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Steel 60Si2Mn · heat-treated state

Steel 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered

Properties of the Hardened & Tempered condition, compared with the other 60Si2Mn tempers.

Final spring condition: maximum elastic limit and relaxation resistance for leaf, coil and disc springs; usually shot-peened afterwards.

CNC machiningSheet metalStandard cost $$

What is 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered?

60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered is 60Si2Mn heat treated to Hardened & Tempered — final spring condition: maximum elastic limit and relaxation resistance for leaf, coil and disc springs; usually shot-peened afterwards. 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered has a yield strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi). 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 93% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Hardened & Tempered is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 1,600 MPa (232 ksi), better than 98% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 98% of steel grades
  • Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades

60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered properties

Typical room-temperature values for 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered — 15 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 60Si2Mn temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.

Physical3

60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered has a density of 7.75 g/cm³ (0.28 lb/in³), lighter than 93% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).

Density7.75 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,420°C2,588 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,480°C2,696 °F

Mechanical12

60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered has a yield strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus206 GPa29.9 Msi
Shear Modulus79 GPa11.5 Msi
Bulk Modulus165 GPa23.9 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,750 MPa254 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,600 MPa232 ksi
Elongation at Break6%
Reduction in Area22%
Shear Strength1,050 MPa152 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)700 MPa102 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)12 J8.9 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell255 HB

Thermal6

60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 40 W/m·K (23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 64% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity40 W/m·K23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)250°C482 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical2

60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered has an electrical resistivity of 3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11.8 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.6 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in humid air and water; attacked by acids and chlorides. Springs must be shot-peened plus phosphated, painted, zinc-plated or oiled; avoid hydrogen-charging processes (acid pickling, electroplating without bake-out) because of hydrogen embrittlement at high hardness.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 55% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water50 L/kg6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content35%

Manufacturability6

60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (5/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended12/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)15%
WeldabilityNot recommended10/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended5/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair35/100
PolishabilityGood60/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.

Other 60Si2Mn tempers and conditions

60Si2Mn is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 60Si2Mn overview.

Working with 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered

Is 60Si2Mn easy to machine?

Machine only in the annealed (≤302 HBW) state — the high silicon is abrasive, so use rigid setups, coated carbide and moderate speeds; grind after hardening for final size.

Can 60Si2Mn be welded?

Poor: 0.6 %C gives hard, crack-sensitive HAZ — avoid welding on springs; if unavoidable use 200–350 °C preheat, low-hydrogen filler and immediate post-weld temper.

Can 60Si2Mn be formed, bent or molded?

Cold form or coil in the annealed/cold-drawn state with generous bend radii, or hot form at 900–1050 °C; then oil quench 860–880 °C and temper 400–480 °C to the required hardness.

What surface finishes work on 60Si2Mn?

Shot peen springs for fatigue life, then phosphate + paint, powder coat or zinc/e-coat; bake after any electroplating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement — no anodising.

60Si2Mn chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
C0.56 – 0.640.6
Si1.5 – 21.75
Mn0.6 – 0.90.75
Crresidual≤ 0.35
Niresidual≤ 0.35
Curesidual≤ 0.25
P≤0.025 for grade 60Si2MnA≤ 0.04
S≤0.020 for grade 60Si2MnA≤ 0.04
Febalance

60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered — frequently asked

What is 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered used for?

60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered is typically used for automotive leaf springs, helical coil springs, railcar and trailer suspension springs, torsion bars, heavy spring washers and clips and clamp and retaining springs. In short: workhorse spring bar.

What is the yield strength of 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered?

60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered has a typical yield strength of 1,600 MPa (232 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 98% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed (≤302 HBW) state — the high silicon is abrasive, so use rigid setups, coated carbide and moderate speeds; grind after hardening for final size.

Can 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Poor: 0.6 %C gives hard, crack-sensitive HAZ — avoid welding on springs; if unavoidable use 200–350 °C preheat, low-hydrogen filler and immediate post-weld temper.

What surface finishes work on 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered?

Shot peen springs for fatigue life, then phosphate + paint, powder coat or zinc/e-coat; bake after any electroplating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement — no anodising.

Can 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered be formed, bent or molded?

Cold form or coil in the annealed/cold-drawn state with generous bend radii, or hot form at 900–1050 °C; then oil quench 860–880 °C and temper 400–480 °C to the required hardness.

What is the maximum service temperature of 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered?

60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Can FabDigit make parts in 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered?

Yes — 60Si2Mn Hardened & Tempered is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. GB/T 1222 (Spring steels)SAC / (2016)
  2. GB/T 1222 heat-treatment and mechanical property requirementsSAC (2016)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels (AISI 9260)ASM International (1990)
  4. JIS G 4801 SUP7 (spring steel, comparable grade)JSA (2011)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.