Quenching Tempering DIN 38Cr2 Alloy Steel

Product Overview

DIN 38Cr2 1.7003 Steel is a premium medium-carbon chromium alloy steel compliant with EN 10083-3 and EN 10250-3 standards. Engineered for quenching and tempering, this grade delivers an optimal balance of strength, toughness, and wear resistance—making it a staple in automotive, machinery, and general engineering. With a carbon content of 0.35-0.42%, 38Cr2 1.7003 Steel offers superior hardenability and machinability, retaining durability in demanding industrial environments. Its versatile supply forms and consistent performance make it a cost-effective choice for medium-to-high stress components.

Key Product Features

Optimal Strength-Toughness Balance

After quenching and tempering, DIN 38Cr2 1.7003 achieves tensile strength of 600-950 Mpa and yield strength of 350-550 Mpa—balancing load-bearing capacity with impact resistance.

Chromium additions (0.40-0.60%) enhance hardenability, ensuring uniform mechanical properties across thick sections (up to Φ1200mm for forged bars).

Versatile Supply & Precision Tolerances

Available as cold-drawn bars (Φ3-Φ80mm), hot-rolled bars (Φ16-Φ310mm), hot-forged bars (Φ100-Φ1200mm), and plates (T:3-200mm)—supporting diverse component sizes. Surface finishes like grinding (+0/+0.05mm) and peeling (+0/+0.1mm) ensure assembly-ready precision.

In annealed condition (HB 207 Max), it machines smoothly—reducing tool wear and production time for complex components.

1: Steel equivalent

Country	Europe	Germany
Standard	EN10083-3	DIN
Grade	38Cr2/1.7003	38Cr2

2: Chemical composition

Grade	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Cr
38Cr2/1.7003	0.35-0.42	0.40Max	0.50-0.80	0.025Max	0.035Max	0.40-0.60

3: Mechanical properties

Mechanical properties for 38Cr2 quenching and tempering alloy steel.

Size range	Tensile strength	Yield strength	Alongation	Area of reduction	Impact value At RT/J
d≤16 t≤8	800-950Mpa	550Mpa Min	14% Min	35% Min	/
16＜d≤40 8＜t≤20	700-850Mpa	450Mpa Min	15% Min	40%Min	35J Min
40＜d≤100 20＜t≤60	600-750Mpa	350Mpa Min	17% Min	45%Min	35J Min

Sampling and preparation of test pieces for 38Cr2 quenching and tempering steel.

1): According to EN10083-1, all samples shall be taken at a distance of 12.5mm below the heat treated surface

2): As stipulated in the contract between buyer and seller.

Mechanical properties for 38Cr2 open die forgings steel according to EN10250-3

Size range	Tensile strength	Yield strength	Alongation		Impact value at RT/J
d≤70	600Mpa Min	350Mpa Min	17% Min		35J Min

Sampling and preparation of test pieces for steel forging.

1: According to EN10250-1, all samples shall be taken at a distance of 4/T below the heat treated surface (with a minimum of 20mm and a maximum of 80mm), and t/2 from the end (where t is the equivalent thickness of the thickness of the ruling section of the forging at the time of heat treatment.

2: As stipulated in the contract between buyer and seller.

4: Surface hardness and hardenability

Heat Treatment	Hardness
Treated to improve shearability (+S)	HB255Max
Soft annealed (+A)	HB207Max
Quenched and tempred (+QT)	HRC28-32(Common Range)

Where the steel is ordered by using the symbols for normal (+H) or restricted (+HL, +HH) hardenability requirements, the hardenability values should apply below:

Distance in mm from quenched end
Distance		1.5	3	5	7	9	11	13	15	20	25	30	35	40	45	50
Hardness In HRC + H	max	59	57	54	49	43	39	37	35	32	30	27	/	/	/	/
	min	51	46	37	29	25	22	20	/	/	/	/	/	/	/	/
Hardness In HRC + HH	max	59	57	54	49	43	39	37	35	32	30	27	/	/	/	/
	min	54	50	43	36	31	28	26	24	21	/	/	/	/	/	/
Hardness In HRC + HL	max	56	53	48	42	37	33	31	29	26	24	21	/	/	/	/
	min	51	46	37	29	25	22	20	/	/	/	/	/	/	/	/

Scatter bands for the Rockwell - C hardness in the end quench hardenability test.

