Steel 9260 Q&T + Shot Peened
Finish state
AISI/SAE 9260 · UNS G92600 · JIS SUP7 · GB 60Si2MnA, 60Si2Mn
Q&T + Shot Peened = spring temper with compressive surface treatment
Standard for production leaf/coil springs: peening restores fatigue life lost to decarburisation and surface flaws.
Values for the Q&T + Shot Peened condition
Other 9260 tempers and conditions
9260 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 9260.
- Annealed
- Hot Rolled
- Normalized
- Cold Drawn
- Q&T 650C
- Q&T 540C
- Q&T
- Q&T + Shot Peened
- Q&T 315C
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 | — |
Q&T + Shot PeenedThis page 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 Q&T + Shot Peened?
9260 Q&T + Shot Peened is 9260 supplied in the Q&T + Shot Peened condition — standard for production leaf/coil springs: peening restores fatigue life lost to decarburisation and surface flaws. 9260 Q&T + Shot Peened has a yield strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,610 MPa (234 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 9260 Q&T + Shot Peened 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T + Shot Peened is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,500 MPa (218 ksi), better than 97% 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 — 20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 230°C (446 °F), worse than 88% of steel grades
9260 Q&T + Shot Peened properties
Typical room-temperature values for 9260 Q&T + Shot Peened; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 9260 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
9260 Q&T + Shot Peened 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 Q&T + Shot Peened has a yield strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,610 MPa (234 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
9260 Q&T + Shot Peened is rated for continuous service to 230°C (446 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
9260 Q&T + Shot Peened conducts electricity at 6.4 % IACS, worse than 77% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 9260 Q&T + Shot Peened 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 Q&T + Shot Peened's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 9260 Q&T + Shot Peened
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.
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.
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 | — |
9260 Q&T + Shot Peened — frequently asked
What is 9260 Q&T + Shot Peened used for?
9260 Q&T + Shot Peened 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 Q&T + Shot Peened?
9260 Q&T + Shot Peened has a typical yield strength of 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,610 MPa (234 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 9260 Q&T + Shot Peened easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% 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 Q&T + Shot Peened be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). 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 Q&T + Shot Peened?
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 Q&T + Shot Peened 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 Q&T + Shot Peened?
9260 Q&T + Shot Peened is rated for continuous use to about 230°C (446 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 9260 Q&T + Shot Peened?
Yes — 9260 Q&T + Shot Peened 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.