Steel EN36 · supply condition · default condition
Steel EN36-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other EN36 tempers.
Standard stock condition for carburizing-grade bar; machined then case hardened.
What is EN36-HR?
EN36-HR is EN36 supplied in the HR condition — standard stock condition for carburizing-grade bar; machined then case hardened. EN36-HR has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi). EN36-HR 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).
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 6.5 % IACS, worse than 78% of steel grades
EN36-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN36-HR — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every EN36 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
EN36-HR 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-HR has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
EN36-HR 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 72% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN36-HR conducts electricity at 6.5 % IACS, worse than 78% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (14/100), better than 70% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN36-HR 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-HR'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.
Other EN36 tempers and conditions
EN36 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the EN36 overview.
- HRDefaultStandard stock condition for carburizing-grade bar; machined then case hardened.450 MPa yield · 200 HB
- CarburizedThe intended service condition: hard wear-resistant case on a tough Ni-Cr core for gears and pinions.800 MPa yield · 60 HRC
- Q&TUse where the part runs uncarburized and needs a tough, high-strength through-hardened core.740 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- CDCold-drawn bright bar for close-tolerance shafts and pins machined before carburizing.620 MPa yield · 235 HB
- NormalizedRefines forging grain structure and gives uniform response to subsequent carburizing.480 MPa yield · 210 HB
- AnnealedPick for maximum machinability and stress relief before carburizing or heavy cutting.400 MPa yield · 180 HB
Working with EN36-HR
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.
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.
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 | — |
EN36-HR — frequently asked
What is EN36-HR used for?
EN36-HR is typically used for gears, industrial drive shafts and pins. In short: carburizing Ni-Cr bar.
What is the yield strength of EN36-HR?
EN36-HR has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 53% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is EN36-HR 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-HR 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-HR?
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-HR 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-HR?
EN36-HR 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in EN36-HR?
Yes — EN36-HR is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.