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Stainless Steel 1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC

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EN 1.3549

QT+DF 60-62 HRC = hardened + deep-freeze (−80 °C) + tempered 150–180 °C

Bearing-quality route with sub-zero treatment to remove retained austenite — best dimensional stability and rolling-contact fatigue life.

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Values for the QT+DF 60-62 HRC condition

Other 1.3549 tempers and conditions

1.3549 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 1.3549.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
ADefault
Solution annealed
Standard as-delivered bar/tube condition for machining bearing rings and blanks before hardening.4507601323 HRC—
Cold drawn
Pick for close-tolerance ground bar stock going straight into turning of small bearing/valve parts.620880928 HRC2.9 % IACS
Hardened + secondary-hardening temper 500–520 °C
Use for elevated-temperature bearings/tooling (up to ~400 °C) or when nitriding/PVD coating follows; corrosion resistance is reduced.1,7001,8502.556 HRC—
Hardened 1020–1060 °C + tempered ~250 °C
Choose when slightly higher toughness/impact tolerance is worth a few points of hardness (valve parts, knife blades, shafts).1,7501,900357 HRC—
Hardened 1030–1060 °C, oil/gas quenched + tempered 150–180 °C
Standard corrosion-resistant rolling-bearing condition: maximum hardness with best pitting resistance.1,9002,000260 HRC—
QT+DF 60-62 HRCThis page
Hardened + deep-freeze (−80 °C) + tempered 150–180 °C
Bearing-quality route with sub-zero treatment to remove retained austenite — best dimensional stability and rolling-contact fatigue life.1,9502,0501.561 HRC—

What is 1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC?

1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC is 1.3549 in the QT+DF 60-62 HRC condition — bearing-quality route with sub-zero treatment to remove retained austenite — best dimensional stability and rolling-contact fatigue life. 1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC has a yield strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) — stronger than 100% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi). 1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F). A is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT+DF 60-62 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 1,950 MPa (283 ksi), better than 100% of stainless steel grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 92/100, better than 100% of stainless steel grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
  • Conducts heat well — 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of stainless steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 1.5%, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 17 MPa·√m (15.5 ksi·√in), worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
  • Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
  • Difficult to machine — 4/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades

1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC properties

Typical room-temperature values for 1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC; 15 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1.3549 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.

Physical3

1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F).

Density7.7 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,370°C2,498 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,420°C2,588 °F

Mechanical17

1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC has a yield strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) — stronger than 100% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 1.5% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus215 GPa31.2 Msi
Shear Modulus78 GPa11.3 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.28
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)2,050 MPa297 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,950 MPa283 ksi
Elongation at Break1.5%
Reduction in Area35%
Compressive Strength2,400 MPa348 ksi
Shear Strength1,300 MPa189 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)800 MPa116 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)17 MPa·√m15.5 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)5 J3.7 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell245 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B99 HRB
Hardness, Rockwell C61 HRC
Hardness, Vickers750 HV

Thermal6

1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity24 W/m·K13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)10.4 µm/m·K5.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)150°C302 °F
Min Service Temperature-70°C-94 °F

Electrical3

1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity2.9 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m23.6 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is good (60/100), worse than 58% of stainless steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.3 V
Corrosion ResistanceGood60/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryPassive in fresh water, humid air, mild organic acids, alcohols, fuels and food media when hardened and passivated; attacked by chlorides (pitting/crevice), seawater, reducing acids (HCl, H2SO4) and strong caustics. Corrosion resistance is best in the hardened+low-temper state and drops markedly when annealed or tempered above ~400 °C (Cr-carbide precipitation).

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 4.7 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)53 MJ/kg22,786 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)4.7 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water130 L/kg15.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content40%

Manufacturability7

1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability poor (20/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended4/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)40%
WeldabilityNot recommended10/100
Formability (cold)Poor20/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair40/100
PolishabilityExcellent92/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — steel is not anodizable; use passivation (ASTM A967/QQ-P-35) or thin dense chrome for surface protection

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC

Is 1.3549 easy to machine?

Machine only in the soft-annealed state with sharp, rigid, positive-rake carbide or CBN tooling at low speed and generous coolant; hardened parts must be ground, hard-turned with CBN, or EDM'd.

Can 1.3549 be welded?

Essentially non-weldable for structural joints — high carbon causes hard, crack-prone martensite; if unavoidable, preheat 250–300 °C, use matching or austenitic filler and temper immediately after.

Can 1.3549 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1050–1150 °C with slow cooling and immediate spheroidize anneal (~850–870 °C, slow cool); cold forming limited to light straightening — no deep drawing or sharp bends.

What surface finishes work on 1.3549?

Passivate in nitric or citric acid after hardening (ASTM A967) to restore the chromium oxide film; takes a mirror polish at 58–62 HRC and accepts hard chrome, TiN/DLC PVD (deposit below the tempering temperature).

1.3549 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
C0.85 – 0.950.9
Si≤ 0.70.4
Mn≤ 10.5
Pbearing quality often ≤0.025≤ 0.03—
Slow-S for rolling-contact fatigue≤ 0.02—
Cr17 – 1918
Mo0.9 – 1.31.1
Vgrain refinement, fine carbides0.07 – 0.120.1
Niresidual≤ 0.5—
Febalance—

1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC — frequently asked

What is 1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC used for?

1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC is typically used for precision bearings, valve balls, corrosion-resistant rolling elements and aerospace bearings. In short: bearing-grade 440C; hardens to 62 HRC; highest hardness stainless.

What is the yield strength of 1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC?

1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) — stronger than 100% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is 1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades). Machine only in the soft-annealed state with sharp, rigid, positive-rake carbide or CBN tooling at low speed and generous coolant; hardened parts must be ground, hard-turned with CBN, or EDM'd.

Can 1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Essentially non-weldable for structural joints — high carbon causes hard, crack-prone martensite; if unavoidable, preheat 250–300 °C, use matching or austenitic filler and temper immediately after.

What surface finishes work on 1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC?

Passivate in nitric or citric acid after hardening (ASTM A967) to restore the chromium oxide film; takes a mirror polish at 58–62 HRC and accepts hard chrome, TiN/DLC PVD (deposit below the tempering temperature).

Can 1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1050–1150 °C with slow cooling and immediate spheroidize anneal (~850–870 °C, slow cool); cold forming limited to light straightening — no deep drawing or sharp bends.

What is the maximum service temperature of 1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC?

1.3549 QT+DF 60-62 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. EN ISO 683-17 — Heat-treatable steels, alloy steels: ball and roller bearing steels — ISO/CEN (2014)
  2. EN 10088-3 — Stainless steels: semi-finished products, bars, rods (martensitic grades) — CEN (2014)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (440C martensitic stainless) — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials (martensitic stainless steels) — ASM International (2005)
  5. High-carbon Cr-Mo-V corrosion-resistant bearing steel bar datasheets (X89CrMoV18-1 / X90CrMoV18 class) — European special-steel producers (2022)

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.