Steel 1144 · hardness band
Steel 1144 QT-28-32HRC
Properties of the QT-28-32HRC condition, compared with the other 1144 tempers.
Oil quench from ~845 °C and temper ~540 °C when higher core strength and wear resistance are required.
What is 1144 QT-28-32HRC?
1144 QT-28-32HRC is 1144 heat treated to QT-28-32HRC — oil quench from ~845 °C and temper ~540 °C when higher core strength and wear resistance are required. 1144 QT-28-32HRC has a yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a tensile strength of 965 MPa (140 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1144 QT-28-32HRC 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT-28-32HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- High strength — 830 MPa (120 ksi), better than 87% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 60/100, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 50 MPa·√m (45.5 ksi·√in), worse than 87% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 13%, worse than 78% of steel grades
1144 QT-28-32HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1144 QT-28-32HRC — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1144 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1144 QT-28-32HRC 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).
Mechanical14
1144 QT-28-32HRC has a yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a tensile strength of 965 MPa (140 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1144 QT-28-32HRC is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1144 QT-28-32HRC conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 74% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1144 QT-28-32HRC takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability6
1144 QT-28-32HRC's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1144 tempers and conditions
1144 is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1144 overview.
- HRDefaultLowest-cost stock size for parts that will be fully machined or later heat treated.400 MPa yield · 197 HB
- QT-28-32HRCOil quench from ~845 °C and temper ~540 °C when higher core strength and wear resistance are required.830 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- CD-SRPick when a machined shaft must stay straight after heavy stock removal and needs ~690 MPa yield without heat treatment.690 MPa yield · 21 HRC
- CDStandard cold-finished bar: tighter tolerance, bright surface and higher yield than hot rolled.620 MPa yield · 212 HB
- CRCold-reduced flat/shaped stock where a bright, dimensionally accurate as-supplied surface is needed.600 MPa yield · 212 HB
- NormalizedUse to refine grain and homogenize structure after hot working, before machining or hardening.420 MPa yield · 197 HB
- AnnealedSoftest condition; choose for deep machining, cold forming or before hardening.345 MPa yield · 167 HB
Working with 1144 QT-28-32HRC
Is 1144 easy to machine?
One of the best-machining medium carbon steels (~80 % of 1212): high speeds, chip-breaking MnS inclusions, long tool life; keep feeds up to avoid rubbing.
Can 1144 be welded?
Not recommended — 0.44 C plus 0.3 % S invites hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable, preheat 200–300 °C, low-hydrogen filler and post-weld stress relief.
Can 1144 be formed, bent or molded?
Poor cold formability, especially transverse; bend only in the annealed condition with generous radii, or hot form at 1050–1200 °C.
What surface finishes work on 1144?
Rusts readily — specify black oxide, phosphate + oil, zinc or hard chrome plating; MnS stringers limit mirror polishing and can leave pits after plating.
1144 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CSAE J403 / ASTM A29 grade 1144 | 0.4 – 0.48 | 0.44 |
| Mn | 1.35 – 1.65 | 1.5 |
| SMnS inclusions give free-machining behaviour | 0.24 – 0.33 | 0.28 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Sinot normally specified for resulfurized grades | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1144 QT-28-32HRC — frequently asked
What is 1144 QT-28-32HRC used for?
1144 QT-28-32HRC is typically used for shafts, industrial spindles and cam followers. In short: resulfurized machining bar.
What is the yield strength of 1144 QT-28-32HRC?
1144 QT-28-32HRC has a typical yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a tensile strength of 965 MPa (140 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 1144 QT-28-32HRC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades). One of the best-machining medium carbon steels (~80 % of 1212): high speeds, chip-breaking MnS inclusions, long tool life; keep feeds up to avoid rubbing.
Can 1144 QT-28-32HRC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not recommended — 0.44 C plus 0.3 % S invites hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable, preheat 200–300 °C, low-hydrogen filler and post-weld stress relief.
What surface finishes work on 1144 QT-28-32HRC?
Rusts readily — specify black oxide, phosphate + oil, zinc or hard chrome plating; MnS stringers limit mirror polishing and can leave pits after plating.
Can 1144 QT-28-32HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Poor cold formability, especially transverse; bend only in the annealed condition with generous radii, or hot form at 1050–1200 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1144 QT-28-32HRC?
1144 QT-28-32HRC 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 1144-HR and 1144 CD-SR?
HR is the default condition — lowest-cost stock size for parts that will be fully machined or later heat treated. CD-SR: pick when a machined shaft must stay straight after heavy stock removal and needs ~690 MPa yield without heat treatment. Yield strength is 400 MPa in HR versus 690 MPa in CD-SR.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1144 QT-28-32HRC?
Yes — 1144 QT-28-32HRC is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A29/A29M Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM International (2020)
- SAE J403 Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- SAE J1397 Estimated Mechanical Properties of Steel Bars — SAE International (2009)
- EN 10087 Free-cutting steels (44SMn28, 1.0727) — CEN (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Stressproof cold drawn stress relieved bar data — Niagara LaSalle / bar producers (2022)
- GB/T 8731 (Y45Mn) — SAC (2008)
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.