Stainless Steel X65Cr14 QT60SC
Heat-treated state
EN X65Cr14
QT60SC = hardened + sub-zero + temper
Deep-freeze treatment converts retained austenite for maximum hardness and dimensional stability in precision bearings and gauges.
Values for the QT60SC condition
Other X65Cr14 tempers and conditions
X65Cr14 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at X65Cr14.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Stock delivery condition for machining, forming and blank preparation before hardening. | 450 | 760 | 18 | 235 HB | — |
cold drawn from annealed condition (bright bar/wire) | Choose for close-tolerance bright bar or wire feedstock for automatic machining and cold heading of blanks. | 720 | 900 | 10 | 29 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
Q&T 44–48 HRC | Pick when moderate hardness with better toughness is wanted, e.g. valve parts, shafts and non-bearing wear components. | 1,250 | 1,500 | 6 | 46 HRC | — |
Q&T 54–56 HRC | Balanced bearing/knife condition — good hardness with somewhat better toughness and corrosion resistance than 58+ HRC. | 1,600 | 1,900 | 2.5 | 55 HRC | — |
Q&T 57–59 HRC | The normal delivery hardness for rings and rolling elements per ISO 683-17; maximum wear life at acceptable toughness. | 1,750 | 2,050 | 1.5 | 58 HRC | — |
QT60SCThis page Hardened + sub-zero + temper | Deep-freeze treatment converts retained austenite for maximum hardness and dimensional stability in precision bearings and gauges. | 1,850 | 2,150 | 1 | 60 HRC | — |
What is X65Cr14 QT60SC?
X65Cr14 QT60SC is X65Cr14 heat treated to QT60SC — deep-freeze treatment converts retained austenite for maximum hardness and dimensional stability in precision bearings and gauges. X65Cr14 QT60SC has a yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,150 MPa (312 ksi) — stronger than 100% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi). X65Cr14 QT60SC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). A is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT60SC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,850 MPa (268 ksi), better than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 77% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1%, 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 — 20/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
X65Cr14 QT60SC properties
Typical room-temperature values for X65Cr14 QT60SC; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are X65Cr14 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
X65Cr14 QT60SC has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
X65Cr14 QT60SC has a yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,150 MPa (312 ksi) — stronger than 100% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal6
X65Cr14 QT60SC is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.5 µm/m·K (5.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
X65Cr14 QT60SC conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (50/100), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of X65Cr14 QT60SC takes about 52 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 76% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability8
X65Cr14 QT60SC's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with X65Cr14 QT60SC
Is X65Cr14 easy to machine?
Machine only in the spheroidise-annealed condition with rigid setups, sharp carbide or coated tooling and generous coolant; after hardening use grinding, honing or EDM.
Can X65Cr14 be welded?
Effectively non-weldable for structural joints — high carbon causes hard, crack-prone martensite; if unavoidable, preheat 250–350 °C, use matching or austenitic filler and temper immediately.
Can X65Cr14 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming is limited to gentle bends of annealed strip; hot work at 1050–850 °C followed by slow cooling and a full spheroidise anneal.
What surface finishes work on X65Cr14?
Harden, then grind/polish and passivate in nitric or citric acid (ASTM A967) for full corrosion resistance; PVD/DLC or hard chrome are used where extra wear resistance is needed.
X65Cr14 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chigh carbon gives 58+ HRC and Cr-carbide wear resistance | 0.6 – 0.7 | 0.65 |
| Si | ≤ 0.7 | 0.35 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Smax; bearing quality usually ≤0.015 | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Crprovides passivity plus carbide formation | 12.5 – 14.5 | 13.5 |
| Mooptional residual/addition | ≤ 0.75 | — |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
X65Cr14 QT60SC — frequently asked
What is X65Cr14 QT60SC used for?
X65Cr14 QT60SC is typically used for stainless bearings, bushings and wear-resistant components. In short: harder than 1.3541; bearing-grade 14 % Cr stainless; not for welded joints.
What is the yield strength of X65Cr14 QT60SC?
X65Cr14 QT60SC has a typical yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,150 MPa (312 ksi) — stronger than 100% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is X65Cr14 QT60SC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades). Machine only in the spheroidise-annealed condition with rigid setups, sharp carbide or coated tooling and generous coolant; after hardening use grinding, honing or EDM.
Can X65Cr14 QT60SC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Effectively non-weldable for structural joints — high carbon causes hard, crack-prone martensite; if unavoidable, preheat 250–350 °C, use matching or austenitic filler and temper immediately.
What surface finishes work on X65Cr14 QT60SC?
Harden, then grind/polish and passivate in nitric or citric acid (ASTM A967) for full corrosion resistance; PVD/DLC or hard chrome are used where extra wear resistance is needed.
Can X65Cr14 QT60SC be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming is limited to gentle bends of annealed strip; hot work at 1050–850 °C followed by slow cooling and a full spheroidise anneal.
What is the maximum service temperature of X65Cr14 QT60SC?
X65Cr14 QT60SC 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.
What is the difference between X65Cr14-A and X65Cr14 QT60SC?
A is the default condition — stock delivery condition for machining, forming and blank preparation before hardening. QT60SC: deep-freeze treatment converts retained austenite for maximum hardness and dimensional stability in precision bearings and gauges. Yield strength is 450 MPa in A versus 1,850 MPa in QT60SC.
Sources
- ISO 683-17 Heat-treatable steels — Ball and roller bearing steels — ISO (2014)
- DIN 17230 / EN 10088-3 (martensitic stainless bar) — DIN / CEN (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
- Corrosion-resistant bearing steel datasheets (Ovako, Zapp, Aubert & Duval) — various (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.