Steel 60CrMo3-3
EN 60CrMo3-3
60CrMo3-3 is a high-carbon chromium-molybdenum spring steel (1.7241) in the EN 10083/10250 alloy steel family, the third defined condition of the 60CrMo3 group used for demanding elastic and spring components.
Reference datasheet — 60CrMo3-3 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
60CrMo3-3 tempers and conditions
60CrMo3-3 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. +QT is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Choose for cold heading, deep drawing or heavy cold forming of this high-carbon grade before final hardening. | 410 | 690 | 20 | 205 HB | — |
Treated for improved shearability | Order when bar or coil must be cold sheared/cropped into blanks without cracking; hardness capped for clean cut faces. | 420 | 700 | 18 | 16 HRC | 8.5 % IACS |
Annealed | Pick for bar/wire that must be machined, cold-formed or coiled before hardening; lowest hardness delivery condition. | 450 | 750 | 16 | 230 HB | — |
Supplied with specified hardenability band | Order code for guaranteed Jominy hardenability scatter band on thick sections; mechanical properties as delivered are those of the accompanying soft condition. | 450 | 760 | 15 | 58 HRC | 8.2 % IACS |
Restricted (core) hardenability band, narrow Jominy scatter | Tighter hardenability window than +H for parts where core hardness after quenching of heavy sections must be reproducible batch to batch. | 450 | 760 | 15 | 57 HRC | 8 % IACS |
+QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard service condition for springs, torsion bars and highly stressed elastic parts; austenitize ~850 °C, oil quench, temper 400–500 °C to 45–50 HRC. | 1,550 | 1,750 | 7 | 48 HRC | — |
What is 60CrMo3-3?
60CrMo3-3 is a high-carbon chromium-molybdenum spring steel (1.7241) in the EN 10083/10250 alloy steel family, the third defined condition of the 60CrMo3 group used for demanding elastic and spring components. Engineers select it for the high elastic limit reached after quenching and tempering — about 1550 MPa yield, 1750 MPa tensile, 7 % elongation and 480 HB (48 HRC) — in bar, wire and flat strip forms. The trade-offs are severe: it is essentially non-weldable, machinability is low (score 25), and service temperature is limited to about 250 °C. 51CrV4 is the usual alternative where easier processing matters more than peak strength. 60CrMo3-3 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). 60CrMo3-3 has a yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
What is 60CrMo3-3 used for?
- springs
- torsion bars
- stabilizer bars
- high-load elastic elements
Advantages
- High strength — 1,550 MPa (225 ksi), better than 97% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 7%, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 45 MPa·√m (41 ksi·√in), worse than 90% of steel grades
60CrMo3-3 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 60CrMo3-3-+QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
60CrMo3-3 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
60CrMo3-3 has a yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
Thermal6
60CrMo3-3 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
60CrMo3-3 conducts electricity at 7.5 % IACS, worse than 67% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 60CrMo3-3 takes about 28 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
60CrMo3-3's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); 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. 60CrMo3-3 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 60CrMo3-3
Is 60CrMo3-3 easy to machine?
Machine in the +A/+AC condition (≈50–60 % of AISI 1212); after Q&T to 48 HRC use carbide or CBN, rigid setups and grinding for finishing.
Can 60CrMo3-3 be welded?
Essentially non-weldable for structural use (C ≈ 0.60, CE > 0.9); if unavoidable, preheat 300–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and immediate post-weld temper.
Can 60CrMo3-3 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold coil/bend only in spheroidized or +S condition with generous radii; hot form 900–1050 °C and heat treat afterwards — austenitize ~850 °C, oil quench, temper 400–500 °C.
60CrMo3-3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chigh carbon for spring elastic limit | 0.56 – 0.64 | 0.6 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.28 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| MoMo level distinguishes the -1/-2/-3/-4 variants of 60CrMo3; verify against the current EN 10089 table for the exact suffix | 0.25 – 0.35 | 0.3 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 60CrMo3-3?
Shot peen springs for fatigue life, then phosphate + oil, zinc-rich or epoxy/powder coat; avoid acid pickling and un-baked electroplating due to hydrogen embrittlement risk.
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 60CrMo3-3 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 60CrMo3-3 cost?
60CrMo3-3 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
60CrMo3-3 — frequently asked
What is 60CrMo3-3 used for?
60CrMo3-3 is typically used for springs, torsion bars, stabilizer bars and high-load elastic elements. In short: high-strength spring steel; 48 HRC after tempering; effectively non-weldable.
What is the yield strength of 60CrMo3-3?
60CrMo3-3 has a typical yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 60CrMo3-3 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades). Machine in the +A/+AC condition (≈50–60 % of AISI 1212); after Q&T to 48 HRC use carbide or CBN, rigid setups and grinding for finishing.
Can 60CrMo3-3 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Essentially non-weldable for structural use (C ≈ 0.60, CE > 0.9); if unavoidable, preheat 300–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and immediate post-weld temper.
What surface finishes work on 60CrMo3-3?
Shot peen springs for fatigue life, then phosphate + oil, zinc-rich or epoxy/powder coat; avoid acid pickling and un-baked electroplating due to hydrogen embrittlement risk.
Can 60CrMo3-3 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold coil/bend only in spheroidized or +S condition with generous radii; hot form 900–1050 °C and heat treat afterwards — austenitize ~850 °C, oil quench, temper 400–500 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 60CrMo3-3?
60CrMo3-3 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 60CrMo3-3 cost?
60CrMo3-3 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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 10083-1/-3 — Steels for quenching and tempering (delivery conditions +A, +AC, +S, +H, +QT) — CEN (2006)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 13906-1 — Cylindrical helical springs, design and calculation — CEN (2013)
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.