Steel 9260
AISI/SAE 9260 · UNS G92600 · JIS SUP7 · GB 60Si2MnA, 60Si2Mn
9260 (G92600, 60Si2MnA/60Si2Mn, SUP7, 60SiCr8) is a silicon-manganese alloy spring steel valued for its high elastic limit and resistance to sag under sustained load.
Values for the Annealed condition
9260 tempers and conditions
9260 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault full/spheroidize annealed, softest supply condition | Pick for machining, cold forming or coiling before hardening; lowest hardness and best tool life. | 450 | 770 | 20 | 220 HB | — |
as-rolled bar/flat, untreated | Mill supply condition for bars and spring flats that will be hot-coiled or later heat treated; hard and scaled, not for direct use. | 600 | 1,000 | 12 | 30 HRC | 6.6 % IACS |
austenitised ≈900 °C, air cooled | Use to homogenise structure and refine grain after forging, ahead of final quench and temper. | 620 | 930 | 18 | 27 HRC | 6.6 % IACS |
annealed then cold drawn bar/wire | Choose for close-tolerance bar and spring wire stock that will be coiled cold and then hardened and tempered. | 800 | 950 | 9 | 29 HRC | 6.6 % IACS |
oil quenched, tempered 650 °C | Softest quenched-and-tempered condition; used when machining after heat treatment or maximum ductility is required. | 880 | 1,010 | 15 | 31 HRC | — |
oil quenched, tempered 540 °C | Tough, high-yield condition for torsion bars and heavy sections where impact matters more than peak hardness. | 1,180 | 1,280 | 12 | 40 HRC | — |
Quenched and tempered | The standard working condition for leaf and coil springs: maximum elastic limit with usable toughness (~45–48 HRC). | 1,500 | 1,610 | 8 | 47 HRC | — |
Spring temper with compressive surface treatment | Standard for production leaf/coil springs: peening restores fatigue life lost to decarburisation and surface flaws. | 1,500 | 1,610 | 8 | 47 HRC | 6.4 % IACS |
oil quenched, tempered 315 °C | Near-peak strength with slightly better toughness than a 205 °C temper; watch for temper embrittlement range. | 1,720 | 1,980 | 5 | 53 HRC | 6.6 % IACS |
What is 9260?
9260 (G92600, 60Si2MnA/60Si2Mn, SUP7, 60SiCr8) is a silicon-manganese alloy spring steel valued for its high elastic limit and resistance to sag under sustained load. It is the standard bar, strip and wire grade for automotive leaf and coil springs, stocked hot-rolled, normalized, cold-drawn, annealed and quenched-and-tempered (315 °C, 540 °C, 650 °C, and Q&T plus shot peened). The default condition on file lists 450 MPa yield, 770 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation and 220 HB, with machinability about 45. Weldability is poor and the steel has no corrosion resistance, so springs are peened and coated. 9260 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). 9260 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 770 MPa (112 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is 9260 used for?
- Automotive leaf springs
- Coil springs
- Torsion bars
- Heavy-truck suspension springs
- Spring clips and retaining clips
- Agricultural tines and harrow springs
- Flat and disc spring blanks
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 6.6 % IACS, worse than 76% of steel grades
9260 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 9260-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
9260 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).
Mechanical14
9260 has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 770 MPa (112 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
9260 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 43 W/m·K (24.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 51% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
9260 conducts electricity at 6.6 % IACS, worse than 76% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 9260 takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
9260's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. 9260 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 9260
Is 9260 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed/spheroidised state (~55 % of 1212) with rigid setups and sharp carbide; above 45 HRC use grinding, EDM or CBN turning.
Can 9260 be welded?
Poor weldability — carbon equivalent ≈0.9; if unavoidable, preheat 300–400 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, immediate post-weld temper, and accept loss of spring temper in the HAZ.
Can 9260 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot form or coil at 900–1000 °C, or cold coil in the annealed condition then oil quench from 860–880 °C and temper 400–500 °C; protect against decarburisation with controlled atmosphere or salt bath.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 9260. Every 9260 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair45 / 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 | Better45 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair20 / 100 |
9260 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CSAE/AISI 9260 heat analysis | 0.56 – 0.64 | 0.6 |
| Siprincipal strengthening/solid-solution element | 1.8 – 2.2 | 2 |
| Mn | 0.75 – 1 | 0.87 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 9260?
No native corrosion resistance: shot peen then phosphate + oil, paint/powder coat, or Zn/Zn-Ni plate with a 190–220 °C hydrogen-relief bake; do not anodize.
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 9260 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 9260 cost?
9260 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
9260 — frequently asked
What is 9260 used for?
9260 is typically used for automotive leaf springs, coil springs, torsion bars, heavy-truck suspension springs, spring clips and retaining clips and agricultural tines and harrow springs. In short: premium spring bar.
What is the yield strength of 9260?
9260 has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 770 MPa (112 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 9260 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed/spheroidised state (~55 % of 1212) with rigid setups and sharp carbide; above 45 HRC use grinding, EDM or CBN turning.
Can 9260 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Poor weldability — carbon equivalent ≈0.9; if unavoidable, preheat 300–400 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, immediate post-weld temper, and accept loss of spring temper in the HAZ.
What surface finishes work on 9260?
No native corrosion resistance: shot peen then phosphate + oil, paint/powder coat, or Zn/Zn-Ni plate with a 190–220 °C hydrogen-relief bake; do not anodize.
Can 9260 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot form or coil at 900–1000 °C, or cold coil in the annealed condition then oil quench from 860–880 °C and temper 400–500 °C; protect against decarburisation with controlled atmosphere or salt bath.
What is the maximum service temperature of 9260?
9260 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 9260 cost?
9260 is a standard-cost steel ($$), 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 9260?
Yes — 9260 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 A29/A29M — General Requirements for Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- GB/T 1222 — (60Si2Mn) — SAC (2016)
- JIS G 4801 — Spring steels (SUP7) — JSA (2011)
- 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)
- SAE HS-788 Spring Design Manual — SAE International (1996)
- Mysteel / SMM (2026)
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.