General information
EN 36C is a premium 3% nickel-chromium case-hardening steel offering outstanding core toughness and shock resistance. The high nickel content suits the most demanding, heavily loaded gearing, bearing and crankshaft duties where reliability under impact is critical.
Similar designations
EN 36C655M13832M1314NiCrMo13-41.6657SAE 3415
Chemical composition
Typical composition limits (weight %). Balance iron.
| Element | Min % | Max % |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.12 | 0.18 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.10 | 0.35 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.30 | 0.60 |
| Phosphorus (P) | — | 0.035 |
| Sulphur (S) | — | 0.035 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.80 | 1.20 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 3.00 | 3.75 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.10 | 0.25 |
Mechanical properties
Typical values in the carburised, hardened and tempered condition.
| Property | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Case hardness (surface) | 60–62 HRC |
| Core hardness | 30–45 HRC |
| Core tensile strength | 900–1200 MPa |
| Core elongation A5 | 10–14 % |
| Supply hardness (annealed) | max. 255 HB |
Case and core properties depend on carburising depth, section size and heat treatment. A mill test certificate is supplied with every dispatch.
Transformation temperatures
| Transformation point | Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|
| Ac1 | 700 |
| Ac3 | 780 |
| Ms (core) | 360 |
Heat treatment recommendations
| Treatment | Temperature cycle | Cooling / quenching |
|---|---|---|
| Normalizing | 850–880 °C | In still air |
| Carburising | 900–925 °C | Case depth to requirement |
| Core refining | 840–870 °C | Quench in oil |
| Hardening | 780–820 °C | Quench in oil |
| Tempering | 150–200 °C | In air |
| Soft annealing | 650 °C | Furnace cool |
Typical case-hardness profile
Indicative hardness gradient from the carburised surface into the tough core, for a typical effective case depth. Actual profile is set by the carburising cycle.
Hardness vs depth from surface
Physical properties
Typical values at ambient temperature unless stated.
| Property | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Young’s modulus | 205 GPa |
| Poisson’s ratio | 0.30 |
| Shear modulus | 80 GPa |
| Density | 7,850 kg/m³ |
| Thermal expansion (20–300 °C) | 11.5 µm/m·K |
| Specific heat | 460 J/kg·K |
| Thermal conductivity | 38 W/m·K |
| Electrical resistivity | 0.22 µΩ·m |
Typical applications
Heavy-duty gearsCrankshaftsRoller bearingsGudgeon pinsCamsAircraft components
Disclaimer. The information above is provided for general guidance only and represents typical values for the grade; it is not a warranty or guarantee. Actual properties depend on dimension, heat treatment and processing. Every dispatch is accompanied by a mill test certificate stating the actual results for that heat. Please confirm suitability for your specific application with our technical team.
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