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Steel SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC

Hardness band

JIS SCM432 · AISI/SAE 4137

Toughness-biased condition for large shafts and parts that still need post-HT machining.

Budget cost $

Values for the QT 28-32 HRC condition

Other SCM432 tempers and conditions

SCM432 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at SCM432.

Compare all 9 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
full/spheroidize annealed bar
Softest condition for deep machining, cold forming or before final heat treatment.40062024187 HB—
Hot rolled
Cheapest mill condition, bought as feedstock for forging and subsequent heat treatment.4307002014 HRC8.2 % IACS
Normalized
Uniform fine-grain structure for forgings before machining or as a moderate-strength delivery condition.4707402017 HRC8.2 % IACS
Cold drawn
Close-tolerance bright bar for shafts machined without further heat treatment.6507801220 HRC8 % IACS
QT 28-32 HRCThis page
high-temper condition
Toughness-biased condition for large shafts and parts that still need post-HT machining.8209601830 HRC—
QTDefault
Quenched and tempered
Standard supply condition meeting JIS 930 MPa UTS / 785 MPa YS for shafts, bolts and gear blanks.8501,0001731 HRC—
Q&T + gas/plasma nitrided case
Q&T core with 0.2–0.4 mm nitrided case for wear and fatigue on shafts and spindles.8501,0001555 HRC7.8 % IACS
medium-temper condition
Higher strength for loaded bolts, couplings and gear blanks with acceptable toughness.1,0201,1501435 HRC—
low-temper (high strength) condition
Maximum practical through-hardness for small sections needing wear and high yield strength.1,2501,4001142 HRC—

What is SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC?

SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC is SCM432 heat treated to QT 28-32 HRC — toughness-biased condition for large shafts and parts that still need post-HT machining. SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC has a yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 960 MPa (139 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi). SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC 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). QT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT 28-32 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 820 MPa (119 ksi), better than 87% of steel grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades

SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC properties

Typical room-temperature values for SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are SCM432 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,420°C2,588 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,495°C2,723 °F

Mechanical16

SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC has a yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 960 MPa (139 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus207 GPa30 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)960 MPa139 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)820 MPa119 ksi
Elongation at Break18%
Reduction in Area58%
Compressive Strength860 MPa125 ksi
Shear Strength600 MPa87 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)450 MPa65.3 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)85 MPa·√m77.4 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)68 J50.2 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell285 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C30 HRC
Hardness, Vickers308 HV

Thermal6

SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity473 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)400°C752 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity7.8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.62 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts in moist air and water; attacked by acids and chlorides. Stable in dry oils, greases and non-polar solvents; requires oiling, phosphating, zinc/Cr plating or paint for service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC takes about 28 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.1 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC's machinability is good (57/100, better than 71% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (40/100).

MachinabilityGood57/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)57%
WeldabilityFair45/100
Formability (cold)Fair40/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood55/100
PolishabilityGood65/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use zinc/manganese phosphate, black oxide, Zn-Ni or hard chrome plating instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC

Is SCM432 easy to machine?

Machine in the annealed/normalized state or at ≤32 HRC; use coated carbide, rigid setups and generous coolant — chips are stringy at low hardness.

Can SCM432 be welded?

Preheat 200–300 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables, control interpass heat and post-weld temper/stress-relieve at 600–650 °C to avoid HAZ cracking.

Can SCM432 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1100–1200 °C then normalize; cold bending or heading only in the spheroidize-annealed condition with generous bend radii.

What surface finishes work on SCM432?

No anodizing — protect with zinc/manganese phosphate, black oxide, Zn-Ni or hard chrome; nitriding or induction hardening adds surface wear resistance.

SCM432 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CJIS G4053 SCM4320.27 – 0.370.33
Si0.15 – 0.350.25
Mn0.3 – 0.60.45
P≤ 0.03—
S≤ 0.03—
Cr1 – 1.51.2
Mo0.15 – 0.30.22
Niresidual, max≤ 0.25—
Curesidual, max≤ 0.3—
Febalance—

SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC — frequently asked

What is SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC used for?

SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC is typically used for shafts, high-strength bolts and structural forgings. In short: between SCM430 and SCM435; balanced strength and toughness; nitridable Cr-Mo shaft steel.

What is the yield strength of SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC?

SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC has a typical yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 960 MPa (139 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.

Is SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (57/100, better than 71% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed/normalized state or at ≤32 HRC; use coated carbide, rigid setups and generous coolant — chips are stringy at low hardness.

Can SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Preheat 200–300 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables, control interpass heat and post-weld temper/stress-relieve at 600–650 °C to avoid HAZ cracking.

What surface finishes work on SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC?

No anodizing — protect with zinc/manganese phosphate, black oxide, Zn-Ni or hard chrome; nitriding or induction hardening adds surface wear resistance.

Can SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1100–1200 °C then normalize; cold bending or heading only in the spheroidize-annealed condition with generous bend radii.

What is the maximum service temperature of SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC?

SCM432 QT 28-32 HRC 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 SCM432-QT and SCM432-HR?

QT is the default condition — standard supply condition meeting JIS 930 MPa UTS / 785 MPa YS for shafts, bolts and gear blanks. HR: cheapest mill condition, bought as feedstock for forging and subsequent heat treatment. Yield strength is 850 MPa in QT versus 430 MPa in HR.

Sources

  1. JIS G 4053 Low-alloyed steels for machine structural use — JSA (2016)
  2. GB/T 3077 (equivalent Cr-Mo grades) — SAC (2015)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating — ASM International (1991)
  5. Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. — 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.