Steel 5130 · hardness band
Steel 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC
Properties of the Q&T 28-32 HRC condition, compared with the other 5130 tempers.
Choose when impact toughness and machinability matter more than peak strength (large shafts, forged levers).
What is 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC?
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC is 5130 heat treated to Q&T 28-32 HRC — choose when impact toughness and machinability matter more than peak strength (large shafts, forged levers). 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC has a yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 5130 Q&T 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T 28-32 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- 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
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 5130 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
5130 Q&T 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).
Mechanical13
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC has a yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
5130 Q&T 28-32 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
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5130 Q&T 28-32 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%.
Manufacturability6
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 5130 tempers and conditions
5130 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 5130 overview.
- HRDefaultCheapest stock form for parts that will be machined then heat treated; scaled surface and loose tolerances.415 MPa yield · 187 HB
- Q&T 38-42 HRCFor high-strength pins, gear racks and wear surfaces in small sections; reduced toughness, machine before hardening.1,150 MPa yield · 40 HRC
- Q&TStandard service condition for shafts, bolts and steering/linkage parts needing high strength with useful toughness.900 MPa yield · 33 HRC
- Q&T 28-32 HRCChoose when impact toughness and machinability matter more than peak strength (large shafts, forged levers).820 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- CDBright, size-accurate bar with raised yield strength; best when parts are used without further heat treatment or only stress-relieved.580 MPa yield · 200 HB
- NormalizedUniform fine-grained structure with better toughness than as-rolled; typical pre-machining condition for forgings.436 MPa yield · 197 HB
- AnnealedSoftest and most machinable/formable condition; used as supply state before final quench and temper.380 MPa yield · 170 HB
Working with 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC
Is 5130 easy to machine?
Machines best at 170–200 HB (annealed/normalized) with carbide tooling at ~120–180 m/min; above 35 HRC use rigid setups, coated carbide or grinding.
Can 5130 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen/matching filler but preheat 200–300 °C, control interpass and post-weld temper (~600 °C) to avoid martensite cracking in the HAZ.
Can 5130 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form only in annealed/spheroidized state with generous radii; hot forge 1150–850 °C then normalize; oil quench from 855–870 °C, temper 200–650 °C to the target hardness.
What surface finishes work on 5130?
No corrosion resistance — finish with black oxide, phosphate+oil, zinc or hard chrome plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement above 1000 MPa), or paint; polishes and grinds well when hardened.
5130 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 | 0.28 – 0.33 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Cr | 0.8 – 1.1 | 0.95 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Smax (0.015–0.035 for resulfurized 5130 variants) | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC — frequently asked
What is 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC used for?
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC is typically used for shafts, gears and bolts. In short: chromium spring-steel bar.
What is the yield strength of 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC?
5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC has a typical yield strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 87% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines best at 170–200 HB (annealed/normalized) with carbide tooling at ~120–180 m/min; above 35 HRC use rigid setups, coated carbide or grinding.
Can 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen/matching filler but preheat 200–300 °C, control interpass and post-weld temper (~600 °C) to avoid martensite cracking in the HAZ.
What surface finishes work on 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC?
No corrosion resistance — finish with black oxide, phosphate+oil, zinc or hard chrome plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement above 1000 MPa), or paint; polishes and grinds well when hardened.
Can 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form only in annealed/spheroidized state with generous radii; hot forge 1150–850 °C then normalize; oil quench from 855–870 °C, temper 200–650 °C to the target hardness.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC?
5130 Q&T 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 5130-HR and 5130-CD?
HR is the default condition — cheapest stock form for parts that will be machined then heat treated; scaled surface and loose tolerances. CD: bright, size-accurate bar with raised yield strength; best when parts are used without further heat treatment or only stress-relieved. Yield strength is 415 MPa in HR versus 580 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5130 Q&T 28-32 HRC?
Yes — 5130 Q&T 28-32 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 — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- GB/T 3077 (30Cr) — SAC (2015)
- 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Mysteel / 1688 (2026)
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.