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E: enquiry@qilumetal.com
E: enquiry@qilumetal.com
No. 18 Xiangfu Middle Road,Yuhua District, Changsha City
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Grade: 38Cr2 1.7003
38Cr2 steel is a premium medium-carbon chromium alloy steel whose chemical composition is precisely engineered to deliver an optimal balance of strength, toughness, and machinability. With a carbon (C) content of 0.35-0.42%, it provides the fundamental basis for achieving high strength and wear resistance through quenching and tempering heat treatment. The addition of chromium (Cr) in the range of 0.40-0.60% significantly enhances the hardenability of the steel, ensuring uniform mechanical properties even in large cross-sections. Manganese (Mn) content, maintained at 0.50-0.80%, further contributes to strength and hardenability.
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38Cr2
Qilu
Qilu Steel supplies premium-grade DIN 38Cr2 (Material Number 1.7003) alloy steel, specifically engineered for quenching and tempering heat treatment. Compliant with European standards EN 10083-3 and EN 10250-3, this medium-carbon chromium steel delivers an exceptional balance of high tensile strength, good toughness, and improved wear resistance. It is a versatile and cost-effective solution for manufacturing critical components subjected to medium and high stress across various industries.
Our 38Cr2 steel is available in multiple forms—including hot-rolled bars, cold-drawn bars, hot-forged bars, and plates—to suit your specific machining and fabrication needs. With controlled chemical composition and precise heat treatment, we ensure consistent mechanical properties and performance in demanding applications.
Country | Europe | Germany |
Standard | EN10083-3 | DIN |
Grade | 38Cr2/1.7003 | 38Cr2 |
After quenching and tempering, DIN 38Cr2 achieves a tensile strength of 600–950 Mpa and a yield strength of 350–550 Mpa. This balances load-bearing capacity and impact resistance, making it ideal for dynamic load applications. The addition of 0.40–0.60% chromium enhances hardenability, ensuring uniform performance even across thick sections up to Φ1200mm for forged bars.
DIN 38Cr2 is available in multiple forms to meet diverse manufacturing needs:
Cold-drawn bars: Φ3–Φ80mm, length 6000–9000mm
Hot-rolled bars: Φ16–Φ310mm, length 6000–9000mm
Hot-forged bars: Φ100–Φ1200mm, length 3000–5800mm
Plates & blocks: Thickness 3–800mm, customizable widths and lengths
Precision surface finishes like grinding (+0/+0.05mm) and peeling (+0/+0.1mm) ensure assembly-ready accuracy, while the annealed condition (HB 207 Max) reduces tool wear during machining of complex parts.
Different heat treatment processes tailor the steel’s hardness for specific applications:
Soft annealed (+A): HB 207 Max, optimized for machinability
Shearability-improved (+S): HB 255 Max, suitable for cutting operations
Quenched and tempered (+QT): HRC 28–32 (common range), ideal for high-strength components
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 |
Mechanical properties vary by component size, ensuring compliance with application requirements:
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
For open-die forgings (per EN 10250-3), components with d≤70mm have a minimum tensile strength of 600 Mpa, minimum yield strength of 350 Mpa, minimum elongation of 17%, and minimum impact value of 35 J.
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.
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) |
Hardenability is a critical parameter for DIN 38Cr2, with three graded requirements (+H, +HH, +HL) defined by Rockwell C hardness at different distances from the quenched end. This ensures the steel can be heat-treated to achieve consistent hardness across varying section sizes, a key advantage for large-scale components like hydraulic cylinders and crankshafts.
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.
Hot-rolled bars: Diameters from 16mm to 310mm (full range in stock monthly)
Hot-forged bars: Diameters from 310mm to 550mm (ready for immediate shipment)
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. | |||||
Heat 38Cr2 ingots to 1150–1200℃ in a furnace
Forge at a minimum temperature of 850–950℃ to avoid cracking
Cool in air or furnace after forging to ensure structural integrity
Soft Annealing: Heat to 820–860℃ → soak → furnace cool (optimizes machinability)
Normalizing: Heat to 860–880℃ → soak → air cool (improves uniformity for further heat treatment)
Quenching & Tempering: Heat to 830–870℃ → soak → quench in water/oil → temper at 540–680℃ → air cool (achieves peak strength-toughness balance)
Note: Lower quenching temperatures suit water quenching; higher temperatures are for oil quenching.
