Steel 60#
GB 60#
60# is a Chinese GB/T 699 high-carbon quality structural steel (≈0.60 % C, plain Mn–Si) supplied as bar, rod, plate and cold-rolled strip.
Values for the Annealed condition
60# tempers and conditions
60# is supplied in 10 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
- Annealed
- HR
- Normalized
- CD
- Induction Hardened
- Q&T 28-32 HRC
- CR Spring Hard
- Q&T 35-40 HRC
- Q&T 45-50 HRC
- Hardened
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault full/spheroidize annealed bar or strip | Softest condition for machining, deep drawing of strip or before hardening. | 380 | 660 | 22 | 190 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest mill condition for parts that will be re-heat-treated or lightly loaded. | 420 | 750 | 17 | 235 HB | — |
800–840 °C, air cooled (GB/T 699 test condition) | Standard GB/T 699 property basis; uniform fine pearlite for general engineering parts. | 430 | 730 | 17 | 241 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Higher yield and good surface/tolerance for shafts and pins without heat treatment. | 660 | 830 | 9 | 24 HRC | — |
Induction/flame hardened surface, core normalized or Q&T | Pick for shafts, rolls and rails needing a 55–62 HRC wear skin over a tough core. | 700 | 950 | 12 | 58 HRC | 9 % IACS |
Quenched and high-temper | Toughest hardened condition — shafts, cams and general machine parts needing strength plus ductility. | 750 | 950 | 15 | 30 HRC | — |
hard-rolled strip | Heavily cold-rolled thin strip used as-supplied for flat springs, shims and clips. | 950 | 1,100 | 3 | 38 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
Quenched and medium-temper | Balanced strength/wear level for rolls, gears in light service and heavy springs. | 1,000 | 1,200 | 11 | 38 HRC | — |
Quenched and low-temper | Spring / wear condition: high elastic limit and abrasion resistance, limited toughness. | 1,350 | 1,550 | 7 | 47 HRC | — |
quenched (water/oil, 800–820 °C) + stress relief only | Maximum hardness for wear surfaces, blanking dies and knife-type parts; very brittle. | 1,700 | 2,100 | 1 | 61 HRC | 8 % IACS |
What is 60#?
60# is a Chinese GB/T 699 high-carbon quality structural steel (≈0.60 % C, plain Mn–Si) supplied as bar, rod, plate and cold-rolled strip. It is chosen when a low-cost, water- or oil-hardenable steel with high strength, good wear resistance and moderate spring characteristics is needed — flat springs, washers, rolls, cams, wear plates and light-duty shafts. Its limits are poor weldability (cold-crack sensitive), shallow hardenability (only thin sections through-harden), essentially no corrosion resistance, and low toughness once hardened above ~40 HRC. 60# 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). 60# has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 60# used for?
- Flat and coil springs
- Saw blades
- Spring washers and retaining clips
- Cams and wear plates
- Rolls and rollers
- Light-duty shafts and pins
- Induction-hardened wear surfaces
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
60# properties
Typical room-temperature values for 60#-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
60# 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).
Mechanical13
60# has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
60# is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
60# conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 60# takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
60#'s machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); 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. 60# is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 60#
Is 60# easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed or spheroidized condition with carbide tooling and firm feeds; above ~35 HRC switch to grinding or CBN.
Can 60# be welded?
Poor weldability (CE ≈ 0.75): preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and immediate post-weld temper, otherwise underbead cracking is likely.
Can 60# be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form only thin annealed strip with generous radii; hot forge 1150–850 °C then slow-cool or normalize to avoid a hard as-forged pearlitic skin.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 60#. Every 60# part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair45 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Poor20 / 100 |
60# 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CGB/T 699 | 0.57 – 0.65 | 0.61 |
| Si | 0.17 – 0.37 | 0.27 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Crresidual, max | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Niresidual, max | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Curesidual, max | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 60#?
No corrosion resistance — specify oil, phosphate + oil, black oxide, zinc or nickel plating; bake after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement in hardened parts.
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
How much does 60# cost?
60# is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 80% 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.
60# — frequently asked
What is 60# used for?
60# is typically used for flat and coil springs, saw blades, spring washers and retaining clips, cams and wear plates, rolls and rollers and light-duty shafts and pins. In short: high-carbon spring bar.
What is the yield strength of 60#?
60# has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 60# easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed or spheroidized condition with carbide tooling and firm feeds; above ~35 HRC switch to grinding or CBN.
Can 60# be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Poor weldability (CE ≈ 0.75): preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and immediate post-weld temper, otherwise underbead cracking is likely.
What surface finishes work on 60#?
No corrosion resistance — specify oil, phosphate + oil, black oxide, zinc or nickel plating; bake after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement in hardened parts.
Can 60# be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form only thin annealed strip with generous radii; hot forge 1150–850 °C then slow-cool or normalize to avoid a hard as-forged pearlitic skin.
What is the maximum service temperature of 60#?
60# 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.
What is the difference between 60# Annealed and 60#-CD?
Annealed is the default condition — softest condition for machining, deep drawing of strip or before hardening. CD: higher yield and good surface/tolerance for shafts and pins without heat treatment. Yield strength is 380 MPa in Annealed versus 660 MPa in CD.
How much does 60# cost?
60# is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 80% 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 60#?
Yes — 60# 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
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating — ASM International (1991)
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.