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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QQ/ij+iRbmWHaIHE4XQjDqiXbtNq9CnzvzrRMRJ0ZDFsSPhQWX1hLW1NSlDbx45p
 h2EytQRzus+7O4QB+zUcaQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000276889-06-000110.txt : 20060612
<SEC-HEADER>0000276889-06-000110.hdr.sgml : 20060612
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060612120404
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000276889-06-000110
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060612
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060612
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060612

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WALKER THOMAS M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001209116

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-05725
		FILM NUMBER:		06898953

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6227 PURCELL ROAD
		CITY:			OREGON
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53575

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 BRENT KORB
		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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-06-12</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000276889</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>QUANEX CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001209116</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>WALKER THOMAS M</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1900 WEST LOOP SOUTH</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1500</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77027</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Sr VP Fin - CFO</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Thomas Michael Walker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-06-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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