Steel A536 120-90-02-SH
Supply condition
ASTM A536 120-90-02 · EN EN-GJS-900-2, 0.7090 · JIS FCD900 · GB QT900-2
SH = q&T core plus induction/flame hardened surface
Choose for gear teeth, journals and cam lobes needing a hard wear surface over a tough 120-90-02 core.
Values for the SH condition
Other A536 120-90-02 tempers and conditions
A536 120-90-02 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at A536 120-90-02.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normalized and tempered | Used for large or crack-sensitive sections where oil quenching risks distortion; needs Cu/Mo/Ni alloying to reach the 120-90-02 minima. | 640 | 880 | 3 | 30 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard commercial route for 120-90-02: austenitize ~900 °C, oil quench, temper 500–600 °C to hit 827/621 MPa with 2 % elongation. | 660 | 900 | 3 | 32 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
SHThis page Q&T core plus induction/flame hardened surface | Choose for gear teeth, journals and cam lobes needing a hard wear surface over a tough 120-90-02 core. | 660 | 900 | 2 | 54 HRC | 2.6 % IACS |
Quenched and low-temperature tempered, high hardness | Pick when wear resistance dominates and elongation near the 2 % minimum is acceptable (gears, cams, dies). | 750 | 1,000 | 2 | 39 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
What is A536 120-90-02-SH?
A536 120-90-02-SH is A536 120-90-02 supplied in the SH condition — choose for gear teeth, journals and cam lobes needing a hard wear surface over a tough 120-90-02 core. A536 120-90-02-SH has a yield strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 80% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 172 GPa (24.9 Msi). A536 120-90-02-SH has a density of 7.1 g/cm³ (0.257 lb/in³), lighter than 99% of steel grades. It melts at 1,140°C (2,084 °F). QT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; SH is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 99% of steel grades
- High strength — 660 MPa (95.7 ksi), better than 80% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 2/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 8/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.6 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades
A536 120-90-02-SH properties
Typical room-temperature values for A536 120-90-02-SH; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A536 120-90-02 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A536 120-90-02-SH has a density of 7.1 g/cm³ (0.257 lb/in³), lighter than 99% of steel grades. It melts at 1,140°C (2,084 °F).
Mechanical16
A536 120-90-02-SH has a yield strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 80% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 172 GPa (24.9 Msi).
Thermal6
A536 120-90-02-SH is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 31 W/m·K (17.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A536 120-90-02-SH conducts electricity at 2.6 % IACS, worse than 97% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (17/100), better than 81% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A536 120-90-02-SH takes about 21 MJ of energy and emits 1.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 99% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability7
A536 120-90-02-SH's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (8/100); formability not recommended (2/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with A536 120-90-02-SH
Is A536 120-90-02 easy to machine?
Rough machine before hardening where possible; after Q&T use rigid setups, negative-rake coated carbide or CBN at low feed — hardness 269–341 HB cuts tool life sharply versus 65-45-12.
Can A536 120-90-02 be welded?
Essentially repair-only: preheat 300–400 °C, NiFe (ENiFe-CI) electrodes, short stringer beads, peening and slow cool, then re-temper to avoid brittle martensitic HAZ.
Can A536 120-90-02 be formed, bent or molded?
Green sand or shell mould casting with Mg treatment and inoculation; provide generous risering and controlled section change, then austenitize–quench in oil with fixtures to limit distortion and quench cracking.
What surface finishes work on A536 120-90-02?
Shot blast then paint, phosphate or zinc-rich primer for corrosion; can be nitrided, induction hardened or hard chrome plated — nodules leave micro-pits so mirror polish is limited.
A536 120-90-02 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A536 does not specify chemistry; typical foundry practice | 3.2 – 3.9 | 3.6 |
| Si | 2 – 2.8 | 2.4 |
| Mnhigher Mn aids hardenability | 0.2 – 0.8 | 0.5 |
| Mgresidual, for nodularization | 0.03 – 0.06 | 0.04 |
| Cupearlite/hardenability promoter | 0.4 – 1 | 0.7 |
| Nioptional, heavy sections | 0 – 1 | 0.3 |
| Mooptional, heavy sections | 0.1 – 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Pimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Simpurity limit | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance | — |
A536 120-90-02-SH — frequently asked
What is A536 120-90-02-SH used for?
A536 120-90-02-SH is typically used for gears, camshafts, wear plates and high-load machine components. In short: strongest standard ductile iron; wear-resistant hardened matrix; low ductility, hard to machine.
What is the yield strength of A536 120-90-02-SH?
A536 120-90-02-SH has a typical yield strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 80% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is A536 120-90-02-SH easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades). Rough machine before hardening where possible; after Q&T use rigid setups, negative-rake coated carbide or CBN at low feed — hardness 269–341 HB cuts tool life sharply versus 65-45-12.
Can A536 120-90-02-SH be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (8/100). Essentially repair-only: preheat 300–400 °C, NiFe (ENiFe-CI) electrodes, short stringer beads, peening and slow cool, then re-temper to avoid brittle martensitic HAZ.
What surface finishes work on A536 120-90-02-SH?
Shot blast then paint, phosphate or zinc-rich primer for corrosion; can be nitrided, induction hardened or hard chrome plated — nodules leave micro-pits so mirror polish is limited.
Can A536 120-90-02-SH be formed, bent or molded?
Green sand or shell mould casting with Mg treatment and inoculation; provide generous risering and controlled section change, then austenitize–quench in oil with fixtures to limit distortion and quench cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of A536 120-90-02-SH?
A536 120-90-02-SH is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between A536 120-90-02-QT and A536 120-90-02 QT-HH?
QT is the default condition — standard commercial route for 120-90-02: austenitize ~900 °C, oil quench, temper 500–600 °C to hit 827/621 MPa with 2 % elongation. QT-HH: pick when wear resistance dominates and elongation near the 2 % minimum is acceptable (gears, cams, dies). Yield strength is 660 MPa in QT versus 750 MPa in QT-HH.
Sources
- ASTM A536 Standard Specification for Ductile Iron Castings — ASTM International (2019)
- EN 1563 Founding — Spheroidal graphite cast irons — CEN (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Ductile Iron Data for Design Engineers — Ductile Iron Society / Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium (2013)
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.