Steel 5155 Normalized
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 5155 · UNS G51550
Uniform pearlitic structure for stock removal and pre-hardening machining of larger sections.
Values for the Normalized condition
Other 5155 tempers and conditions
5155 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 5155.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
full anneal ~815 °C, slow cool | Softest condition for machining, cold forming or coiling before hardening. | 410 | 720 | 22 | 205 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest mill condition for parts that will be hot formed and then quenched and tempered. | 530 | 900 | 17 | 25 HRC | 8 % IACS |
NormalizedThis page ~870 °C, air cool | Uniform pearlitic structure for stock removal and pre-hardening machining of larger sections. | 600 | 960 | 18 | 27 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Close-tolerance bright bar and spring wire feedstock; work-hardened, needs stress relief or full hardening. | 760 | 900 | 11 | 27 HRC | 8 % IACS |
oil quenched, tempered ~650 °C | High-toughness, readily machinable temper when spring action is not required. | 820 | 950 | 20 | 30 HRC | — |
oil quenched, tempered ~540 °C | Tougher, lower-strength temper for shafts, torsion bars and shock-loaded machine parts. | 1,090 | 1,210 | 15 | 38 HRC | — |
QT 44-48 HRCDefault oil quenched ~855 °C, tempered ~425 °C (spring temper) | Standard delivered condition for coil, leaf and torsion springs — best balance of fatigue strength and toughness. | 1,420 | 1,600 | 10 | 46 HRC | — |
oil quenched, tempered 205–315 °C | Maximum strength for highly loaded small springs and wear parts; low toughness, notch sensitive. | 1,700 | 1,930 | 8 | 52 HRC | — |
What is 5155 Normalized?
5155 Normalized is 5155 heat treated to Normalized — uniform pearlitic structure for stock removal and pre-hardening machining of larger sections. 5155 Normalized has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 960 MPa (139 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 5155 Normalized has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). QT 44-48 HRC is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Normalized is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
- High strength — 600 MPa (87 ksi), better than 77% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 82% of steel grades
5155 Normalized properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5155 Normalized; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 5155 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
5155 Normalized has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
5155 Normalized has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 960 MPa (139 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
5155 Normalized is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5155 Normalized conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5155 Normalized takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
5155 Normalized's machinability is fair (44/100, worse than 71% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 5155 Normalized
Is 5155 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed or ≤32 HRC tempered condition with carbide tooling and rigid setups; above 45 HRC use grinding, CBN or hard-turning.
Can 5155 be welded?
Poor weldability — 0.55 %C plus Cr gives martensitic HAZ; if unavoidable use low-hydrogen consumables, 250–350 °C preheat and immediate post-weld temper, and never weld a finished spring.
Can 5155 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold coil only from annealed/drawn wire with generous bend radii; hot form at 900–1050 °C, then oil quench from 830–870 °C and temper 380–480 °C for spring properties.
What surface finishes work on 5155?
Shot peen highly stressed springs for fatigue life, then phosphate + oil, powder coat, or zinc plate with a 190–220 °C hydrogen-relief bake to avoid embrittlement.
5155 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 | 0.51 – 0.59 | 0.55 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Cr | 0.7 – 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Pmax, bar/billet | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Smax, bar/billet | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
5155 Normalized — frequently asked
What is 5155 Normalized used for?
5155 Normalized is typically used for coil springs, leaf springs and clutch parts. In short: high-fatigue spring steel; 1600 MPa tempered strength; not weldable as finished spring.
What is the yield strength of 5155 Normalized?
5155 Normalized has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 960 MPa (139 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 5155 Normalized easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (44/100, worse than 71% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed or ≤32 HRC tempered condition with carbide tooling and rigid setups; above 45 HRC use grinding, CBN or hard-turning.
Can 5155 Normalized be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Poor weldability — 0.55 %C plus Cr gives martensitic HAZ; if unavoidable use low-hydrogen consumables, 250–350 °C preheat and immediate post-weld temper, and never weld a finished spring.
What surface finishes work on 5155 Normalized?
Shot peen highly stressed springs for fatigue life, then phosphate + oil, powder coat, or zinc plate with a 190–220 °C hydrogen-relief bake to avoid embrittlement.
Can 5155 Normalized be formed, bent or molded?
Cold coil only from annealed/drawn wire with generous bend radii; hot form at 900–1050 °C, then oil quench from 830–870 °C and temper 380–480 °C for spring properties.
What is the maximum service temperature of 5155 Normalized?
5155 Normalized 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.
What is the difference between 5155 QT 44-48 HRC and 5155-HR?
QT 44-48 HRC is the default condition — standard delivered condition for coil, leaf and torsion springs — best balance of fatigue strength and toughness. HR: cheapest mill condition for parts that will be hot formed and then quenched and tempered. Yield strength is 1,420 MPa in QT 44-48 HRC versus 530 MPa in HR.
Sources
- SAE J404 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Alloy Steels — SAE International (2021)
- ASTM A689 — Carbon and Alloy Steel Bars for Springs — ASTM (2021)
- GB/T 1222 — (55CrMnA) — SAC (2016)
- EN 10089 — Hot rolled steels for quenched and tempered springs (55Cr3) — CEN (2002)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. — Industrial Press (2020)
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.