Steel SNC836
JIS SNC836
SNC836 is a high nickel-chromium alloy steel in the JIS G 4102 series, carrying enough carbon to reach high core strength directly by quenching and tempering as well as being run through case-hardening or nitriding routes.
Reference datasheet — SNC836 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 QT condition
SNC836 tempers and conditions
SNC836 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. QT is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Softest condition, chosen for heavy machining, deep hole drilling or cold straightening before final hardening. | 460 | 720 | 22 | 210 HB | — |
Normalized | Grain refining / stress-relief condition for forgings before final Q&T, or for moderately loaded parts. | 580 | 880 | 18 | 26 HRC | 6 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Mill supply condition for stock that will be re-heat-treated; already fairly hard because the steel air-hardens. | 600 | 950 | 15 | 28 HRC | 6 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Bright bar for close-tolerance shafts and studs used without further heat treatment. | 760 | 900 | 11 | 26 HRC | 6 % IACS |
QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard JIS delivery condition for gears, shafts and heavy bolts — 930 MPa minimum tensile with good toughness through large sections. | 850 | 990 | 18 | 31 HRC | — |
Carburized and hardened | Pick when the tooth flank or journal must resist wear and contact fatigue while the high-Ni core stays tough at ~1000 MPa. | 850 | 1,050 | 12 | 60 HRC | 6 % IACS |
Nitrided | Low-distortion surface hardening for finish-machined gears and shafts that must keep tight Q&T core geometry. | 850 | 990 | 16 | 57 HRC | 6 % IACS |
Q&T 302–352 HB | Higher-strength Q&T level (≈1100 MPa) for heavily loaded shafts and gear blanks where some toughness can be traded for strength. | 980 | 1,130 | 14 | 35 HRC | — |
What is SNC836?
SNC836 is a high nickel-chromium alloy steel in the JIS G 4102 series, carrying enough carbon to reach high core strength directly by quenching and tempering as well as being run through case-hardening or nitriding routes. Engineers use it for large, heavily loaded gears and shafts where core strength governs; it is supplied hot-rolled, annealed, normalized, cold-drawn, Q&T, high-hardness Q&T, carburized or nitrided. Default values are 850 MPa yield, 990 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation, 295 HB (31 HRC), a maximum service temperature of 400 °C and a machinability score of 42. Carbon equivalent near 0.9 makes welding difficult and the steel has no corrosion resistance of its own. SNC836 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). SNC836 has a yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) and a tensile strength of 990 MPa (144 ksi) — stronger than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is SNC836 used for?
- Large industrial gears
- Heavy drive and pinion shafts
- Gearbox output shafts
- Crankshafts and connecting rods
- Nitrided wear shafts and sleeves
- High-load couplings
- Press and mill drive components
Advantages
- High strength — 850 MPa (123 ksi), better than 88% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 2.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 82% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 6 % IACS, worse than 78% of steel grades
SNC836 properties
Typical room-temperature values for SNC836-QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
SNC836 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
SNC836 has a yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) and a tensile strength of 990 MPa (144 ksi) — stronger than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
SNC836 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SNC836 conducts electricity at 6 % IACS, worse than 78% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SNC836 takes about 33 MJ of energy and emits 2.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
SNC836's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 73% of steel grades); weldability poor (28/100); 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. SNC836 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with SNC836
Is SNC836 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed or 269–321 HB Q&T state with rigid setups, coated carbide, 60–110 m/min and generous feed; the work-hardening Ni-Cr matrix rubs and glazes at low feeds, so avoid dwelling and finish-grind after case hardening.
Can SNC836 be welded?
Poor weldability (carbon equivalent ~0.9): preheat 250–350 °C, use low-hydrogen electrodes or matching Ni-Cr filler, keep interpass temperature and temper/stress-relieve at 550–620 °C immediately after welding.
Can SNC836 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1150–1200 °C, finish above 900 °C and cool slowly or normalize; cold forming is limited to straightening — bend only in the annealed condition with generous radii.
SNC836 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 | 0.32 – 0.4 | 0.36 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.35 – 0.65 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Ni | 3 – 3.5 | 3.25 |
| Cr | 0.6 – 1 | 0.8 |
| Curesidual max | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on SNC836?
No corrosion resistance of its own — protect with oil, black oxide, manganese phosphate, zinc or hard-chrome plating; polishes and grinds to a fine finish, but bake after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement at ≥1000 MPa.
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
How much does SNC836 cost?
SNC836 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.
SNC836 — frequently asked
What is SNC836 used for?
SNC836 is typically used for large industrial gears, heavy drive and pinion shafts, gearbox output shafts, crankshafts and connecting rods, nitrided wear shafts and sleeves and high-load couplings. In short: highest core strength in family; nitridable Ni-Cr grade; 400 °C service ceiling.
What is the yield strength of SNC836?
SNC836 has a typical yield strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) and a tensile strength of 990 MPa (144 ksi) — stronger than 88% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is SNC836 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 73% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed or 269–321 HB Q&T state with rigid setups, coated carbide, 60–110 m/min and generous feed; the work-hardening Ni-Cr matrix rubs and glazes at low feeds, so avoid dwelling and finish-grind after case hardening.
Can SNC836 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (28/100). Poor weldability (carbon equivalent ~0.9): preheat 250–350 °C, use low-hydrogen electrodes or matching Ni-Cr filler, keep interpass temperature and temper/stress-relieve at 550–620 °C immediately after welding.
What surface finishes work on SNC836?
No corrosion resistance of its own — protect with oil, black oxide, manganese phosphate, zinc or hard-chrome plating; polishes and grinds to a fine finish, but bake after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement at ≥1000 MPa.
Can SNC836 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1150–1200 °C, finish above 900 °C and cool slowly or normalize; cold forming is limited to straightening — bend only in the annealed condition with generous radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of SNC836?
SNC836 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 SNC836-QT and SNC836-A?
QT is the default condition — standard JIS delivery condition for gears, shafts and heavy bolts — 930 MPa minimum tensile with good toughness through large sections. A: softest condition, chosen for heavy machining, deep hole drilling or cold straightening before final hardening. Yield strength is 850 MPa in QT versus 460 MPa in A.
How much does SNC836 cost?
SNC836 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.
Sources
- JIS G 4102 — Nickel chromium steels — Japanese Standards Association (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 4 — Heat Treating — ASM International (1991)
- Special steel bar grade data (Ni-Cr structural steels) — Daido Steel / Sanyo Special Steel (2022)
- JIS/GB cross-reference of alloy structural steels (SNC836 ≈ 37CrNi3) — GB/T 3077 reference tables (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.