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Steel 60CrMo3-1 +A (Annealed)

Heat-treated state

EN 60CrMo3-1

Pick for bar/wire that will be machined, cold formed or coiled before the spring maker's own hardening cycle.

Budget cost $

Values for the +A condition

Other 60CrMo3-1 tempers and conditions

60CrMo3-1 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 60CrMo3-1.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Spheroidize annealed
Choose for heavy cold heading, cold extrusion or deep machining where the lowest hardness and best ductility are required.42070020205 HB44 W/m·K
+AThis page
Annealed
Pick for bar/wire that will be machined, cold formed or coiled before the spring maker's own hardening cycle.46078015230 HB44 W/m·K
Treated for high shearability
Order when bar is to be cold sheared into billets/blanks with clean, burr-free faces before hot forming or hardening.48082013240 HB—
+QTDefault
Quenched and tempered
Standard high-stress spring condition: pick for finished leaf/coil springs, torsion bars and elastic parts needing 1600–1900 MPa and high relaxation resistance.1,5201,750750 HRC40 W/m·K
Restricted (core) hardenability band, hardened-and-low-tempered core…
Specify for thick sections where the customer must guarantee core hardness/strength after through hardening of heavy bars.1,6201,900554 HRC—
Specified hardenability band, supplied/used in the hardened…
Use when a guaranteed Jominy band is required and the part is run at maximum as-quenched hardness (wear faces, low-temper spring blanks).1,7502,150260 HRC—

What is 60CrMo3-1 +A?

60CrMo3-1 +A is 60CrMo3-1 heat treated to +A — pick for bar/wire that will be machined, cold formed or coiled before the spring maker's own hardening cycle. 60CrMo3-1 +A has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi). 60CrMo3-1 +A 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 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; +A is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Low fracture toughness — 38 MPa·√m (34.6 ksi·√in), worse than 93% of steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 84% of steel grades

60CrMo3-1 +A properties

Typical room-temperature values for 60CrMo3-1 +A; 15 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 60CrMo3-1 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

60CrMo3-1 +A 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,420°C2,588 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,480°C2,696 °F

Mechanical16

60CrMo3-1 +A has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus206 GPa29.9 Msi
Shear Modulus79 GPa11.5 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)780 MPa113 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)460 MPa66.7 ksi
Elongation at Break15%
Reduction in Area40%
Compressive Strength1,600 MPa232 ksi
Shear Strength1,050 MPa152 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)350 MPa50.8 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)38 MPa·√m34.6 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)25 J18.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell230 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C50 HRC
Hardness, Vickers240 HV

Thermal6

60CrMo3-1 +A is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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).

Thermal Conductivity44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity465 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)400°C752 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

60CrMo3-1 +A conducts electricity at 7.5 % IACS, worse than 67% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity7.5 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.06 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.6 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended11/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in humid air, water and chlorides; requires oil, phosphate, paint or shot-peen + coating. Very susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement from acid pickling or electroplating at this hardness level.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 60CrMo3-1 +A takes about 31 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)31 MJ/kg13,328 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.3 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability8

60CrMo3-1 +A's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (45/100).

MachinabilityGood55/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)55%
WeldabilityPoor20/100
Formability (cold)Fair45/100
CastabilityPoor25/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityPoor25/100
PolishabilityGood65/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use phosphating, zinc-flake or e-coat instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 60CrMo3-1 +A

Is 60CrMo3-1 easy to machine?

Machine only in +A/+AC condition with rigid setups and coated carbide (Vc ~90–130 m/min); after +QT/+H, grinding or EDM is the practical route.

Can 60CrMo3-1 be welded?

Effectively non-weldable in service condition (CE > 1.0); if unavoidable, preheat 300–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and immediate post-weld temper, then requalify hardness.

Can 60CrMo3-1 be formed, bent or molded?

Cold coil/bend only from the spheroidized or annealed state, or hot form at 900–1050 °C; finished springs must be hardened from ~840–860 °C, oil quenched and tempered 400–500 °C to the target hardness.

What surface finishes work on 60CrMo3-1?

Shot peen (and preferably stress-relieve after peening) to lift fatigue life; protect with phosphate + oil, zinc-flake or powder coat — avoid acid pickling and electroplating above ~1000 MPa without a 190–220 °C hydrogen bake.

60CrMo3-1 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
C0.56 – 0.640.6
Si0.15 – 0.40.25
Mn0.7 – 10.85
Cr0.7 – 10.85
Moclass -1 has the lowest Mo of the 60CrMo3-x family; -2/-3 step Mo upward0.15 – 0.250.2
P≤ 0.03—
S≤ 0.03—
Febalance—

60CrMo3-1 +A — frequently asked

What is 60CrMo3-1 +A used for?

60CrMo3-1 +A is typically used for leaf springs, coil springs, torsion bars and clutch springs. In short: high-stress spring steel; 1750 MPa in +QT; form soft, harden after.

What is the yield strength of 60CrMo3-1 +A?

60CrMo3-1 +A has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is 60CrMo3-1 +A easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machine only in +A/+AC condition with rigid setups and coated carbide (Vc ~90–130 m/min); after +QT/+H, grinding or EDM is the practical route.

Can 60CrMo3-1 +A be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Effectively non-weldable in service condition (CE > 1.0); if unavoidable, preheat 300–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and immediate post-weld temper, then requalify hardness.

What surface finishes work on 60CrMo3-1 +A?

Shot peen (and preferably stress-relieve after peening) to lift fatigue life; protect with phosphate + oil, zinc-flake or powder coat — avoid acid pickling and electroplating above ~1000 MPa without a 190–220 °C hydrogen bake.

Can 60CrMo3-1 +A be formed, bent or molded?

Cold coil/bend only from the spheroidized or annealed state, or hot form at 900–1050 °C; finished springs must be hardened from ~840–860 °C, oil quenched and tempered 400–500 °C to the target hardness.

What is the maximum service temperature of 60CrMo3-1 +A?

60CrMo3-1 +A 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.

Sources

  1. EN 10089 — Hot rolled steels for quenched and tempered springs — CEN (2002)
  2. EN 10083-1 — Steels for quenching and tempering: general technical delivery conditions (delivery states +A, +AC, +S, +QT, +H) — CEN (2006)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture (spring steels) — ASM International (1996)
  5. EN 13906-1 — Cylindrical helical springs, design and calculation — CEN (2013)
  6. Spring steel bar and strip grade data (Cr-Mo spring steels) — European long-products mills (2023)

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.