Steel A27 Grade 60-30-A (Solution annealed)
Temper
ASTM A27 Grade 60-30
Pick when maximum machinability, lowest residual stress and best dimensional stability matter more than strength.
Values for the A condition
Other A27 Grade 60-30 tempers and conditions
A27 Grade 60-30 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at A27 Grade 60-30.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AThis page Solution annealed | Pick when maximum machinability, lowest residual stress and best dimensional stability matter more than strength. | 240 | 450 | 31 | 125 HB | — |
As-cast | Lowest-cost option for light, non-critical castings where heat treatment is waived but 60-30 tensile/yield levels are still verified. | 250 | 455 | 25 | 130 HB | 10 % IACS |
Normalized and tempered | Use when weld-repaired or thick-section castings need residual stress relief and slightly higher toughness at equal strength. | 255 | 470 | 30 | 128 HB | 10 % IACS |
NDefault Normalized | Standard stocked/supplied condition: best combination of strength, toughness and uniform structure for general structural castings. | 260 | 485 | 28 | 131 HB | — |
What is A27 Grade 60-30-A?
A27 Grade 60-30-A is A27 Grade 60-30 in the A temper — pick when maximum machinability, lowest residual stress and best dimensional stability matter more than strength. A27 Grade 60-30-A has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 31% and the elastic modulus is 203 GPa (29.4 Msi). A27 Grade 60-30-A has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). N is the default condition FabDigit quotes; A is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 31%, better than 94% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 240 MPa (34.8 ksi), worse than 96% of steel grades
A27 Grade 60-30-A properties
Typical room-temperature values for A27 Grade 60-30-A; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A27 Grade 60-30 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A27 Grade 60-30-A has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
A27 Grade 60-30-A has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 31% and the elastic modulus is 203 GPa (29.4 Msi).
Thermal6
A27 Grade 60-30-A is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A27 Grade 60-30-A conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A27 Grade 60-30-A takes about 22 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 99% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 90%.
Manufacturability8
A27 Grade 60-30-A's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with A27 Grade 60-30-A
Is A27 Grade 60-30 easy to machine?
Machines like ~1020–1025 wrought steel at ~65 % of AISI 1212; remove the sand/scale skin with a first heavy cut to protect carbide edges, and expect gummy chips in the annealed condition.
Can A27 Grade 60-30 be welded?
Excellent weldability with SMAW/GMAW/FCAW using E7018-class filler; preheat 100–150 °C for heavy sections and stress-relieve or re-normalize after major weld repair.
Can A27 Grade 60-30 be formed, bent or molded?
Green sand, no-bake or shell molding with generous risering — steel shrinks ~2 % and needs strong feeding; avoid abrupt section changes and hot spots.
What surface finishes work on A27 Grade 60-30?
Shot blast to SSPC-SP6 then prime/paint, zinc plate or hot-dip galvanize; bare surfaces rust within days in humid air.
A27 Grade 60-30 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cmax for Grades 60-30 / 65-35 per A27 Table 1 | ≤ 0.3 | 0.25 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.7 | 0.6 |
| Si | ≤ 0.8 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Curesidual element | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Crresidual element | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Niresidual element | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Moresidual element | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Vresidual element; total residuals ≤ 1.00 % | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
A27 Grade 60-30-A — frequently asked
What is A27 Grade 60-30-A used for?
A27 Grade 60-30-A is typically used for machinery frames, structural castings and railroad and mining equipment parts. In short: entry-level structural cast steel; best weldability in family; highest ductility A27 tier.
What is the yield strength of A27 Grade 60-30-A?
A27 Grade 60-30-A has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is A27 Grade 60-30-A easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machines like ~1020–1025 wrought steel at ~65 % of AISI 1212; remove the sand/scale skin with a first heavy cut to protect carbide edges, and expect gummy chips in the annealed condition.
Can A27 Grade 60-30-A be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent weldability with SMAW/GMAW/FCAW using E7018-class filler; preheat 100–150 °C for heavy sections and stress-relieve or re-normalize after major weld repair.
What surface finishes work on A27 Grade 60-30-A?
Shot blast to SSPC-SP6 then prime/paint, zinc plate or hot-dip galvanize; bare surfaces rust within days in humid air.
Can A27 Grade 60-30-A be formed, bent or molded?
Green sand, no-bake or shell molding with generous risering — steel shrinks ~2 % and needs strong feeding; avoid abrupt section changes and hot spots.
What is the maximum service temperature of A27 Grade 60-30-A?
A27 Grade 60-30-A is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between A27 Grade 60-30-N and A27 Grade 60-30-A?
N is the default condition — standard stocked/supplied condition: best combination of strength, toughness and uniform structure for general structural castings. A: pick when maximum machinability, lowest residual stress and best dimensional stability matter more than strength. Yield strength is 260 MPa in N versus 240 MPa in A.
Sources
- ASTM A27/A27M — Standard Specification for Steel Castings, Carbon, for General Application — ASTM International (2020)
- Steel Castings Handbook, 6th ed. — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM International (1995)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.