FabDigitFabDigit

Steel FDSiCr-SR (Stress relieved)

Heat-treated state

Mandatory post-coiling treatment: restores elastic limit, stabilises free length and improves set/relaxation resistance.

Standard cost $$

Values for the SR condition

Other FDSiCr tempers and conditions

FDSiCr is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at FDSiCr.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Annealed
Intermediate supply condition for cold heading, machining or hot coiling followed by full quench and temper.5007801620 HRC8 % IACS
oil hardened and tempered, d 5.0–10.0 mm
Large suspension/clutch springs; strength drops with section but relaxation resistance is retained.1,5201,720850 HRC7 % IACS
OTDefault
Oil hardened and tempered, d 2.0–5.0 mm
Standard stocked condition: coil the spring directly from the wire, then low-temperature stress relieve.1,6801,900654 HRC—
SRThis page
Stress relieved
Mandatory post-coiling treatment: restores elastic limit, stabilises free length and improves set/relaxation resistance.1,7501,880653 HRC7 % IACS
Stress relieved and shot peened spring
Pick when cyclic life governs: compressive surface stress from peening markedly raises the fatigue limit.1,7501,880654 HRC7 % IACS
OT fine wire
Choose for small compression/torsion springs where the highest tensile level of the FDSiCr class is available.1,8202,050556 HRC7 % IACS

What is FDSiCr-SR?

FDSiCr-SR is FDSiCr heat treated to SR — mandatory post-coiling treatment: restores elastic limit, stabilises free length and improves set/relaxation resistance. FDSiCr-SR has a yield strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,880 MPa (273 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi). FDSiCr-SR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). OT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; SR is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 1,750 MPa (254 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 97% of steel grades
  • Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades

FDSiCr-SR properties

Typical room-temperature values for FDSiCr-SR; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are FDSiCr reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

FDSiCr-SR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,420°C2,588 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,490°C2,714 °F

Mechanical12

FDSiCr-SR has a yield strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,880 MPa (273 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus206 GPa29.9 Msi
Shear Modulus79.3 GPa11.5 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,880 MPa273 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,750 MPa254 ksi
Elongation at Break6%
Reduction in Area47%
Shear Strength1,130 MPa164 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)780 MPa113 ksi
Hardness, Rockwell C53 HRC
Hardness, Vickers560 HV

Thermal6

FDSiCr-SR is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.2 µm/m·K (6.78 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity42 W/m·K24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)250°C482 °F
Min Service Temperature-50°C-58 °F

Electrical3

FDSiCr-SR conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 74% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity7 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.84 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.6 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryNo inherent corrosion resistance: rusts in humid air and is highly susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement from acid pickling or electroplating; requires zinc/phosphate/oil, Zn-Ni or organic coating and bake-out after plating.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of FDSiCr-SR takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.3 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability6

FDSiCr-SR's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability poor (25/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended12/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)10%
WeldabilityNot recommended10/100
Formability (cold)Poor25/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use zinc phosphate, Zn/Zn-Ni plating (with hydrogen bake-out) or epoxy powder coat.

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

Working with FDSiCr-SR

Is FDSiCr easy to machine?

Not a machining grade in the OT condition (~54 HRC) — grind or use in the annealed rod condition, then quench and temper.

Can FDSiCr be welded?

Essentially unweldable in service condition; only resistance/laser tack joints with immediate local re-temper, otherwise cracking in the HAZ.

Can FDSiCr be formed, bent or molded?

Cold coil at spring index ≥4, then stress relieve 350–420 °C for 20–40 min and preset; avoid sharp bends and tight hook radii.

What surface finishes work on FDSiCr?

Shot peen for fatigue duty; protect with zinc phosphate + oil, Zn or Zn-Ni plating with 190–220 °C hydrogen bake-out within 4 h, or epoxy/powder coating.

FDSiCr 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
C0.51 – 0.590.55
Siraises elastic limit and relaxation resistance1.2 – 1.61.4
Mn0.5 – 0.80.65
Crhardenability, temper resistance0.5 – 0.80.65
P≤ 0.03—
S≤ 0.03—
Cumax, residual≤ 0.12—
Febalance—

FDSiCr-SR — frequently asked

What is FDSiCr-SR used for?

FDSiCr-SR is typically used for valve springs, high-fatigue mechanical springs and suspension-related small springs. In short: valve-spring grade wire; good relaxation resistance; 250 °C service capability.

What is the yield strength of FDSiCr-SR?

FDSiCr-SR has a typical yield strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,880 MPa (273 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is FDSiCr-SR easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades). Not a machining grade in the OT condition (~54 HRC) — grind or use in the annealed rod condition, then quench and temper.

Can FDSiCr-SR be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Essentially unweldable in service condition; only resistance/laser tack joints with immediate local re-temper, otherwise cracking in the HAZ.

What surface finishes work on FDSiCr-SR?

Shot peen for fatigue duty; protect with zinc phosphate + oil, Zn or Zn-Ni plating with 190–220 °C hydrogen bake-out within 4 h, or epoxy/powder coating.

Can FDSiCr-SR be formed, bent or molded?

Cold coil at spring index ≥4, then stress relieve 350–420 °C for 20–40 min and preset; avoid sharp bends and tight hook radii.

What is the maximum service temperature of FDSiCr-SR?

FDSiCr-SR is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between FDSiCr-OT and FDSiCr-ANN?

OT is the default condition — standard stocked condition: coil the spring directly from the wire, then low-temperature stress relieve. ANN: intermediate supply condition for cold heading, machining or hot coiling followed by full quench and temper. Yield strength is 1,680 MPa in OT versus 500 MPa in ANN.

Sources

  1. EN 10270-2 Steel wire for mechanical springs — Part 2: Oil hardened and tempered spring steel wire — CEN (2012)
  2. ASTM A401 Standard Specification for Steel Wire, Chromium-Silicon Alloy — ASTM (2020)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. EN 13906-1 Cylindrical helical springs — compression springs (design moduli) — CEN (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.