Steel 5160
AISI/SAE 5160 · UNS G51600 · EN 55Cr3, 1.7176
5160 is a medium-high-carbon chromium alloy spring steel (≈0.60 C, 0.8 Cr) with excellent hardenability, toughness and fatigue resistance after oil quenching and tempering.
Values for the Annealed condition
5160 tempers and conditions
5160 is supplied in 11 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
- Annealed
- Spheroidize Annealed
- Normalized
- Hot Rolled
- Cold Drawn
- Q&T 650C
- Q&T
- Q&T 425C
- Oil Quenched
- Q&T 315C
- Q&T 205C
Compare all 11 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault full anneal ~815 °C, slow cool | Softest condition for machining, bending and forming before hardening; most commonly stocked bar/flat condition. | 275 | 725 | 17 | 197 HB | — |
subcritical, spheroidal carbides | Choose for maximum cold formability/upsetting and best tool life when machining before hardening. | 340 | 660 | 22 | 183 HB | 7.8 % IACS |
855 °C, air cool | Uniform fine pearlitic structure; used to refine grain and homogenize forgings before final hardening. | 530 | 957 | 17.5 | 27 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
as-rolled bar / flat / coil | Lowest-cost mill condition for parts that will be heat treated after machining or forming. | 550 | 900 | 14 | 25 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
cold-finished annealed bar | Pick for close size tolerance and straight, bright bar for machined parts prior to hardening. | 700 | 860 | 10 | 24 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
high temper (≈30 HRC) | Softest tempered condition — maximum ductility/toughness where moderate strength is sufficient. | 895 | 1,005 | 20 | 31 HRC | 7.6 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | General-purpose high-toughness structural condition for shafts, links and heavy-duty machined parts. | 1,160 | 1,310 | 12 | 42 HRC | — |
medium temper (≈50 HRC) | Balanced strength/toughness level often used for heavy springs, torsion bars and impact tools. | 1,640 | 1,790 | 9 | 50 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Oil Quenched (as-quenched, untempered martensite) | Intermediate process condition only — must be tempered promptly; brittle and crack-prone as quenched. | 1,750 | 2,200 | 1 | 63 HRC | 6.6 % IACS |
medium-low temper (≈53–55 HRC) | High strength with slightly improved toughness over a 205 °C temper; typical for knives and cutting edges. | 1,770 | 2,000 | 6 | 54 HRC | 6.8 % IACS |
oil quenched, low temper (≈58–60 HRC) | Maximum hardness/wear resistance for blades and wear parts; low toughness, use only in thin sections. | 1,790 | 2,220 | 4 | 58 HRC | — |
What is 5160?
5160 is a medium-high-carbon chromium alloy spring steel (≈0.60 C, 0.8 Cr) with excellent hardenability, toughness and fatigue resistance after oil quenching and tempering. It is the classic leaf- and coil-spring steel and is also popular for knives, agricultural blades and heavy-duty machined parts needing 40–55 HRC. Limits are essentially zero corrosion resistance, poor weldability (crack-sensitive, needs pre/post heat) and decarburization/quench-crack sensitivity in heavy sections. 5160 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). 5160 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 725 MPa (105 ksi) — weaker than 91% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is 5160 used for?
- Leaf springs
- Suspension components
- Blades
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 275 MPa (39.9 ksi), worse than 91% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
5160 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 5160-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
5160 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical13
5160 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 725 MPa (105 ksi) — weaker than 91% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
5160 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 46 W/m·K (26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
5160 conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 5160 takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
5160's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (45/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 5160 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 5160
Is 5160 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed/spheroidized state (~200 HB) with rigid setups and carbide tooling; above ~40 HRC expect grinding or hard-turning with CBN.
Can 5160 be welded?
Poor weldability due to high carbon equivalent — preheat 250–350 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and temper immediately after welding; avoid welding on finished springs.
Can 5160 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1150–1200 °C and cool slowly; cold bend only when annealed, then oil quench 830–860 °C and temper 400–540 °C for spring properties (shot peen for fatigue).
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 5160. Every 5160 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Good55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.4 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 160 / 190 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 4.5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair45 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair25 / 100 |
5160 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 |
| Mn | 0.75 – 1 | 0.88 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Cr | 0.7 – 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Pmax, SAE bar practice | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Smax, SAE bar practice | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 5160?
Not anodizable; protect with phosphate + oil, black oxide, paint or zinc/nickel plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement at high hardness); polishes well when hardened.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 5160 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 5160 cost?
5160 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), cheaper than about 62% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
5160 — frequently asked
What is 5160 used for?
5160 is typically used for leaf springs, suspension components and blades. In short: spring-tempered toughness.
What is the yield strength of 5160?
5160 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 725 MPa (105 ksi) — weaker than 91% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.
Is 5160 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed/spheroidized state (~200 HB) with rigid setups and carbide tooling; above ~40 HRC expect grinding or hard-turning with CBN.
Can 5160 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor weldability due to high carbon equivalent — preheat 250–350 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and temper immediately after welding; avoid welding on finished springs.
What surface finishes work on 5160?
Not anodizable; protect with phosphate + oil, black oxide, paint or zinc/nickel plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement at high hardness); polishes well when hardened.
Can 5160 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1150–1200 °C and cool slowly; cold bend only when annealed, then oil quench 830–860 °C and temper 400–540 °C for spring properties (shot peen for fatigue).
What is the maximum service temperature of 5160?
5160 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 5160 cost?
5160 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), cheaper than about 62% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 5160?
Yes — 5160 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- SAE J404 / J1249 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Alloy Steels — SAE International (2021)
- ASTM A689 — Carbon and Alloy Steel Bars for Springs — ASTM (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating — ASM International (1991)
- GB/T 1222 — (55CrMnA equivalent) — SAC (2016)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.