Steel 1330 · hardness band
Steel 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC
Properties of the Q&T 33-38 HRC condition, compared with the other 1330 tempers.
Pick the ~425 °C temper at 33–38 HRC for heavily loaded bolts, pins and gear blanks requiring about 1145 MPa tensile strength; ductility and machinability fall against the higher temper.
What is 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC?
1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC is 1330 heat treated to Q&T 33-38 HRC — pick the ~425 °C temper at 33–38 HRC for heavily loaded bolts, pins and gear blanks requiring about 1145 MPa tensile strength; ductility and machinability fall against the higher temper. 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC has a yield strength of 1,085 MPa (157 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,145 MPa (166 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T 33-38 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,085 MPa (157 ksi), better than 93% of steel grades
1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1330 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical13
1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC has a yield strength of 1,085 MPa (157 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,145 MPa (166 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 44 W/m·K (25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.2 µm/m·K (6.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 58% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); 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 1330 tempers and conditions
1330 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1330 overview.
- HRDefaultCheapest stock condition for parts that will be machined and then heat treated by the fabricator.415 MPa yield · 197 HB
- Q&T 40-45 HRCMaximum practical strength level for 1330; wear-and-strength parts where notch toughness is secondary.1,315 MPa yield · 43 HRC
- Q&T 33-38 HRCPick the ~425 °C temper at 33–38 HRC for heavily loaded bolts, pins and gear blanks requiring about 1145 MPa tensile strength; ductility and machinability fall against the higher temper.1,085 MPa yield · 36 HRC
- Q&TChoose quenched and tempered near 540 °C (≈26–30 HRC) as the general-purpose condition for shafts and bolts needing about 900 MPa tensile strength with good toughness and 18% elongation.830 MPa yield · 27 HRC
- CRPick for close tolerance, bright finish and higher as-supplied strength on shafting and fastener stock.690 MPa yield · 235 HB
- Cold FinishedCold-drawn/turned-ground-polished 1330 Mn-alloy bar: ~10–20 % strength gain over hot rolled with tight size tolerance and good machined finish, but reduced ductility and residual stress.585 MPa yield · 202 HB
- NormalizedUniform fine grain and good toughness without quenching distortion; typical pre-machining condition for forgings.560 MPa yield · 23 HRC
- AnnealedSoftest, most machinable and most formable condition; use before cold forming or deep machining.470 MPa yield · 207 HB
Working with 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC
Is 1330 easy to machine?
Machines like a medium-carbon steel at ~60% of 1212; best in annealed/normalized state with rigid setups, carbide tooling and copious coolant — the high Mn makes chips gummy and work-hardening prone above 300 HB.
Can 1330 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen electrodes but C≈0.30 plus 1.75 Mn gives high hardenability: preheat 200–300 °C, control interpass, and stress-relieve or re-temper after welding; avoid welding in the fully hardened condition.
Can 1330 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1200 °C and finish above 900 °C, then normalize; cold bending only in annealed condition with generous bend radii (≥2.5 t).
What surface finishes work on 1330?
No natural corrosion protection — specify zinc or zinc-nickel plate (bake for hydrogen relief above 320 HB), manganese phosphate + oil, black oxide, or primer/paint; polishes to a good bright finish before plating.
1330 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 J404 heat analysis | 0.28 – 0.33 | 0.3 |
| Mnprimary alloying element of 13xx series | 1.6 – 1.9 | 1.75 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC — frequently asked
What is 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC used for?
1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC is typically used for drive shafts, industrial gears and bolts. In short: workhorse Mn-Mo bar.
What is the yield strength of 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC?
1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,085 MPa (157 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,145 MPa (166 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like a medium-carbon steel at ~60% of 1212; best in annealed/normalized state with rigid setups, carbide tooling and copious coolant — the high Mn makes chips gummy and work-hardening prone above 300 HB.
Can 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen electrodes but C≈0.30 plus 1.75 Mn gives high hardenability: preheat 200–300 °C, control interpass, and stress-relieve or re-temper after welding; avoid welding in the fully hardened condition.
What surface finishes work on 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC?
No natural corrosion protection — specify zinc or zinc-nickel plate (bake for hydrogen relief above 320 HB), manganese phosphate + oil, black oxide, or primer/paint; polishes to a good bright finish before plating.
Can 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1200 °C and finish above 900 °C, then normalize; cold bending only in annealed condition with generous bend radii (≥2.5 t).
What is the maximum service temperature of 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC?
1330 Q&T 33-38 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 1330-HR and 1330-CR?
HR is the default condition — cheapest stock condition for parts that will be machined and then heat treated by the fabricator. CR: pick for close tolerance, bright finish and higher as-supplied strength on shafting and fastener stock. Yield strength is 415 MPa in HR versus 690 MPa in CR.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC?
Yes — 1330 Q&T 33-38 HRC is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- SAE J404 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Alloy Steels — SAE International (2021)
- ASTM A29/A29M — General Requirements for Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (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)
- Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. — Industrial Press (2020)
- GB/T 3077 (30Mn2 near-equivalent) — SAC / (2015)
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.