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Steel 6118 CH58-62

Heat-treated state

AISI/SAE 6118 · UNS G61180

CH58-62 = carburized, quenched & tempered

Final service condition for gears, cams and splines: hard wear-resistant case with tough low-carbon core.

Budget cost $

Values for the CH58-62 condition

Other 6118 tempers and conditions

6118 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 6118.

Compare all 7 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
ADefault
Solution annealed
Default stock condition: softest, best machinability before carburizing.31547031137 HB—
Hot rolled
Cheapest mill condition for parts that will be fully re-heat-treated after machining.35054024160 HB7.5 % IACS
Normalized and tempered
Stress-relieved normalized bar for dimensionally stable machining of larger sections.35052024160 HB7.5 % IACS
Normalized
Uniform fine-grained structure and better core toughness before carburizing or final machining.37055021170 HB7.5 % IACS
Cold drawn
Close-tolerance, higher-strength bar for pins and shafts machined with minimal stock removal.52062015187 HB—
through hardened and tempered (thin sections)
Direct-quenched and high-temperature tempered small sections where no case is required.7209001729 HRC—
CH58-62This page
Carburized, quenched & tempered
Final service condition for gears, cams and splines: hard wear-resistant case with tough low-carbon core.7501,0001260 HRC—

What is 6118 CH58-62?

6118 CH58-62 is 6118 heat treated to CH58-62 — final service condition for gears, cams and splines: hard wear-resistant case with tough low-carbon core. 6118 CH58-62 has a yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 84% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 6118 CH58-62 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). A is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CH58-62 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 750 MPa (109 ksi), better than 84% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 98% of steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 82% of steel grades

6118 CH58-62 properties

Typical room-temperature values for 6118 CH58-62; 15 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 6118 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

6118 CH58-62 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 Temperature1,500°C2,732 °F

Mechanical15

6118 CH58-62 has a yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 84% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,000 MPa145 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)750 MPa109 ksi
Elongation at Break12%
Reduction in Area45%
Shear Strength620 MPa89.9 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)600 MPa87 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)25 J18.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell137 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B76 HRB
Hardness, Vickers700 HV

Thermal6

6118 CH58-62 is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.2 µm/m·K (6.78 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity45 W/m·K26 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity475 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)180°C356 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

6118 CH58-62 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 (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.61 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts readily in humid air and water; no resistance to acids or chlorides. Requires oil, phosphate, zinc plating, black oxide or paint for storage and service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 6118 CH58-62 takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.1 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

6118 CH58-62's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability good (60/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended12/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)10%
WeldabilityNot recommended10/100
Formability (cold)Good60/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityVery good70/100
PolishabilityGood60/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use zinc/nickel plating, phosphating or black oxide instead

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

Working with 6118 CH58-62

Is 6118 easy to machine?

Machine in the annealed or cold-drawn condition (~60 % of 1212); vanadium carbides accelerate tool wear slightly, so use coated carbide and rigid setups, and finish before carburizing.

Can 6118 be welded?

Weldable in the low-carbon annealed/normalized state with low-hydrogen consumables, 150–250 °C preheat and post-weld stress relief; do not weld carburized or hardened parts.

Can 6118 be formed, bent or molded?

Good cold formability when annealed (bending, upsetting, thread rolling); hot work 1100–1200 °C, finish above 900 °C and normalize afterwards to restore fine grain.

What surface finishes work on 6118?

No anodizing — protect with zinc or nickel plating, phosphate + oil, or black oxide; grind or hone carburized surfaces after hardening and bake plated parts to avoid hydrogen embrittlement.

6118 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
C0.16 – 0.210.18
Mn0.5 – 0.70.6
Si0.15 – 0.350.25
Cr0.5 – 0.70.6
Vgrain refiner; some specs list 0.10 min only0.1 – 0.150.12
P≤ 0.04—
S≤ 0.04—
Febalance—

6118 CH58-62 — frequently asked

What is 6118 CH58-62 used for?

6118 CH58-62 is typically used for small gears, hand tools and fasteners. In short: fine-grain Cr-V carburizer; stable for precision parts; case to 58–62 HRC.

What is the yield strength of 6118 CH58-62?

6118 CH58-62 has a typical yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 84% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is 6118 CH58-62 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed or cold-drawn condition (~60 % of 1212); vanadium carbides accelerate tool wear slightly, so use coated carbide and rigid setups, and finish before carburizing.

Can 6118 CH58-62 be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Weldable in the low-carbon annealed/normalized state with low-hydrogen consumables, 150–250 °C preheat and post-weld stress relief; do not weld carburized or hardened parts.

What surface finishes work on 6118 CH58-62?

No anodizing — protect with zinc or nickel plating, phosphate + oil, or black oxide; grind or hone carburized surfaces after hardening and bake plated parts to avoid hydrogen embrittlement.

Can 6118 CH58-62 be formed, bent or molded?

Good cold formability when annealed (bending, upsetting, thread rolling); hot work 1100–1200 °C, finish above 900 °C and normalize afterwards to restore fine grain.

What is the maximum service temperature of 6118 CH58-62?

6118 CH58-62 is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between 6118-A and 6118 CH58-62?

A is the default condition — default stock condition: softest, best machinability before carburizing. CH58-62: final service condition for gears, cams and splines: hard wear-resistant case with tough low-carbon core. Yield strength is 315 MPa in A versus 750 MPa in CH58-62.

Sources

  1. SAE J404 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Alloy Steels — SAE International (2021)
  2. SAE J1268 / J406 — Hardenability and Hardenability Bands for Alloy Steels — SAE International (2019)
  3. ASTM A29/A29M — General Requirements for Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol. 4A — Steel Heat Treating Fundamentals and Processes (carburizing) — ASM International (2013)
  6. Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. (machinability ratings) — Industrial Press (2020)

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.