Steel 60Cr3
EN 60Cr3
60Cr3 (1.7177, equivalent to AISI 5160) is a high-carbon chromium spring steel; quenched and tempered it reaches about 1300 MPa yield, 1450 MPa tensile, 9 % elongation and 415 HB (44 HRC).
Reference datasheet — 60Cr3 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the +QT condition
60Cr3 tempers and conditions
60Cr3 is supplied in 10 conditions, soft to hard. +QT is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Softest supply condition — choose for cold heading, cold extrusion or heavy cold forming of high-carbon bar and wire. | 410 | 690 | 21 | 183 HB | 46 W/m·K |
Treated for high shearability | Bar delivered soft with a controlled structure so blanks can be cold-sheared without cracking before forging or heading. | 420 | 700 | 19 | 10 HRC | 8.5 % IACS |
Annealed | Pick for machining, cold forming or deep drilling of bar before the final harden-and-temper cycle. | 440 | 730 | 17 | 197 HB | 46 W/m·K |
Supplied to a specified hardenability band | Order this when the hardened depth after your own quench must be guaranteed; the bar itself is shipped soft (annealed or hot rolled) with a certified Jominy curve. | 470 | 780 | 16 | 62 HRC | 8.5 % IACS |
Restricted (core) hardenability band | Narrowed hardenability scatter band for parts where core hardness after quenching must be reproducible batch-to-batch (heavy leaf springs, torsion bars). | 470 | 780 | 16 | 17 HRC | 9 % IACS |
Normalized | Grain refinement and structure homogenisation after forging, used as an intermediate condition before machining and final hardening. | 560 | 950 | 14 | 26 HRC | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest stock form for leaf-spring flats and forging blanks; hardness is variable and it is normally annealed or heat treated before use. | 570 | 980 | 12 | 28 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Close-tolerance bright bar for machined blanks; residual cold-work raises strength but must be relieved or fully heat treated before spring service. | 660 | 850 | 10 | 22 HRC | 8 % IACS |
+QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard service condition for springs, torsion bars and heavy-duty elastic parts: oil quench + 400–500 °C temper for maximum elastic limit and fatigue life. | 1,300 | 1,450 | 9 | 44 HRC | 44 W/m·K |
Q&T 48–52 HRC | Higher-hardness variant (temper ≈ 300–380 °C) for blades, wear plates and small high-stress springs where strength matters more than toughness. | 1,550 | 1,750 | 6 | 50 HRC | — |
What is 60Cr3?
60Cr3 (1.7177, equivalent to AISI 5160) is a high-carbon chromium spring steel; quenched and tempered it reaches about 1300 MPa yield, 1450 MPa tensile, 9 % elongation and 415 HB (44 HRC). It is chosen for heavy-duty springs where a high elastic limit and fatigue strength matter, and is supplied as flat bar, round bar and rod in +A/+AC or +N for forming before heat treatment. Limits are poor weldability (score 15), very low formability once hardened (score 8), roughly 250 °C maximum service temperature and no corrosion resistance; thermal conductivity is 44 W/m·K. 51CrV4 is the usual alternative when more toughness in thick sections is required. 60Cr3 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). 60Cr3 has a yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is 60Cr3 used for?
- Coil springs
- Leaf springs
- Torsion bars
- Clutch springs
Advantages
- High strength — 1,300 MPa (189 ksi), better than 95% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 9%, worse than 93% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 30/100, worse than 89% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 50 MPa·√m (45.5 ksi·√in), worse than 86% of steel grades
60Cr3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 60Cr3-+QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
60Cr3 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).
Mechanical16
60Cr3 has a yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
60Cr3 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 44 W/m·K (25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
60Cr3 conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 60Cr3 takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
60Cr3's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 89% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
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. 60Cr3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 60Cr3
Is 60Cr3 easy to machine?
Machine in +A/+AC condition (≈55–60% of 1212) with rigid setups and carbide tooling; after Q&T above ~45 HRC use grinding, hard turning with CBN or EDM.
Can 60Cr3 be welded?
Poor weldability (CE ≈ 0.9–1.0): if unavoidable, preheat 300–400 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and temper immediately; welded joints lose spring properties.
Can 60Cr3 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–1150 °C then slow cool/anneal; cold coil or bend only in +AC/+A condition, then austenitize ~840 °C, oil quench and temper 400–500 °C, allowing for decarburization removal.
60Cr3 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 | 0.55 – 0.65 | 0.6 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Crmain hardenability addition | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 60Cr3?
Shot peen springs after tempering for fatigue life, then phosphate + oil, zinc-rich paint or powder coat; avoid acid pickling and electroplating without hydrogen bake-out at these hardness levels.
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 60Cr3 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.7177
- Similar grades
- 5160
How much does 60Cr3 cost?
60Cr3 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
60Cr3 — frequently asked
What is 60Cr3 used for?
60Cr3 is typically used for coil springs, leaf springs, torsion bars and clutch springs. In short: classic 5160 spring steel; high elastic limit; poor weldability.
What is the yield strength of 60Cr3?
60Cr3 has a typical yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) — stronger than 95% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 60Cr3 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 89% of steel grades). Machine in +A/+AC condition (≈55–60% of 1212) with rigid setups and carbide tooling; after Q&T above ~45 HRC use grinding, hard turning with CBN or EDM.
Can 60Cr3 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Poor weldability (CE ≈ 0.9–1.0): if unavoidable, preheat 300–400 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and temper immediately; welded joints lose spring properties.
What surface finishes work on 60Cr3?
Shot peen springs after tempering for fatigue life, then phosphate + oil, zinc-rich paint or powder coat; avoid acid pickling and electroplating without hydrogen bake-out at these hardness levels.
Can 60Cr3 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–1150 °C then slow cool/anneal; cold coil or bend only in +AC/+A condition, then austenitize ~840 °C, oil quench and temper 400–500 °C, allowing for decarburization removal.
What is the maximum service temperature of 60Cr3?
60Cr3 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 60Cr3 cost?
60Cr3 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
Sources
- EN 10089 — Hot rolled steels for quenched and tempered springs — CEN (2002)
- EN 10083-3 — Steels for quenching and tempering, alloy steels — CEN (2006)
- SAE J404 / ASTM A689 (5160 spring steel bar) — SAE / ASTM (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. — Industrial Press (2020)
- GB/T 1222 — 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.