Steel 60Si2MnA · heat-treated state
Steel 60Si2MnA Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other 60Si2MnA tempers.
The standard specification condition for 60Si2MnA springs; highest strength with acceptable ductility.
What is 60Si2MnA Q&T?
60Si2MnA Q&T is 60Si2MnA heat treated to Q&T — the standard specification condition for 60Si2MnA springs; highest strength with acceptable ductility. 60Si2MnA Q&T has a yield strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi). 60Si2MnA Q&T has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,500 MPa (218 ksi), better than 97% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 7%, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 94% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 230°C (446 °F), worse than 88% of steel grades
60Si2MnA Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for 60Si2MnA Q&T — 17 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 60Si2MnA temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
60Si2MnA Q&T has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical14
60Si2MnA Q&T has a yield strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
Thermal6
60Si2MnA Q&T is rated for continuous service to 230°C (446 °F). It conducts heat at 37 W/m·K (21.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 70% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
60Si2MnA Q&T conducts electricity at 6 % IACS, worse than 79% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 60Si2MnA Q&T takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
60Si2MnA Q&T's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 60Si2MnA tempers and conditions
60Si2MnA is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 60Si2MnA overview.
- AnnealedDefaultPick for machining, cold forming or blanking before the spring is hardened and tempered.550 MPa yield · 260 HB
- Q&TThe standard specification condition for 60Si2MnA springs; highest strength with acceptable ductility.1,500 MPa yield · 48 HRC
- Hardened & TemperedWorking condition of finished leaf/coil springs and spring strip, tempering chosen to hit a target hardness band.1,400 MPa yield · 47 HRC
Working with 60Si2MnA Q&T
Is 60Si2MnA easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed/spheroidized state with carbide tooling and rigid setups; at 45–50 HRC only grinding, EDM or hard turning with CBN is practical.
Can 60Si2MnA be welded?
Essentially not recommended for spring service — high C plus 1.8 % Si makes it crack-sensitive; if unavoidable use low-hydrogen consumables, 250–350 °C preheat and immediate re-hardening or PWHT.
Can 60Si2MnA be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form or blank only when annealed; leaf springs are best formed hot (900–1000 °C) or formed and then austenitized at 860–880 °C, oil quenched and tempered 400–520 °C, watching for surface decarburization and graphitization.
What surface finishes work on 60Si2MnA?
Shot peen springs before coating to recover fatigue life, then phosphate + paint, black oxide, or zinc/zinc-flake coat; no anodizing, and avoid hydrogen-charging acid pickling or electroplating without bake-out.
60Si2MnA 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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.56 – 0.64 | 0.6 |
| Si | 1.6 – 2 | 1.8 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.35 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| PA grade (high-quality) limit | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| SA grade (high-quality) limit | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
60Si2MnA Q&T — frequently asked
What is 60Si2MnA Q&T used for?
60Si2MnA Q&T is typically used for leaf springs, industrial coil springs, spring washers, clamp and retaining rings, torsion bars and suspension and shock-absorber springs. In short: premium spring plate.
What is the yield strength of 60Si2MnA Q&T?
60Si2MnA Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 60Si2MnA Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed/spheroidized state with carbide tooling and rigid setups; at 45–50 HRC only grinding, EDM or hard turning with CBN is practical.
Can 60Si2MnA Q&T be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Essentially not recommended for spring service — high C plus 1.8 % Si makes it crack-sensitive; if unavoidable use low-hydrogen consumables, 250–350 °C preheat and immediate re-hardening or PWHT.
What surface finishes work on 60Si2MnA Q&T?
Shot peen springs before coating to recover fatigue life, then phosphate + paint, black oxide, or zinc/zinc-flake coat; no anodizing, and avoid hydrogen-charging acid pickling or electroplating without bake-out.
Can 60Si2MnA Q&T be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form or blank only when annealed; leaf springs are best formed hot (900–1000 °C) or formed and then austenitized at 860–880 °C, oil quenched and tempered 400–520 °C, watching for surface decarburization and graphitization.
What is the maximum service temperature of 60Si2MnA Q&T?
60Si2MnA Q&T is rated for continuous use to about 230°C (446 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 60Si2MnA Q&T?
Yes — 60Si2MnA Q&T 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
- GB/T 1222 (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (AISI 9260) — ASM International (1990)
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.