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Steel A5 HT 60-62 HRC

Hardness band

AISI/SAE A5 · UNS T30105

HT 60-62 HRC = hardened + tempered 175–205 °C

Maximum wear resistance for blanking and piercing punches and dies in thin, non-abrasive stock.

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Values for the HT 60-62 HRC condition

Other A5 tempers and conditions

A5 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at A5.

Compare all 7 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Stress relieved
Interim step for large or asymmetric tools to minimise distortion during subsequent air hardening.4307402320 HRC2.7 % IACS
ANNDefault
Annealed
Standard as-supplied stock condition for machining the tool before hardening.43574522225 HB—
Hardened + tempered 480–540 °C
Maximum-toughness setting for large, heavily shock-loaded tools or where nitriding/EDM follow-up is planned.1,4501,700651 HRC—
Hardened + tempered 400–425 °C
Tougher setting for heavy-section dies, trim tools and shock-loaded punches.1,6001,850455 HRC—
Hardened + tempered 260–315 °C
Balanced wear/toughness setting for general blanking dies, form tools and shear blades.1,7201,980258 HRC—
HT 60-62 HRCThis page
Hardened + tempered 175–205 °C
Maximum wear resistance for blanking and piercing punches and dies in thin, non-abrasive stock.1,9002,150161 HRC—
As air-quenched
Intermediate condition only — must be tempered immediately; shown for hardening-response reference.1,9502,200163 HRC2.3 % IACS

What is A5 HT 60-62 HRC?

A5 HT 60-62 HRC is A5 heat treated to HT 60-62 HRC — maximum wear resistance for blanking and piercing punches and dies in thin, non-abrasive stock. A5 HT 60-62 HRC has a yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,150 MPa (312 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 203 GPa (29.4 Msi). A5 HT 60-62 HRC has a density of 7.86 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HT 60-62 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 1,900 MPa (276 ksi), better than 100% of steel grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 94% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Low electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of steel grades

A5 HT 60-62 HRC properties

Typical room-temperature values for A5 HT 60-62 HRC; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A5 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

A5 HT 60-62 HRC has a density of 7.86 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).

Density7.86 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,400°C2,552 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,460°C2,660 °F

Mechanical15

A5 HT 60-62 HRC has a yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,150 MPa (312 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 203 GPa (29.4 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus203 GPa29.4 Msi
Shear Modulus78 GPa11.3 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)2,150 MPa312 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,900 MPa276 ksi
Elongation at Break1%
Reduction in Area45%
Compressive Strength2,400 MPa348 ksi
Shear Strength1,300 MPa189 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)750 MPa109 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)8 J5.9 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell225 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B98 HRB
Hardness, Vickers735 HV

Thermal6

A5 HT 60-62 HRC is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity25 W/m·K14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)150°C302 °F
Min Service Temperature-30°C-22 °F

Electrical3

A5 HT 60-62 HRC conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity2.7 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity6.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m25.6 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.62 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended13/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryNo practical corrosion resistance: rusts in humid air and water, attacked by acids and chlorides; requires oil film, VCI wrap, phosphate, black-oxide or PVD coating in storage and service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of A5 HT 60-62 HRC takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content40%

Manufacturability6

A5 HT 60-62 HRC's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (22/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended8/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)50%
WeldabilityPoor20/100
Formability (cold)Poor22/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair35/100
PolishabilityVery good75/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with A5 HT 60-62 HRC

Is A5 easy to machine?

Machine in the annealed condition with rigid setups, sharp carbide or cobalt HSS and moderate speeds; the high-Mn matrix work-hardens and tends to gum, so avoid dwelling and use positive rake; after hardening only grinding, EDM or hard turning with CBN is practical.

Can A5 be welded?

Weld only for tool repair: preheat/interpass 200–300 °C, matching tool-steel or high-alloy filler, small stringer beads, then temper at 15–25 °C below the last tempering temperature; never weld cold or leave untempered.

Can A5 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1040–870 °C with slow furnace cooling and immediate spheroidize anneal at ~760–790 °C; cold forming is limited to light coining or straightening of annealed stock.

What surface finishes work on A5?

Takes a good ground and lapped/polished finish at 58–62 HRC; protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, hard chrome or TiN/TiCN/CrN PVD (deposit below the tempering temperature) since the steel has no inherent corrosion resistance.

A5 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
C0.95 – 1.051
MnHigh Mn gives deep air hardening and low austenitizing temperature2.5 – 32.75
Si≤ 0.50.3
Cr0.9 – 1.21
Mo0.9 – 1.41.05
VOptional / residual in some producer practice≤ 0.3—
P≤ 0.03—
S≤ 0.03—
Febalance—

A5 HT 60-62 HRC — frequently asked

What is A5 HT 60-62 HRC used for?

A5 HT 60-62 HRC is typically used for blanking dies, forming dies and gauges. In short: air-hardening, low distortion; deep hardening cold-work grade; tougher than D-series.

What is the yield strength of A5 HT 60-62 HRC?

A5 HT 60-62 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,900 MPa (276 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,150 MPa (312 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is A5 HT 60-62 HRC easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed condition with rigid setups, sharp carbide or cobalt HSS and moderate speeds; the high-Mn matrix work-hardens and tends to gum, so avoid dwelling and use positive rake; after hardening only grinding, EDM or hard turning with CBN is practical.

Can A5 HT 60-62 HRC be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Weld only for tool repair: preheat/interpass 200–300 °C, matching tool-steel or high-alloy filler, small stringer beads, then temper at 15–25 °C below the last tempering temperature; never weld cold or leave untempered.

What surface finishes work on A5 HT 60-62 HRC?

Takes a good ground and lapped/polished finish at 58–62 HRC; protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, hard chrome or TiN/TiCN/CrN PVD (deposit below the tempering temperature) since the steel has no inherent corrosion resistance.

Can A5 HT 60-62 HRC be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1040–870 °C with slow furnace cooling and immediate spheroidize anneal at ~760–790 °C; cold forming is limited to light coining or straightening of annealed stock.

What is the maximum service temperature of A5 HT 60-62 HRC?

A5 HT 60-62 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between A5-ANN and A5-AQ?

ANN is the default condition — standard as-supplied stock condition for machining the tool before hardening. AQ: intermediate condition only — must be tempered immediately; shown for hardening-response reference. Yield strength is 435 MPa in ANN versus 1,950 MPa in AQ.

Sources

  1. ASTM A681 — Standard Specification for Tool Steels, Alloy — ASTM International (2015)
  2. SAE J437/J438 — Tool and Die Steels — SAE International (2015)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Specialty Handbook: Tool Materials — ASM International (1995)
  5. Heat Treater's Guide: Practices and Procedures for Irons and Steels — ASM International (1995)
  6. Air-hardening cold-work tool steel (A-series) data sheets — Crucible / Latrobe / Böhler-Uddeholm (2020)

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.