Stainless Steel 154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC
Hardness band
AISI/SAE 154CM
Q&T 58-60 HRC = hardened & tempered to 58–60 HRC
The mainstream heat treat for production folders and fixed blades — best balance of edge holding, toughness and stain resistance.
Values for the Q&T 58-60 HRC condition
Other 154CM tempers and conditions
154CM is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 154CM.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault mill-annealed (spheroidized) bar, plate and sheet | Standard as-supplied stock condition for blanking, machining and grinding before hardening. | 450 | 760 | 13 | 235 HB | — |
730–760 °C, softening after machining or forging | Use to re-soften cold-worked or forged stock without full spheroidizing cycle. | 500 | 820 | 11 | 25 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
Hardened & tempered to 55–57 HRC | Choose for choppers, tools and parts where impact toughness matters more than peak edge life. | 1,700 | 1,900 | 2 | 56 HRC | — |
Q&T 58-60 HRCThis page Hardened & tempered to 58–60 HRC | The mainstream heat treat for production folders and fixed blades — best balance of edge holding, toughness and stain resistance. | 1,850 | 2,050 | 1.5 | 59 HRC | — |
Austenitize + deep cryogenic (−196 °C) + double temper, 59–61 HRC | Best-practice knife heat treat: near-zero retained austenite for dimensional stability, slightly higher hardness and improved corrosion behaviour. | 1,900 | 2,150 | 1.2 | 60 HRC | — |
Hardened & tempered to 60–62 HRC | Pick for slicing-focused blades and wear parts where maximum hardness outweighs chipping risk. | 1,950 | 2,200 | 1 | 61 HRC | — |
What is 154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC?
154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC is 154CM heat treated to Q&T 58-60 HRC — the mainstream heat treat for production folders and fixed blades — best balance of edge holding, toughness and stain resistance. 154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC has a yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 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 204 GPa (29.6 Msi). 154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T 58-60 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,850 MPa (268 ksi), better than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 97% 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
- Difficult to machine — 5/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 22/100, worse than 82% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for 154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 154CM reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical13
154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC has a yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 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 204 GPa (29.6 Msi).
Thermal6
154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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 10.2 µm/m·K (5.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), worse than 62% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 4.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability poor (22/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC
Is 154CM easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, sharp carbide or coated carbide at low-to-moderate speed and generous feed; after hardening, finish by grinding/EDM only.
Can 154CM be welded?
Essentially non-weldable in service parts — high carbon promotes martensite cracking; if unavoidable, preheat 250–300 °C, use matching or 309-type filler and temper immediately.
Can 154CM be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–1150 °C with slow cooling and immediate anneal; cold forming limited to gentle bends in thin annealed sheet.
What surface finishes work on 154CM?
Hand or belt polish easily to mirror when hardened; passivate in nitric or citric acid after grinding, and PVD/DLC or bead-blast finishes work well below the tempering temperature.
154CM 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 | 0.95 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| Cr | 13.5 – 14.5 | 14 |
| Mokey difference vs 440C | 3.75 – 4.25 | 4 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC — frequently asked
What is 154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC used for?
154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC is typically used for premium knife blades, high-performance kitchen cutlery, folding pocket knife blades, hunting and outdoor fixed blades, wear-resistant cutting edges and custom blade blanks for grinding. In short: US 440C-class blade steel; hardens to 62 HRC; edge retention over toughness.
What is the yield strength of 154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC?
154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 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 154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, sharp carbide or coated carbide at low-to-moderate speed and generous feed; after hardening, finish by grinding/EDM only.
Can 154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Essentially non-weldable in service parts — high carbon promotes martensite cracking; if unavoidable, preheat 250–300 °C, use matching or 309-type filler and temper immediately.
What surface finishes work on 154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC?
Hand or belt polish easily to mirror when hardened; passivate in nitric or citric acid after grinding, and PVD/DLC or bead-blast finishes work well below the tempering temperature.
Can 154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–1150 °C with slow cooling and immediate anneal; cold forming limited to gentle bends in thin annealed sheet.
What is the maximum service temperature of 154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC?
154CM Q&T 58-60 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- 154CM / CPM 154 martensitic stainless data sheet — Crucible Industries (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (440C, high-C martensitic SS) — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM A276 / A756 — Stainless steel bars and shapes — ASTM International (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.