Material and results
The degree of hardness depends on the chemical analysis of the metal, with carbon being the principal controlling element.
In choosing a material, availability, cost, hardness, and machinability are factors to consider. Our technical staff can advise you and discuss specific applications.
Maximum Attainable Hardness |
|
Hardness Conversions |
|
Steel/Iron Type |
Hardness, Rockwell C |
|
Brinell |
Rockwell C |
Shore |
|
1020 mild steel |
30-35 |
|
682 |
62 |
84 |
|
1035 |
45-50 |
|
653 |
60 |
81 |
|
1040 |
50-55 |
|
627 |
59 |
79 |
|
1045 |
55-60 |
|
601 |
58 |
77 |
|
1060 |
60-65 |
|
578 |
56 |
75 |
|
1145 |
55-60 |
|
555 |
55 |
73 |
|
1545 (speed treat) |
55-60 |
|
534 |
54 |
71 |
|
4140 |
58-62 |
|
514 |
52 |
70 |
|
4150 (maxel -- 3.5) |
60-65 |
|
495 |
51 |
68 |
|
4340 |
55-60 |
|
477 |
50 |
66 |
|
52100 |
60-65 |
|
461 |
48 |
65 |
|
8620 |
40-45 |
|
444 |
47 |
63 |
|
Meehanite GA |
55-60 |
|
429 |
46 |
61 |
|
Ductile 80-60-03 |
55-65 |
|
415 |
44 |
59 |
|
Gray Iron |
35-60 |
|
401 |
43 |
58 |
|
A36 |
40-45
|
|
388 |
42 |
56 |
|
|
|
|
375 |
40 |
54 |
|
|
|
|
363 |
39 |
52 |
|
|
|
|
352 |
38 |
51 |
|
|
|
|
341 |
37 |
50 |
|
|
|
|
331 |
36 |
48 |
|
|
|
|
321 |
34 |
47 |
|
|
|
|
311 |
33 |
46 |
|
|
|
|
302 |
32 |
45 |
|
|
|
|
293 |
31 |
43 |
|
|
|
|
285 |
30 |
42 |
|
|
|
|
277 |
29 |
41 |
|
|
|
|
269 |
28 |
40 |
|
|
|
|
262 |
27 |
39 |
|
|
|
|
255 |
25 |
38 |
|
|
|
|
248 |
24 |
37 |
|
|
|
|
241 |
23 |
36 |
|
|
|
|
235 |
22 |
35 |
|
|
|
|
229 |
20 |
34 |
|
|
|
|
223 |
19 |
-- |
|
|
|
|
217 |
18 |
33 |
|
|
|
|
212 |
16 |
-- |
|
|
|
|
207 |
15 |
32 |
|
|
|
|
197 |
13 |
30 |
|
|
|
|
187 |
10 |
29 |
|
|
|
|
179 |
8 |
27 |
|
|
|
|
170 |
5 |
-- |
|
|
|
|
163 |
3 |
-- |
|
|
|
|
156 |
1 |
-- |
|
|
|
|
149 |
-- |
-- |