Steel E460K2
EN 1.8891
E460K2 (1.8891) is a high-strength quality structural steel for machine building, with a minimum yield strength of 460 MPa and impact toughness guaranteed at -20 °C (K2 class).
Reference datasheet — E460K2 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the +N condition
E460K2 tempers and conditions
E460K2 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. +N is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Used before heavy machining, cold forming or to relieve welding/forging stresses; strength drops below the 460 MPa class. | 370 | 560 | 25 | 160 HB | 8 % IACS |
+N thick section | For heavy plate and large forgings/flanges where lower guaranteed yield is acceptable. | 440 | 580 | 20 | 180 HB | 8 % IACS |
+N heavy section | Same heat treatment for medium-thick plate and bar; spec yield steps down with section thickness. | 470 | 600 | 21 | 185 HB | 8 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Cheapest form for thin sections where mill rolling already meets the 460 MPa class; properties less uniform through thickness. | 480 | 610 | 19 | 185 HB | 8 % IACS |
+NDefault Normalized | Standard stocked condition: uniform fine-grain structure, guaranteed 460 MPa yield and -20 °C toughness, best all-round weldability. | 490 | 620 | 21 | 190 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Choose when higher yield strength and better low-temperature toughness are needed in machined load-bearing parts. | 540 | 700 | 19 | 19 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Peeled/cold-drawn bar for shafts and pins needing close tolerance and straightness; higher strength but reduced ductility and residual stress. | 590 | 700 | 12 | 19 HRC | 8 % IACS |
What is E460K2?
E460K2 (1.8891) is a high-strength quality structural steel for machine building, with a minimum yield strength of 460 MPa and impact toughness guaranteed at -20 °C (K2 class). It is used for load-bearing mechanical parts and is stocked as bar, plate and sections in +N, +QT, +AR, +A and +C conditions; typical +N values are 490 MPa yield, 620 MPa tensile, 21 % elongation and 190 HB. Weldability is good with low-hydrogen consumables but needs CEV control and preheat in thick sections, and formability is only moderate. It has no corrosion resistance of its own; S460N is the closest normalized fine-grain plate alternative. E460K2 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). E460K2 has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is E460K2 used for?
- machine components
- structural machine frames
- shafts
- gears
- heavy equipment parts
Advantages
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 76% of steel grades
E460K2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for E460K2-+N; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
E460K2 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
E460K2 has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
E460K2 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E460K2 conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E460K2 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
E460K2's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability good (55/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. E460K2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E460K2
Is E460K2 easy to machine?
Machines like a normalized HSLA steel at roughly 55 % of 1212 — use rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate feeds; expect gummy chips in the annealed condition.
Can E460K2 be welded?
Good weldability with all arc processes using matching low-hydrogen consumables; control CEV, preheat 100–150 °C for thick sections and limit heat input to preserve the -20 °C toughness.
Can E460K2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends and press-brake work are feasible with radii ≥ 2.5–3 t; hot forming 900–1150 °C followed by re-normalizing restores specified properties.
E460K2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ctypical of the weldable 460 MPa fine-grain class | ≤ 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 1 – 1.7 | 1.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al for grain refinement | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Nbmicro-alloying, Nb+V+Ti combined limited | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| V | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| N | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Crresidual/optional | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Nioptional for low-temperature toughness | ≤ 0.8 | 0.2 |
| Mooptional | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.7 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on E460K2?
No anodizing (ferrous); protect by shot-blast + epoxy/PU paint, hot-dip galvanizing (watch Si level for coating thickness) or zinc/phosphate coatings.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel E460K2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.8891
How much does E460K2 cost?
E460K2 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
E460K2 — frequently asked
What is E460K2 used for?
E460K2 is typically used for machine components, structural machine frames, shafts, gears and heavy equipment parts. In short: 460 MPa machine-building steel; guaranteed -20 °C toughness; stronger than S355.
What is the yield strength of E460K2?
E460K2 has a typical yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is E460K2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades). Machines like a normalized HSLA steel at roughly 55 % of 1212 — use rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate feeds; expect gummy chips in the annealed condition.
Can E460K2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Good weldability with all arc processes using matching low-hydrogen consumables; control CEV, preheat 100–150 °C for thick sections and limit heat input to preserve the -20 °C toughness.
What surface finishes work on E460K2?
No anodizing (ferrous); protect by shot-blast + epoxy/PU paint, hot-dip galvanizing (watch Si level for coating thickness) or zinc/phosphate coatings.
Can E460K2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends and press-brake work are feasible with radii ≥ 2.5–3 t; hot forming 900–1150 °C followed by re-normalizing restores specified properties.
What is the maximum service temperature of E460K2?
E460K2 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does E460K2 cost?
E460K2 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- EN 10025-3 Hot rolled products of structural steels — weldable fine grain steels, normalized/normalized rolled — CEN (2019)
- EN 10250-3 Open die steel forgings for general engineering purposes — alloy special steels — CEN (1999)
- DIN 17102 Weldable fine grain structural steels, normalized (StE/TStE/EStE 460) — DIN (1983)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.