Steel T10 · hardness band
Steel T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC
Properties of the Q&T 45-50 HRC condition, compared with the other T10 tempers.
Toughness-biased condition for shock-loaded tooling, springs and heavy-section parts.
What is T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC?
T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC is T10 heat treated to Q&T 45-50 HRC — toughness-biased condition for shock-loaded tooling, springs and heavy-section parts. T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC has a yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC has a density of 7.81 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T 45-50 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,350 MPa (196 ksi), better than 95% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 7%, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every T10 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC has a density of 7.81 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical15
T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC has a yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 46 W/m·K (26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC conducts electricity at 9 % IACS, better than 70% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC's machinability is fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other T10 tempers and conditions
T10 is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the T10 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultDefault stock condition for bar, strip and plate: soft, machinable and ready for hardening after machining.420 MPa yield · 192 HB
- Q&T 62-64 HRCMaximum wear resistance and edge holding for files, razor blades, scrapers and hand-cutting tools.2,000 MPa yield · 63 HRC
- Q&T 58-62 HRCStandard working hardness for taps, reamers, punches, woodworking chisels and small blanking dies.1,850 MPa yield · 60 HRC
- Q&T 54-58 HRCSlightly tougher setting for shear blades, cold chisels and impact-loaded punches.1,650 MPa yield · 56 HRC
- Q&T 45-50 HRCToughness-biased condition for shock-loaded tooling, springs and heavy-section parts.1,350 MPa yield · 48 HRC
Working with T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC
Is T10 easy to machine?
Machine in the spheroidize-annealed condition with HSS or carbide at moderate speeds; hardened parts require grinding or EDM.
Can T10 be welded?
Effectively non-weldable for structural purposes — 1 % C causes hard, crack-prone HAZ; only TIG/laser tool repair with preheat 250–350 °C and immediate temper.
Can T10 be formed, bent or molded?
Annealed strip cold-forms and blanks acceptably; hot work at 1050–850 °C and cool slowly, then spheroidize anneal at 740–760 °C before machining.
What surface finishes work on T10?
Grinds and mirror-polishes well when hardened; protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate, nitriding or plating since bare surfaces rust quickly.
T10 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 | 0.95 – 1.04 | 1 |
| Si | ≤ 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| PT10A high-grade: P ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| ST10A high-grade: S ≤ 0.020 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance | — |
T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC — frequently asked
What is T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC used for?
T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC is typically used for hand cutting tools, shear blades, blanking and piercing punches, cold-work dies, woodworking chisels and plane irons and files and reamers. In short: high-carbon tool steel.
What is the yield strength of T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC?
T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades). Machine in the spheroidize-annealed condition with HSS or carbide at moderate speeds; hardened parts require grinding or EDM.
Can T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Effectively non-weldable for structural purposes — 1 % C causes hard, crack-prone HAZ; only TIG/laser tool repair with preheat 250–350 °C and immediate temper.
What surface finishes work on T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC?
Grinds and mirror-polishes well when hardened; protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate, nitriding or plating since bare surfaces rust quickly.
Can T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Annealed strip cold-forms and blanks acceptably; hot work at 1050–850 °C and cool slowly, then spheroidize anneal at 740–760 °C before machining.
What is the maximum service temperature of T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC?
T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between T10 Annealed and T10 CR-Hard?
Annealed is the default condition — default stock condition for bar, strip and plate: soft, machinable and ready for hardening after machining. CR-Hard: work-hardened strip used where stiffness and edge retention are needed without a hardening cycle. Yield strength is 420 MPa in Annealed versus 850 MPa in CR-Hard.
Can FabDigit make parts in T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC?
Yes — T10 Q&T 45-50 HRC is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- GB/T 1298 Carbon Tool Steels — Technical Requirements — SAC (China) (2008)
- DIN 17350 / EN ISO 4957 (1.1645 C105W1) — DIN / ISO (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (W1 water-hardening tool steels) — ASM International (1990)
- Tool Steels, 5th ed. — ASM International (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.