5: Supply size & Tolerance & Stock size

Product type	Size range	Length
Cold drawn bar	Φ3-Φ80mm	6000-9000mm
Hot rolled bar	Φ16-Φ310mm	6000-9000mm
Hot forged bar	Φ100-Φ1200mm	3000-5800mm
Hot rolled plate/sheet	T:3-200mm; W:1500-2500mm	2000-5800mm
Hot Forged block	T: 80-800mm; W: 100-2500mm	2000-5800mm

Surface Finish	Turned	Milled	Grinding(Best)	Polished(Best)	Peeled(Best)	Black Forged	Black Rolled
Tolerance	+0/+3mm	+0/+3mm	+0/+0.05mm	+0/+0.05mm	+0/+0.1mm	+0/+5mm	+0/+1mm
Straighness	1mm/1000mm max.					3mm/1000mm max.

Qilu steel stock hot rolled bar and forged bars more than ten thousands tons every month, below our our stock size.

1): Stock diameter for hot rolled bar

16	18	20	22	24	25	26	27	28	30	31	32	33	35	36
38	39	40	42	45	46	48	50	52	55	56	58	60	62	63
65	68	70	72	75	78	80	82	83	85	87	90	95	100	105
110	115	120	125	130	135	140	145	150	155	160	170	180	190	200
210	220	230	240	250	260	270	280	290	300	310

2) : Stock diameter for hot forged bar

310	320	330	340	350	360	370	380	390	400
410	420	430	440	450	460	470	480	490	500
510	520	530	540	550

Since the stocks change everyday, if you want to know our stock available information, please contact our salesman.

6：Forging processing

Put the 38Cr2 ingot into the furnace and heat to 1150-1200℃

Forge the ingot, forging temperature should be not less than 850-950℃

Cooling in the air or in the furnace after forged

7: Heat treatment

Soft annealed:

Heat 38Cr2 steel to 820-860℃ in the furnace

Soak at this temperature in the furnace

Cooling in the furnace

Normalized:

Heat 38Cr2 steel to 860-880℃ in the furnace

Soak at this temperature in the furnace

Cooling in the air

Quenching and tempering:

Heat 38Cr2 steel to 830-870℃ in the furnace

Soak at this temperature in the furnace

Quench in water or oil

Temper steel at 540-680℃ in the furnace

Take out of 38Cr2 steel from furnace and cool in the air.

Remark: The conditions given above are for guidance, at the temperatures at the lower end of the range are generally applicable to hardening in water and those at the upper end for hardening in oil.

8: Weldability

38Cr2 steel has limited weldability due to its medium carbon content of 0.35 to 0.42%. Since weldability typically decreases with increasing carbon content, steels with carbon levels above 0.25% are generally more prone to cracking during welding.

Application Scenarios

Automotive Industry

Gear shafts & transmission components: Withstand cyclic loads and torque

Crankshafts & camshafts: Balance strength and fatigue resistance for engine performance

Axles & drive shafts: Load-bearing capacity for vehicle propulsion

Suspension components: Steering knuckles (impact resistance for road conditions)

Machinery & Heavy Equipment

Hydraulic cylinders & piston rods: Pressure resistance and wear performance

Gears & sprockets: Medium-load transmission (hardenability for uniform wear)

High-strength fasteners: Bolts and studs for critical machinery joints

Pump & valve components: Corrosion resistance and pressure tolerance

General Engineering & Tooling

Forged components: Levers, couplings, and brackets (strength for dynamic loads)

Molds & dies: Medium-load tooling (wear resistance after heat treatment)

Construction & mining equipment parts: Withstand harsh operating conditions

FAQ

What is the weldability of DIN 38Cr2 1.7003 Steel?

Weldability is limited due to medium carbon content (0.35-0.42%). Pre-weld heating (200-300℃) and post-weld tempering are recommended to prevent cracking.

What is the typical hardness after quenching and tempering?

The common hardness range is HRC 28-32—adjustable via tempering temperature (higher temps reduce hardness, increase toughness).

What is the maximum supply size for hot-forged bars?

Hot-forged bars are available up to Φ1200mm in diameter and 3000-5800mm in length—suitable for large machinery components.

Is 38Cr2 Steel suitable for corrosion-prone environments?

It offers moderate corrosion resistance. For harsh environments (e.g., marine), consider corrosion-resistant alloys or protective coatings.