Steel P2 QT-CORE
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE P2 · UNS T51602
QT-CORE = quenched and tempered
Direct hardening without carburizing, or the core condition of a case-hardened part; low carbon limits hardness to roughly 20–30 HRC.
Values for the QT-CORE condition
Other P2 tempers and conditions
P2 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at P2.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard stock condition: soft enough for cold hobbing of cavities and easy machining before carburizing. | 330 | 510 | 27 | 110 HB | 40 W/m·K |
Normalized | Used to refine grain and homogenize forged or heavily machined blocks before carburizing; slightly stronger and harder than annealed. | 400 | 600 | 22 | 150 HB | — |
QT-COREThis page Quenched and tempered | Direct hardening without carburizing, or the core condition of a case-hardened part; low carbon limits hardness to roughly 20–30 HRC. | 620 | 830 | 17 | 25 HRC | — |
Carburized and hardened | Working condition for finished mold cavities: carburize 900–925 °C, oil quench from 790–830 °C, temper 175–200 °C for a hard wear surface on a tough core. | 720 | 950 | 13 | 61 HRC | 38 W/m·K |
What is P2 QT-CORE?
P2 QT-CORE is P2 heat treated to QT-CORE — direct hardening without carburizing, or the core condition of a case-hardened part; low carbon limits hardness to roughly 20–30 HRC. P2 QT-CORE has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). P2 QT-CORE 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). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT-CORE is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 86% of steel grades
- High strength — 620 MPa (89.9 ksi), better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
P2 QT-CORE properties
Typical room-temperature values for P2 QT-CORE; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are P2 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
P2 QT-CORE 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).
Mechanical16
P2 QT-CORE has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
P2 QT-CORE is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 40 W/m·K (23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 64% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.4 µm/m·K (6.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
P2 QT-CORE conducts electricity at 8.5 % IACS, better than 63% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of P2 QT-CORE takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
P2 QT-CORE's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability very good (70/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with P2 QT-CORE
Is P2 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed state with sharp, positive-rake tools and generous coolant — the soft low-carbon matrix tends to smear and build up on edges; finish grind after case hardening.
Can P2 be welded?
Repair-weldable with matching low-alloy or Ni-based filler at 200–300 °C preheat, followed by re-annealing or re-carburizing; welding after case hardening risks case cracking.
Can P2 be formed, bent or molded?
Its main advantage is cold hobbing/hubbing of cavity detail in the annealed state, with intermediate anneals between hobbing passes.
What surface finishes work on P2?
Carburized surfaces take a fine mold polish or texture; hard chrome or electroless nickel plating is normal for corrosive resins and rust protection in storage.
P2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cvery low carbon for hobbing and carburizing | ≤ 0.1 | 0.07 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Cr | 0.75 – 1.25 | 1 |
| Ni | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Mo | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Pimpurity limit | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Simpurity limit | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
P2 QT-CORE — frequently asked
What is P2 QT-CORE used for?
P2 QT-CORE is typically used for carburized cavity inserts, small precision mold cores and plastic injection mold components requiring case hardening. In short: carburizing mold steel; cold-hobbable cavity blank; tough core, hard case.
What is the yield strength of P2 QT-CORE?
P2 QT-CORE has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is P2 QT-CORE easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed state with sharp, positive-rake tools and generous coolant — the soft low-carbon matrix tends to smear and build up on edges; finish grind after case hardening.
Can P2 QT-CORE be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Repair-weldable with matching low-alloy or Ni-based filler at 200–300 °C preheat, followed by re-annealing or re-carburizing; welding after case hardening risks case cracking.
What surface finishes work on P2 QT-CORE?
Carburized surfaces take a fine mold polish or texture; hard chrome or electroless nickel plating is normal for corrosive resins and rust protection in storage.
Can P2 QT-CORE be formed, bent or molded?
Its main advantage is cold hobbing/hubbing of cavity detail in the annealed state, with intermediate anneals between hobbing passes.
What is the maximum service temperature of P2 QT-CORE?
P2 QT-CORE 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 P2-ANN and P2-CH?
ANN is the default condition — standard stock condition: soft enough for cold hobbing of cavities and easy machining before carburizing. CH: working condition for finished mold cavities: carburize 900–925 °C, oil quench from 790–830 °C, temper 175–200 °C for a hard wear surface on a tough core. Yield strength is 330 MPa in ANN versus 720 MPa in CH.
Sources
- ASTM A681 — Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy (P-type mold steels) — ASTM International (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4: Heat Treating (Tool Steels, Carburizing) — ASM International (1991)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16: Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Tool Steels, 5th edition — ASM International (Roberts, Krauss, Kennedy) (1998)
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.