Steel A536 60-40-18-AC (Spheroidize annealed)
Heat-treated state
ASTM A536 60-40-18 · EN EN-GJS-400-15, GGG40 · JIS FCD400 · GB QT400-15
Pick when foundry chemistry/cooling gives a ferritic matrix without heat treatment — lowest cost route to 60-40-18.
Values for the AC condition
Other A536 60-40-18 tempers and conditions
A536 60-40-18 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at A536 60-40-18.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Heavy Section | Use for large/thick castings where slow cooling coarsens nodules and lowers strength — design to reduced properties. | 265 | 400 | 15 | 145 HB | 2.9 % IACS |
Low-Temperature Impact Grade | Choose for wind-turbine hubs, offshore and cold-climate castings needing verified impact energy at -20/-40 °C. | 290 | 430 | 22 | 145 HB | 2.9 % IACS |
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard stocked condition: anneal removes pearlite and carbides for maximum ductility, impact toughness and machinability. | 300 | 450 | 23 | 150 HB | 3 % IACS |
ACThis page Spheroidize annealed | Pick when foundry chemistry/cooling gives a ferritic matrix without heat treatment — lowest cost route to 60-40-18. | 315 | 455 | 19 | 163 HB | 2.9 % IACS |
What is A536 60-40-18-AC?
A536 60-40-18-AC is A536 60-40-18 heat treated to AC — pick when foundry chemistry/cooling gives a ferritic matrix without heat treatment — lowest cost route to 60-40-18. A536 60-40-18-AC has a yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — weaker than 82% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 19% and the elastic modulus is 169 GPa (24.5 Msi). A536 60-40-18-AC 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). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 68/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Low stiffness — 169 GPa (24.5 Msi), worse than 97% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 33 MPa·√m (30 ksi·√in), worse than 95% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, worse than 93% of steel grades
- Low strength — 315 MPa (45.7 ksi), worse than 82% of steel grades
A536 60-40-18-AC properties
Typical room-temperature values for A536 60-40-18-AC; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are A536 60-40-18 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
A536 60-40-18-AC 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 60-40-18-AC has a yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — weaker than 82% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 19% and the elastic modulus is 169 GPa (24.5 Msi).
Thermal6
A536 60-40-18-AC is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 36 W/m·K (20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 73% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A536 60-40-18-AC conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, worse than 93% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (18/100), better than 83% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of A536 60-40-18-AC takes about 21 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 99% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability8
A536 60-40-18-AC's machinability is good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades); weldability poor (28/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with A536 60-40-18-AC
Is A536 60-40-18 easy to machine?
Very free-machining for a ferrous casting — graphite breaks chips; use carbide/ceramic, avoid built-up edge from the soft ferrite by keeping speeds up and coolant adequate.
Can A536 60-40-18 be welded?
Poor weldability: preheat 300–400 °C with NiFe (ENiFe-CI) electrodes, small stringer beads, peening and slow cool; post-weld ferritizing anneal restores ductility in the HAZ.
Can A536 60-40-18 be formed, bent or molded?
Green-sand, resin-bonded or shell moulds with Mg treatment and late inoculation; feed with graphite-expansion allowance, control nodularity ≥85% and avoid carbide-forming trace elements.
What surface finishes work on A536 60-40-18?
Shot blast then paint, powder coat, epoxy or phosphate; can be zinc/nickel plated or hard-chromed after careful graphite removal — no anodizing.
A536 60-40-18 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 specifies mechanical properties only; chemistry is foundry practice | 3.2 – 3.9 | 3.6 |
| Sihigher Si promotes as-cast ferrite but raises ductile-brittle transition | 2 – 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Mnkept low for ferritic/LT grades | 0.1 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mgresidual nodulizer | 0.03 – 0.06 | 0.05 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Cupearlite promoter — limited in ferritic grade | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance | — |
A536 60-40-18-AC — frequently asked
What is A536 60-40-18-AC used for?
A536 60-40-18-AC is typically used for pipe fittings, agricultural equipment, housings and axle carriers. In short: most ductile A536 grade; best impact toughness in family; easy-machining ferrous casting.
What is the yield strength of A536 60-40-18-AC?
A536 60-40-18-AC has a typical yield strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — weaker than 82% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is A536 60-40-18-AC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades). Very free-machining for a ferrous casting — graphite breaks chips; use carbide/ceramic, avoid built-up edge from the soft ferrite by keeping speeds up and coolant adequate.
Can A536 60-40-18-AC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (28/100). Poor weldability: preheat 300–400 °C with NiFe (ENiFe-CI) electrodes, small stringer beads, peening and slow cool; post-weld ferritizing anneal restores ductility in the HAZ.
What surface finishes work on A536 60-40-18-AC?
Shot blast then paint, powder coat, epoxy or phosphate; can be zinc/nickel plated or hard-chromed after careful graphite removal — no anodizing.
Can A536 60-40-18-AC be formed, bent or molded?
Green-sand, resin-bonded or shell moulds with Mg treatment and late inoculation; feed with graphite-expansion allowance, control nodularity ≥85% and avoid carbide-forming trace elements.
What is the maximum service temperature of A536 60-40-18-AC?
A536 60-40-18-AC is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between A536 60-40-18-ANN and A536 60-40-18-HS?
ANN is the default condition — standard stocked condition: anneal removes pearlite and carbides for maximum ductility, impact toughness and machinability. HS: use for large/thick castings where slow cooling coarsens nodules and lowers strength — design to reduced properties. Yield strength is 300 MPa in ANN versus 265 MPa in HS.
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 — ASM International (1990)
- Ductile Iron Data for Design Engineers — Ductile Iron Society / Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium (2013)
- Continuous cast ductile iron bar 60-40-18 datasheet — Dura-Bar (2022)
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.