DIN 38Cr2 has limited weldability due to its 0.35–0.42% carbon content. Steels with carbon above 0.25% are prone to weld cracking. To ensure quality welds:
Pre-heat the base material to 200–300℃ before welding
Perform post-weld tempering to relieve residual stresses
Use low-hydrogen welding consumables to minimize cracking risk
DIN 38Cr2 is the go-to grade for high-stress components across industries:
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)
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
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
A1: The common hardness range is HRC 28–32. Adjust the tempering temperature to tailor hardness: higher temperatures reduce hardness but increase toughness, while lower temperatures boost hardness for wear resistance.
A2: It offers moderate corrosion resistance only. For harsh environments like marine or chemical settings, use corrosion-resistant alloys or apply protective coatings (e.g., galvanization, paint) to extend service life.
A3: For optimal machinability, process the material in its soft-annealed state. Using sharp tools, appropriate cutting speeds, and coolants is advised. After machining, the component can then undergo final quenching and tempering to achieve the desired high strength.
A4: Weldability is limited due to its medium carbon content. If welding is required, pre-heating (200-300°C) and post-weld heat treatment (tempering) are essential to reduce the risk of cracking in the heat-affected zone. For critical welded structures, consulting a welding engineer is mandatory.
A5: Hot-rolled bars have a scaled surface and larger dimensional tolerances, suitable for further forging or machining where surface finish is not critical. Cold-drawn bars have a smoother surface, tighter dimensional tolerances, and slightly higher strength, making them ideal for precision machining with less subsequent finishing.
A6: The final hardness is primarily controlled by the tempering temperature. A lower tempering temperature (e.g., 540°C) results in higher hardness and strength, while a higher tempering temperature (e.g., 680°C) yields lower hardness but greater toughness and ductility. The specific temperature is selected based on the component's service requirements.
Compliance with International Standards: Fully meets EN 10083-3 and EN 10250-3 requirements for chemical and mechanical properties.
Stable Inventory: Tens of thousands of tons of hot-rolled and forged bars in stock monthly for quick delivery.
Custom Processing Services: Tailored forging, heat treatment, and surface finishing to meet your exact component specifications.
Technical Support: Our engineering team provides full-process guidance from material selection to post-processing optimization.
Contact Us Today to get a customized quote and technical consultation for your DIN 38Cr2 alloy steel needs!
Qilu Steel supplies premium-grade DIN 38Cr2 (Material Number 1.7003) alloy steel, specifically engineered for quenching and tempering heat treatment. Compliant with European standards EN 10083-3 and EN 10250-3, this medium-carbon chromium steel delivers an exceptional balance of high tensile strength, good toughness, and improved wear resistance. It is a versatile and cost-effective solution for manufacturing critical components subjected to medium and high stress across various industries.
Our 38Cr2 steel is available in multiple forms—including hot-rolled bars, cold-drawn bars, hot-forged bars, and plates—to suit your specific machining and fabrication needs. With controlled chemical composition and precise heat treatment, we ensure consistent mechanical properties and performance in demanding applications.
Country | Europe | Germany |
Standard | EN10083-3 | DIN |
Grade | 38Cr2/1.7003 | 38Cr2 |
After quenching and tempering, DIN 38Cr2 achieves a tensile strength of 600–950 Mpa and a yield strength of 350–550 Mpa. This balances load-bearing capacity and impact resistance, making it ideal for dynamic load applications. The addition of 0.40–0.60% chromium enhances hardenability, ensuring uniform performance even across thick sections up to Φ1200mm for forged bars.
DIN 38Cr2 is available in multiple forms to meet diverse manufacturing needs:
Cold-drawn bars: Φ3–Φ80mm, length 6000–9000mm
Hot-rolled bars: Φ16–Φ310mm, length 6000–9000mm
Hot-forged bars: Φ100–Φ1200mm, length 3000–5800mm
Plates & blocks: Thickness 3–800mm, customizable widths and lengths
Precision surface finishes like grinding (+0/+0.05mm) and peeling (+0/+0.1mm) ensure assembly-ready accuracy, while the annealed condition (HB 207 Max) reduces tool wear during machining of complex parts.
