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the T condition
En26 tempers and conditions
En26 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. T is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
fully softened for machining/forming | Pick for rough machining of large sections before hardening, or for cold forming. | 450 | 700 | 22 | 205 HB | — |
air cooled from ~870 °C | Use to refine grain and homogenise forgings prior to hardening; not a service condition for this grade. | 620 | 950 | 14 | 29 HRC | 7.3 % IACS |
TDefault Q&T condition T | Most commonly stocked bar condition — best toughness/strength balance for shafts and general engineering. | 730 | 930 | 16 | 28 HRC | — |
Q&T + gas nitrided case | Choose when a wear-resistant, fatigue-strengthening surface is needed on a tough core with negligible distortion. | 790 | 1,000 | 12 | 60 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
Q&T condition V | Common for medium-large gears and heavily loaded shafts. | 850 | 1,075 | 14 | 34 HRC | — |
Solution heat treated (unstable) | High-strength condition for compact, heavily stressed shafts and pins. | 940 | 1,150 | 13 | 36 HRC | — |
Q&T condition X | For high-duty fasteners and aerospace-type parts where toughness can be traded for strength. | 1,030 | 1,225 | 12 | 40 HRC | — |
Q&T condition Y | Very high strength; specify only where impact loading is limited and stress raisers are controlled. | 1,100 | 1,310 | 11 | 42 HRC | — |
Q&T condition Z | Maximum-strength low-temperature-tempered condition for small sections; low toughness and hydrogen-embrittlement sensitive. | 1,350 | 1,620 | 8 | 49 HRC | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways En26 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
U | Q&T condition U | Coating |
What is En26?
En26 is a higher-specification Ni-Cr-Mo through-hardening steel to BS 970, in the 4340 family, supplied annealed, normalized, nitrided and in the T to Z tempered condition bands. It is used where greater hardenability and strength than En25 are needed, typically in large-section shafts, gears and crankshafts. Typical tempered properties are 730 MPa yield, 930 MPa tensile, 16% elongation, 277 HB (28 HRC), service to 400 °C and a machinability rating of 45. Weldability is poor at a carbon equivalent of about 0.9, and the steel has no corrosion resistance; use En25 where the section is smaller and fabrication easier. En26 has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). En26 has a yield strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) and a tensile strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) — stronger than 83% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is En26 used for?
- large shafts
- gears
- crankshafts
- aerospace fasteners
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- High strength — 730 MPa (106 ksi), better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
En26 properties
Typical room-temperature values for En26-T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
En26 has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
En26 has a yield strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) and a tensile strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) — stronger than 83% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
En26 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 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
En26 conducts electricity at 7.2 % IACS, worse than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of En26 takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
En26's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. En26 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with En26
Is En26 easy to machine?
Machine in annealed or condition T/U with rigid setups, sharp carbide and generous coolant; above ~350 HB expect low tool life — consider grinding or finish-machining before final temper.
Can En26 be welded?
Poor weldability (CE ≈ 0.9): preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen electrodes, and immediate post-weld temper below the original tempering temperature; avoid welding in conditions X/Y/Z.
Can En26 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1150–850 °C then slow cool/anneal; cold forming only in the annealed state with generous bend radii.
En26 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 | 0.36 – 0.44 | 0.4 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.45 – 0.7 | 0.6 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Smax; 826M40 free-cutting variants allow 0.15–0.25 S | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Ni | 2.3 – 2.8 | 2.55 |
| Cr | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| Mo | 0.45 – 0.65 | 0.55 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on En26?
Not anodisable — protect with zinc/cadmium plating (bake at 190–200 °C to relieve hydrogen), black oxide, phosphate + oil, or nitride for wear surfaces; polishes to a fine finish when hardened.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel En26 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- 4340
How much does En26 cost?
En26 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
En26 — frequently asked
What is En26 used for?
En26 is typically used for large shafts, gears, crankshafts and aerospace fasteners. In short: highest-hardenability En Ni-Cr-Mo; stronger alternative to En25; poor weldability, CE ≈ 0.9.
What is the yield strength of En26?
En26 has a typical yield strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) and a tensile strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) — stronger than 83% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is En26 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machine in annealed or condition T/U with rigid setups, sharp carbide and generous coolant; above ~350 HB expect low tool life — consider grinding or finish-machining before final temper.
Can En26 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor weldability (CE ≈ 0.9): preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen electrodes, and immediate post-weld temper below the original tempering temperature; avoid welding in conditions X/Y/Z.
What surface finishes work on En26?
Not anodisable — protect with zinc/cadmium plating (bake at 190–200 °C to relieve hydrogen), black oxide, phosphate + oil, or nitride for wear surfaces; polishes to a fine finish when hardened.
Can En26 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1150–850 °C then slow cool/anneal; cold forming only in the annealed state with generous bend radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of En26?
En26 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 En26-T and En26-Z?
T is the default condition — most commonly stocked bar condition — best toughness/strength balance for shafts and general engineering. Z: maximum-strength low-temperature-tempered condition for small sections; low toughness and hydrogen-embrittlement sensitive. Yield strength is 730 MPa in T versus 1,350 MPa in Z.
How much does En26 cost?
En26 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- BS 970-1: Wrought steels — 826M40 (En26) — BSI (1991)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- MMPDS — 4340 low-alloy steel design allowables — Battelle/FAA (2022)
- GB/T 3077 — 40CrNiMoA (2015)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.