Steel EN36
BS EN36
EN36 is a high-nickel chromium case-hardening alloy steel from the British/proprietary family, closely comparable to AISI 3310.
Values for the HR condition
EN36 tempers and conditions
EN36 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
full/sub-critical anneal, softest machining condition | Pick for maximum machinability and stress relief before carburizing or heavy cutting. | 400 | 610 | 22 | 180 HB | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Standard stock condition for carburizing-grade bar; machined then case hardened. | 450 | 700 | 18 | 200 HB | 6.5 % IACS |
air cooled from ~870–900 °C | Refines forging grain structure and gives uniform response to subsequent carburizing. | 480 | 720 | 18 | 210 HB | 6.5 % IACS |
Cold rolled | Cold-rolled strip for stamped case-hardened parts needing tight thickness and good surface. | 560 | 760 | 12 | 225 HB | 6.5 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Cold-drawn bright bar for close-tolerance shafts and pins machined before carburizing. | 620 | 810 | 11 | 20 HRC | 6.5 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Use where the part runs uncarburized and needs a tough, high-strength through-hardened core. | 740 | 930 | 15 | 30 HRC | — |
case hardened, quenched and low-temperature tempered (case 58–62 HRC) | The intended service condition: hard wear-resistant case on a tough Ni-Cr core for gears and pinions. | 800 | 1,000 | 13 | 60 HRC | — |
What is EN36?
EN36 is a high-nickel chromium case-hardening alloy steel from the British/proprietary family, closely comparable to AISI 3310. It is carburized to produce a deep, hard case over a tough, high-hardenability core, which is why it is specified for heavily loaded gears, drive shafts and pins; it is available as HR, CR, CD, annealed, normalized, Q&T and carburized bar. Core values are 450 MPa yield, 700 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and 200 HB, with machinability 45. Weldability is poor and the nickel content raises cost and lead time; 8620 is the cheaper carburizing alternative when case depth allows. EN36 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). EN36 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is EN36 used for?
- Gears
- Industrial drive shafts
- Pins
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 6.5 % IACS, worse than 77% of steel grades
EN36 properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN36-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
EN36 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).
Mechanical16
EN36 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
EN36 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 36 W/m·K (20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 73% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN36 conducts electricity at 6.5 % IACS, worse than 77% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (14/100), better than 70% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN36 takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
EN36's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. EN36 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with EN36
Is EN36 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed or normalized state with sharp carbide tooling and rigid setups; rough before carburizing and finish-grind afterwards since the 60 HRC case is grinding-only.
Can EN36 be welded?
Poor weldability — high hardenability means preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and immediate post-weld tempering; avoid welding carburized zones entirely.
Can EN36 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1150–850 °C followed by slow cooling and normalizing; cold forming is limited to light bending in the annealed condition.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to EN36. Every EN36 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better45 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better45 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better30 / 100 |
EN36 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CEN36A / 655M13 | 0.12 – 0.18 | 0.15 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.35 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Ni | 3 – 3.75 | 3.4 |
| Cr | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Moresidual only in EN36A; EN36C/832M13 variants add ~0.15–0.25 Mo | ≤ 0.15 | |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on EN36?
No anodizing; protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc or hard-chrome plating, and bake after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement of the hardened case.
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).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel EN36 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- BS
- 970 655M13
- Similar grades
- 3310
How much does EN36 cost?
EN36 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
EN36 — frequently asked
What is EN36 used for?
EN36 is typically used for gears, industrial drive shafts and pins. In short: carburizing Ni-Cr bar.
What is the yield strength of EN36?
EN36 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is EN36 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed or normalized state with sharp carbide tooling and rigid setups; rough before carburizing and finish-grind afterwards since the 60 HRC case is grinding-only.
Can EN36 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Poor weldability — high hardenability means preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and immediate post-weld tempering; avoid welding carburized zones entirely.
What surface finishes work on EN36?
No anodizing; protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc or hard-chrome plating, and bake after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement of the hardened case.
Can EN36 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1150–850 °C followed by slow cooling and normalizing; cold forming is limited to light bending in the annealed condition.
What is the maximum service temperature of EN36?
EN36 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between EN36-HR and EN36-CD?
HR is the default condition — standard stock condition for carburizing-grade bar; machined then case hardened. CD: cold-drawn bright bar for close-tolerance shafts and pins machined before carburizing. Yield strength is 450 MPa in HR versus 620 MPa in CD.
How much does EN36 cost?
EN36 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in EN36?
Yes — EN36 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
- BS 970-3: Wrought steels for mechanical and allied engineering purposes (655M13 / EN36) — BSI (1991)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4: Heat Treating (carburizing of Ni-Cr steels) — ASM International (1991)
- Nickel-chromium case hardening steel bar datasheets (EN36A/655M13) — European & Indian alloy bar mills (2022)
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.