Different heat treatment processes tailor the steel’s hardness for specific applications:
Soft annealed (+A): HB 207 Max, optimized for machinability
Shearability-improved (+S): HB 255 Max, suitable for cutting operations
Quenched and tempered (+QT): HRC 28–32 (common range), ideal for high-strength components
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 |
Mechanical properties vary by component size, ensuring compliance with application requirements:
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
For open-die forgings (per EN 10250-3), components with d≤70mm have a minimum tensile strength of 600 Mpa, minimum yield strength of 350 Mpa, minimum elongation of 17%, and minimum impact value of 35 J.
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.
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) |
Hardenability is a critical parameter for DIN 38Cr2, with three graded requirements (+H, +HH, +HL) defined by Rockwell C hardness at different distances from the quenched end. This ensures the steel can be heat-treated to achieve consistent hardness across varying section sizes, a key advantage for large-scale components like hydraulic cylinders and crankshafts.
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.
Hot-rolled bars: Diameters from 16mm to 310mm (full range in stock monthly)
Hot-forged bars: Diameters from 310mm to 550mm (ready for immediate shipment)
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. | |||||
Heat 38Cr2 ingots to 1150–1200℃ in a furnace
Forge at a minimum temperature of 850–950℃ to avoid cracking
Cool in air or furnace after forging to ensure structural integrity
Soft Annealing: Heat to 820–860℃ → soak → furnace cool (optimizes machinability)
Normalizing: Heat to 860–880℃ → soak → air cool (improves uniformity for further heat treatment)
Quenching & Tempering: Heat to 830–870℃ → soak → quench in water/oil → temper at 540–680℃ → air cool (achieves peak strength-toughness balance)
Note: Lower quenching temperatures suit water quenching; higher temperatures are for oil quenching.
DIN 38Cr2 has limited weldability due to its 0.35–0.42% carbon content. Steels with carbon above 0.25% are prone to weld cracking. To ensure quality welds:
Pre-heat the base material to 200–300℃ before welding
Perform post-weld tempering to relieve residual stresses
Use low-hydrogen welding consumables to minimize cracking risk
DIN 38Cr2 is the go-to grade for high-stress components across industries:
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)
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
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
A1: The common hardness range is HRC 28–32. Adjust the tempering temperature to tailor hardness: higher temperatures reduce hardness but increase toughness, while lower temperatures boost hardness for wear resistance.
A2: It offers moderate corrosion resistance only. For harsh environments like marine or chemical settings, use corrosion-resistant alloys or apply protective coatings (e.g., galvanization, paint) to extend service life.
A3: For optimal machinability, process the material in its soft-annealed state. Using sharp tools, appropriate cutting speeds, and coolants is advised. After machining, the component can then undergo final quenching and tempering to achieve the desired high strength.
A4: Weldability is limited due to its medium carbon content. If welding is required, pre-heating (200-300°C) and post-weld heat treatment (tempering) are essential to reduce the risk of cracking in the heat-affected zone. For critical welded structures, consulting a welding engineer is mandatory.
A5: Hot-rolled bars have a scaled surface and larger dimensional tolerances, suitable for further forging or machining where surface finish is not critical. Cold-drawn bars have a smoother surface, tighter dimensional tolerances, and slightly higher strength, making them ideal for precision machining with less subsequent finishing.
A6: The final hardness is primarily controlled by the tempering temperature. A lower tempering temperature (e.g., 540°C) results in higher hardness and strength, while a higher tempering temperature (e.g., 680°C) yields lower hardness but greater toughness and ductility. The specific temperature is selected based on the component's service requirements.
Compliance with International Standards: Fully meets EN 10083-3 and EN 10250-3 requirements for chemical and mechanical properties.
Stable Inventory: Tens of thousands of tons of hot-rolled and forged bars in stock monthly for quick delivery.
Custom Processing Services: Tailored forging, heat treatment, and surface finishing to meet your exact component specifications.
Technical Support: Our engineering team provides full-process guidance from material selection to post-processing optimization.
Contact Us Today to get a customized quote and technical consultation for your DIN 38Cr2 alloy steel needs!
