Steel GE300
EN 1.0558
GE300 (1.0558) is a higher-strength general engineering cast carbon steel used in the normalized, normalized-and-tempered, quenched-and-tempered, annealed or as-cast condition.
Reference datasheet — GE300 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
GE300 tempers and conditions
GE300 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. +N is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Interim condition ordered when heavy machining or straightening precedes final normalizing/QT; lowest strength, best chip formation. | 270 | 500 | 22 | 148 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
Spheroidize annealed | Only for non-critical, lightly loaded castings — coarse dendritic structure, scattered properties and low impact energy; does not meet EN 10293 acceptance values. | 290 | 540 | 12 | 170 HB | 10 % IACS |
+NDefault Normalized | Standard delivery condition for GE300 castings: uniform fine grain, meets the full 300 MPa proof / 27 J impact specification at moderate cost. | 330 | 570 | 18 | 175 HB | — |
Normalized and tempered | Pick when residual stresses must be low and toughness/dimensional stability slightly better than plain +N, e.g. machined housings and gear blanks. | 335 | 555 | 19 | 168 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Choose for the highest strength and toughness combination in thicker sections or for fatigue-loaded parts; restricted to hardenable wall thicknesses (≈ up to 100 mm). | 390 | 630 | 18 | 14 HRC | — |
What is GE300?
GE300 (1.0558) is a higher-strength general engineering cast carbon steel used in the normalized, normalized-and-tempered, quenched-and-tempered, annealed or as-cast condition. Default properties are 330 MPa yield, 570 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and about 175 HB, with a machinability score of 55 and weldability score of 60, so it fits moderately stressed structural and mechanical castings that still need toughness. The higher carbon content (CEV ≈ 0.45) makes welding more demanding than GE240 or GS240 and service is capped at 400 °C with no corrosion resistance. GE300 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). GE300 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is GE300 used for?
- Gearboxes
- Structural castings
- Machine frames
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Low strength — 330 MPa (47.9 ksi), worse than 78% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 65 MPa·√m (59.2 ksi·√in), worse than 75% of steel grades
GE300 properties
Typical room-temperature values for GE300-+N; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
GE300 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
GE300 has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
GE300 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 46 W/m·K (26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
GE300 conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of GE300 takes about 28 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability8
GE300's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. GE300 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with GE300
Is GE300 easy to machine?
Machines like normalized medium-carbon steel — carbide tools, 120–180 m/min turning; remove the hard casting skin and any sand inclusions with a first roughing pass at reduced feed.
Can GE300 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen electrodes or MAG (E/G 46-class wire); with CEV ≈ 0.45 use 150–250 °C preheat on heavy sections and post-weld stress relief at 580–620 °C, then re-normalize for full-property repair welds.
Can GE300 be formed, bent or molded?
Green-sand, resin-sand or investment casting; feed generously (solidification shrinkage ≈ 2 %) with chills and risers, keep pouring at 1560–1620 °C and avoid abrupt section changes to prevent hot tears.
GE300 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ccarbon equivalent controlled for weldability | ≤ 0.23 | 0.2 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.2 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.12 | |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Vresidual; total residual elements normally ≤ 1.0 % | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on GE300?
Shot-blast and prime — the alloy has no inherent corrosion resistance; paint systems, zinc/phosphate coatings or hot-dip galvanizing are standard, and flame or induction surface hardening can be applied to wear faces.
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 GE300 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.0558
How much does GE300 cost?
GE300 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
GE300 — frequently asked
What is GE300 used for?
GE300 is typically used for gearboxes, structural castings and machine frames. In short: higher-strength cast steel; tough at 330 MPa yield; surface-hardenable wear faces.
What is the yield strength of GE300?
GE300 has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is GE300 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like normalized medium-carbon steel — carbide tools, 120–180 m/min turning; remove the hard casting skin and any sand inclusions with a first roughing pass at reduced feed.
Can GE300 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen electrodes or MAG (E/G 46-class wire); with CEV ≈ 0.45 use 150–250 °C preheat on heavy sections and post-weld stress relief at 580–620 °C, then re-normalize for full-property repair welds.
What surface finishes work on GE300?
Shot-blast and prime — the alloy has no inherent corrosion resistance; paint systems, zinc/phosphate coatings or hot-dip galvanizing are standard, and flame or induction surface hardening can be applied to wear faces.
Can GE300 be formed, bent or molded?
Green-sand, resin-sand or investment casting; feed generously (solidification shrinkage ≈ 2 %) with chills and risers, keep pouring at 1560–1620 °C and avoid abrupt section changes to prevent hot tears.
What is the maximum service temperature of GE300?
GE300 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.
What is the difference between GE300 +N and GE300-AC?
+N is the default condition — standard delivery condition for GE300 castings: uniform fine grain, meets the full 300 MPa proof / 27 J impact specification at moderate cost. AC: only for non-critical, lightly loaded castings — coarse dendritic structure, scattered properties and low impact energy; does not meet EN 10293 acceptance values. Yield strength is 330 MPa in +N versus 290 MPa in AC.
How much does GE300 cost?
GE300 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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 10293 — Steel castings for general engineering uses — CEN (2015)
- DIN 1681 — Cast steels for general purposes (GS-60, superseded) — DIN (1985)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Steel Castings Handbook, 6th ed. — Steel Founders' Society of America / ASM (1995)
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.