Steel EN36 · supply condition
Steel EN36-CD
Properties of the CD condition, compared with the other EN36 tempers.
Cold-drawn bright bar for close-tolerance shafts and pins machined before carburizing.
What is EN36-CD?
EN36-CD is EN36 supplied in the CD condition — cold-drawn bright bar for close-tolerance shafts and pins machined before carburizing. EN36-CD has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 810 MPa (117 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi). EN36-CD 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; CD is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 620 MPa (89.9 ksi), better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 11%, worse than 89% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 6.5 % IACS, worse than 78% of steel grades
EN36-CD properties
Typical room-temperature values for EN36-CD — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every EN36 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
EN36-CD 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).
Mechanical16
EN36-CD has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 810 MPa (117 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
EN36-CD is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 36 W/m·K (20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 72% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
EN36-CD conducts electricity at 6.5 % IACS, worse than 78% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (14/100), better than 70% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of EN36-CD takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
EN36-CD's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); 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 EN36 tempers and conditions
EN36 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the EN36 overview.
- HRDefaultStandard stock condition for carburizing-grade bar; machined then case hardened.450 MPa yield · 200 HB
- CarburizedThe intended service condition: hard wear-resistant case on a tough Ni-Cr core for gears and pinions.800 MPa yield · 60 HRC
- Q&TUse where the part runs uncarburized and needs a tough, high-strength through-hardened core.740 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- CDCold-drawn bright bar for close-tolerance shafts and pins machined before carburizing.620 MPa yield · 235 HB
- NormalizedRefines forging grain structure and gives uniform response to subsequent carburizing.480 MPa yield · 210 HB
- AnnealedPick for maximum machinability and stress relief before carburizing or heavy cutting.400 MPa yield · 180 HB
Working with EN36-CD
Is EN36 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed or normalized state with sharp carbide tooling and rigid setups; rough before carburizing and finish-grind afterwards since the 60 HRC case is grinding-only.
Can EN36 be welded?
Poor weldability — high hardenability means preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and immediate post-weld tempering; avoid welding carburized zones entirely.
Can EN36 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1150–850 °C followed by slow cooling and normalizing; cold forming is limited to light bending in the annealed condition.
What surface finishes work on EN36?
No anodizing; protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc or hard-chrome plating, and bake after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement of the hardened case.
EN36 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CEN36A / 655M13 | 0.12 – 0.18 | 0.15 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.35 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Ni | 3 – 3.75 | 3.4 |
| Cr | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Moresidual only in EN36A; EN36C/832M13 variants add ~0.15–0.25 Mo | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance | — |
EN36-CD — frequently asked
What is EN36-CD used for?
EN36-CD is typically used for gears, industrial drive shafts and pins. In short: carburizing Ni-Cr bar.
What is the yield strength of EN36-CD?
EN36-CD has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 810 MPa (117 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is EN36-CD easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed or normalized state with sharp carbide tooling and rigid setups; rough before carburizing and finish-grind afterwards since the 60 HRC case is grinding-only.
Can EN36-CD be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Poor weldability — high hardenability means preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and immediate post-weld tempering; avoid welding carburized zones entirely.
What surface finishes work on EN36-CD?
No anodizing; protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc or hard-chrome plating, and bake after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement of the hardened case.
Can EN36-CD be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1150–850 °C followed by slow cooling and normalizing; cold forming is limited to light bending in the annealed condition.
What is the maximum service temperature of EN36-CD?
EN36-CD is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between EN36-HR and EN36-CD?
HR is the default condition — standard stock condition for carburizing-grade bar; machined then case hardened. CD: cold-drawn bright bar for close-tolerance shafts and pins machined before carburizing. Yield strength is 450 MPa in HR versus 620 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in EN36-CD?
Yes — EN36-CD 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
- BS 970-3: Wrought steels for mechanical and allied engineering purposes (655M13 / EN36) — BSI (1991)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4: Heat Treating (carburizing of Ni-Cr steels) — ASM International (1991)
- Nickel-chromium case hardening steel bar datasheets (EN36A/655M13) — European & Indian alloy bar mills (2022)
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.