Steel 9260 · heat-treated state
Steel 9260 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other 9260 tempers.
The standard working condition for leaf and coil springs: maximum elastic limit with usable toughness (~45–48 HRC).
What is 9260 Q&T?
9260 Q&T is 9260 heat treated to Q&T — the standard working condition for leaf and coil springs: maximum elastic limit with usable toughness (~45–48 HRC). 9260 Q&T 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 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 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 machine — 22/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 94% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
9260 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for 9260 Q&T — 16 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 9260 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
9260 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).
Mechanical14
9260 Q&T 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 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 Q&T conducts electricity at 6.6 % 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 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's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 96% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 9260 tempers and conditions
9260 is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 9260 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultPick for machining, cold forming or coiling before hardening; lowest hardness and best tool life.450 MPa yield · 220 HB
- Hardened & TemperedHighest strength/hardness condition for wear parts and high-load washers where ductility can be sacrificed.1,780 MPa yield · 55 HRC
- Q&T 315CNear-peak strength with slightly better toughness than a 205 °C temper; watch for temper embrittlement range.1,720 MPa yield · 53 HRC
- Q&TThe standard working condition for leaf and coil springs: maximum elastic limit with usable toughness (~45–48 HRC).1,500 MPa yield · 47 HRC
- Q&T 540CTough, high-yield condition for torsion bars and heavy sections where impact matters more than peak hardness.1,180 MPa yield · 40 HRC
- Q&T 650CSoftest quenched-and-tempered condition; used when machining after heat treatment or maximum ductility is required.880 MPa yield · 31 HRC
- NormalizedUse to homogenise structure and refine grain after forging, ahead of final quench and temper.620 MPa yield · 27 HRC
Working with 9260 Q&T
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 — frequently asked
What is 9260 Q&T used for?
9260 Q&T 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?
9260 Q&T 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 10 listed tempers.
Is 9260 Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 96% 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 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 Q&T?
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 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?
9260 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 9260 Q&T?
Yes — 9260 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 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.