Steel E460K2 +A (Annealed)
Heat-treated state
EN 1.8891
Used before heavy machining, cold forming or to relieve welding/forging stresses; strength drops below the 460 MPa class.
Values for the +A condition
Other E460K2 tempers and conditions
E460K2 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at E460K2.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+AThis page 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 +A?
E460K2 +A is E460K2 heat treated to +A — used before heavy machining, cold forming or to relieve welding/forging stresses; strength drops below the 460 MPa class. E460K2 +A has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). E460K2 +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
- Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 81% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 79% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 25%, better than 77% of steel grades
E460K2 +A properties
Typical room-temperature values for E460K2 +A; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E460K2 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
E460K2 +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
E460K2 +A has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
E460K2 +A is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 43 W/m·K (24.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 51% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E460K2 +A 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 +A 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 +A's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability good (65/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E460K2 +A
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.
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.
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 | — |
E460K2 +A — frequently asked
What is E460K2 +A used for?
E460K2 +A 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 +A?
E460K2 +A has a typical yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is E460K2 +A easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% 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 +A be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). 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 +A?
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 +A 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 +A?
E460K2 +A 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.