Steel 6152
AISI/SAE 6152 · UNS G61520
6152 is a high-carbon chromium-vanadium spring steel (UNS G61520) in the SAE-AISI alloy steel series, where vanadium refines grain and lifts fatigue strength.
Values for the Annealed condition
6152 tempers and conditions
6152 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft, spheroidized/full annealed bar | Pick for machining, cold forming or coiling before final hardening; lowest strength, best workability. | 415 | 670 | 23 | 197 HB | — |
as-rolled bar/flat, untreated | Cheapest stock form for parts that will be fully heat treated after machining. | 550 | 900 | 18 | 25 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
austenitized ~870 °C, air cooled | Pick for a uniform fine-grained structure and mid-range strength before hardening, or for as-supplied hot-rolled bar refinement. | 615 | 940 | 22 | 27 HRC | — |
annealed then cold drawn bar/wire | Pick for close-tolerance bar and spring wire that is coiled cold and then stress-relieved or hardened. | 700 | 830 | 12 | 22 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
spring temper, tempered 400–450 °C (≈46–50 HRC) | Pick for leaf/coil springs and hand tools needing maximum elastic limit and fatigue strength at reduced ductility. | 1,450 | 1,620 | 8 | 48 HRC | — |
What is 6152?
6152 is a high-carbon chromium-vanadium spring steel (UNS G61520) in the SAE-AISI alloy steel series, where vanadium refines grain and lifts fatigue strength. Engineers use it for heavy coil and leaf springs; it is stocked as hot-rolled, cold-drawn, annealed and normalized bar and delivered hardened and tempered. In the annealed condition it shows 415 MPa yield, 670 MPa tensile, 23 % elongation and 197 HB (92 HRB), with service to about 400 °C. Machinability rates 50 and formability 40, and it is not intended for welded structures; 5160 is the common lower-alloy alternative. 6152 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). 6152 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 670 MPa (97.2 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is 6152 used for?
- Heavy leaf springs
- Coil springs
- Torsion bars
- Truck and trailer suspension springs
- Spring clips and retainers
- Agricultural tines and tillage parts
- Spring washers
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
6152 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 6152-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
6152 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
6152 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 670 MPa (97.2 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
6152 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 46 W/m·K (26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
6152 conducts electricity at 7.5 % IACS, worse than 67% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 6152 takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
6152's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. 6152 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 6152
Is 6152 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed or normalized state (≈55 % of 1212); above ~40 HRC use carbide or CBN, rigid setups and light finishing passes, and expect grinding for final tolerances.
Can 6152 be welded?
Not recommended for structural joints — preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and immediate post-weld temper are mandatory to avoid HAZ cracking; never weld in the spring-tempered condition.
Can 6152 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold coil, bend or blank in the annealed condition then harden; hot forming 950–1150 °C followed by full quench-and-temper gives the best spring properties.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 6152. Every 6152 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair50 / 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 | Better40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair25 / 100 |
6152 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Colder SAE 6152 range; modern 6150 is 0.48–0.53 | 0.45 – 0.55 | 0.5 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Cr | 0.8 – 1.1 | 0.95 |
| V0.15 % min per SAE | 0.15 – 0.25 | 0.18 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 6152?
Not stainless: phosphate-and-oil, black oxide, shot peen (strongly recommended for fatigue), zinc or paint; avoid acid pickling/electroplating at high hardness or bake out hydrogen after plating.
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
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 6152 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G61520
How much does 6152 cost?
6152 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
6152 — frequently asked
What is 6152 used for?
6152 is typically used for heavy leaf springs, coil springs, torsion bars, truck and trailer suspension springs, spring clips and retainers and agricultural tines and tillage parts. In short: vanadium spring-steel bar.
What is the yield strength of 6152?
6152 has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 670 MPa (97.2 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 6152 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed or normalized state (≈55 % of 1212); above ~40 HRC use carbide or CBN, rigid setups and light finishing passes, and expect grinding for final tolerances.
Can 6152 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not recommended for structural joints — preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and immediate post-weld temper are mandatory to avoid HAZ cracking; never weld in the spring-tempered condition.
What surface finishes work on 6152?
Not stainless: phosphate-and-oil, black oxide, shot peen (strongly recommended for fatigue), zinc or paint; avoid acid pickling/electroplating at high hardness or bake out hydrogen after plating.
Can 6152 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold coil, bend or blank in the annealed condition then harden; hot forming 950–1150 °C followed by full quench-and-temper gives the best spring properties.
What is the maximum service temperature of 6152?
6152 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 6152 cost?
6152 is a standard-cost steel ($$), 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 6152?
Yes — 6152 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
- SAE J404 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Alloy Steels — SAE International (2021)
- ASTM A231/A232 — Chromium-Vanadium Alloy Steel Spring Wire — ASTM (2020)
- EN 10089 — Hot-rolled steels for quenched and tempered springs (50CrV4 / 1.8159) — CEN (2002)
- GB/T 1222 — (50CrVA) — SAC (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — 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.