-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000276889-03-000128.txt : 20031218
<SEC-HEADER>0000276889-03-000128.hdr.sgml : 20031218
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031218135748
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000276889-03-000128
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031216
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031218

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			QUANEX CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000276889
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ROLLING DRAWING & EXTRUDING OF NONFERROUS METALS [3350]
		IRS NUMBER:				381872178
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1031

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1900 W LOOP S STE 1500
		STREET 2:		ATTN WENDY RODENBECK
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77027
		BUSINESS PHONE:		713-877-5328

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1900 WEST LOOP SOUTH
		STREET 2:		SUITE 1500
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77027

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JEAN RAYMOND A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001028625

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05725
		FILM NUMBER:		031061936

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1130 GREEN BAY ROAD
		CITY:			LAKE FOREST
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60045
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8472958707

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		VARLEN CORP
		STREET 2:		55 SHUMAN BLVD PO BOX 3089
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60566
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>c0001028625d20031218f4f.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
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mounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>55000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>32</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-12-05</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2012-12-04</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>55000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>55000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></val
ue></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Stock Options (Right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>39.6</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2004-12-04</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-12-03</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>32700</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>32700</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Phantom Stock Units</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>0</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value
>2003-12-04</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>1988-08-08</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>15396</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>15396</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value></value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Options exercised under the Quanex Corporation 1996 Employee Stock Option Plan.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Terry M. Murphy, Power of Attorney</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-12-18</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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