Steel 9254 · heat-treated state
Steel 9254 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other 9254 tempers.
Specify oil quenching from ~860 °C and tempering at 400–450 °C for the final spring state: highest elastic limit and fatigue strength at 48–52 HRC, with almost no formability or weldability.
What is 9254 Q&T?
9254 Q&T is 9254 heat treated to Q&T — specify oil quenching from ~860 °C and tempering at 400–450 °C for the final spring state: highest elastic limit and fatigue strength at 48–52 HRC, with almost no formability or weldability. 9254 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi). 9254 Q&T 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,700 MPa (247 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 7%, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
9254 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for 9254 Q&T — 17 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 9254 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
9254 Q&T 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
9254 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
Thermal6
9254 Q&T 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 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
9254 Q&T conducts electricity at 7.5 % IACS, worse than 68% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 9254 Q&T takes about 31 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
9254 Q&T's machinability is poor (15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 9254 tempers and conditions
9254 is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 9254 overview.
- HRDefaultUse as-rolled bar or coil, the most commonly stocked delivery state, for parts that will be hot formed, coiled or quenched and tempered afterwards; tolerance and surface are the loosest.620 MPa yield · 31 HRC
- Q&TSpecify oil quenching from ~860 °C and tempering at 400–450 °C for the final spring state: highest elastic limit and fatigue strength at 48–52 HRC, with almost no formability or weldability.1,700 MPa yield · 51 HRC
- OTChoose oil-tempered chrome-silicon spring wire to ASTM A401 for high-stress helical springs: cold coil and stress relieve only, no hardening, but forming is limited at 50 HRC.1,650 MPa yield · 50 HRC
- Q&T 42-46 HRCPick this higher tempering temperature (42–46 HRC) when impact-loaded leaf springs or stabilizer bars need better toughness and fracture resistance, accepting 1500 MPa instead of 1950 MPa tensile.1,350 MPa yield · 44 HRC
- AnnealedChoose the spheroidize/soft-annealed state at 240 HB for machining, cold forming or cold drawing, then quench and temper to reach final spring properties.480 MPa yield · 240 HB
Working with 9254 Q&T
Is 9254 easy to machine?
In the annealed or hot-rolled condition use carbide tooling at low to moderate speeds, roughly 40 % of 1212 rates; after quench and temper the material is essentially limited to grinding or CBN turning.
Can 9254 be welded?
At about 0.55 % C weldability is poor and the heat-affected zone hardens and cracks readily, so spring parts should not be welded. Where welding is unavoidable, preheat to 150–250 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and temper immediately after welding.
Can 9254 be formed, bent or molded?
Small-diameter springs are cold-coiled from oil-tempered wire and stress relieved at 250–420 °C; large sections are hot-coiled at 850–950 °C and then quenched and tempered as a whole. Avoid cold forming high-hardness material.
What surface finishes work on 9254?
Shot peen fatigue-critical parts, using stress peening where possible, then phosphate and paint or apply an epoxy or zinc-aluminum coating. Electroplating requires a strict hydrogen bake-out, and the decarburized layer should be removed by peeling or grinding.
9254 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 | 0.51 – 0.59 | 0.55 |
| Sikey to temper stability and relaxation resistance | 1.2 – 1.6 | 1.4 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 0.8 | 0.7 |
| Crincreases hardenability | 0.6 – 0.8 | 0.7 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Smax (spring use usually held ≤ 0.025) | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
9254 Q&T — frequently asked
What is 9254 Q&T used for?
9254 Q&T is typically used for heavy-duty coil springs, leaf springs, valve springs, torsion bars, stabilizer bars and clutch and suspension springs. In short: high-silicon spring bar.
What is the yield strength of 9254 Q&T?
9254 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 9254 Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades). In the annealed or hot-rolled condition use carbide tooling at low to moderate speeds, roughly 40 % of 1212 rates; after quench and temper the material is essentially limited to grinding or CBN turning.
Can 9254 Q&T be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). At about 0.55 % C weldability is poor and the heat-affected zone hardens and cracks readily, so spring parts should not be welded. Where welding is unavoidable, preheat to 150–250 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and temper immediately after welding.
What surface finishes work on 9254 Q&T?
Shot peen fatigue-critical parts, using stress peening where possible, then phosphate and paint or apply an epoxy or zinc-aluminum coating. Electroplating requires a strict hydrogen bake-out, and the decarburized layer should be removed by peeling or grinding.
Can 9254 Q&T be formed, bent or molded?
Small-diameter springs are cold-coiled from oil-tempered wire and stress relieved at 250–420 °C; large sections are hot-coiled at 850–950 °C and then quenched and tempered as a whole. Avoid cold forming high-hardness material.
What is the maximum service temperature of 9254 Q&T?
9254 Q&T 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.
What is the difference between 9254-HR and 9254-OT?
HR is the default condition — use as-rolled bar or coil, the most commonly stocked delivery state, for parts that will be hot formed, coiled or quenched and tempered afterwards; tolerance and surface are the loosest. OT: choose oil-tempered chrome-silicon spring wire to ASTM A401 for high-stress helical springs: cold coil and stress relieve only, no hardening, but forming is limited at 50 HRC. Yield strength is 620 MPa in HR versus 1,650 MPa in OT.
Can FabDigit make parts in 9254 Q&T?
Yes — 9254 Q&T is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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 A401/A401M — Chrome-Silicon Alloy Steel Spring Wire — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A877/A877M — Cr-Si Alloy Steel Spring Wire and Springs — ASTM (2019)
- GB/T 1222 (55SiCr / 55SiCrA) — SAC (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- SAE HS-795 Spring Design Manual — SAE International (1996)
- Mysteel / SMM (2026)
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.