Steel GE320
EN 1.0591
GE320 (1.0591) is the higher-carbon member of the general engineering cast carbon steel series, supplied as-cast, stress-relieved, annealed, normalized, normalized-and-tempered or quenched-and-tempered.
Reference datasheet — GE320 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
GE320 tempers and conditions
GE320 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. +N is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum machinability and lowest hardness before final heat treatment of the finished casting. | 300 | 590 | 17 | 6 HRC | 9.8 % IACS |
Spheroidize annealed | Lowest-cost condition for non-critical, lightly loaded castings where property scatter and residual stress are acceptable. | 320 | 620 | 8 | 11 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Choose when dimensional stability after heavy welding or machining matters more than a strength upgrade. | 330 | 630 | 10 | 11 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
+NDefault Normalized | Standard supply condition that meets the EN 10293 GE320 minimums with a uniform fine pearlitic structure — default choice for general machine castings. | 360 | 660 | 13 | 13 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
Normalized and tempered | Use when the normalized casting needs residual stresses removed and slightly better toughness at the same strength level. | 370 | 650 | 15 | 12 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Specify for the highest strength and best strength/toughness balance in thick, heavily loaded sections; section size limits hardenability of an unalloyed grade. | 480 | 760 | 14 | 21 HRC | — |
What is GE320?
GE320 (1.0591) is the higher-carbon member of the general engineering cast carbon steel series, supplied as-cast, stress-relieved, annealed, normalized, normalized-and-tempered or quenched-and-tempered. It delivers 360 MPa yield, 660 MPa tensile, 13 % elongation and about 195 HB in the default condition, which suits heavily loaded machine and structural castings. Ductility, machinability and weldability all fall relative to GE300, and with CEV around 0.5 it is not a first choice for heavily welded structures — G20Mn5 is the better weldable alternative. Service is limited to 400 °C with no corrosion resistance. GE320 has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). GE320 has a yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — weaker than 72% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is GE320 used for?
- Heavy machine bases
- Crusher components
- Structural castings
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 82% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 13%, worse than 78% of steel grades
GE320 properties
Typical room-temperature values for GE320-+N; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
GE320 has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical17
GE320 has a yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — weaker than 72% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
GE320 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 47 W/m·K (27.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
GE320 conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of GE320 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability7
GE320's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); 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. GE320 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with GE320
Is GE320 easy to machine?
Machines like normalized 1035–1040 steel at roughly 55 % of 1212; use rigid setups and carbide inserts, and allow for hard skin/sand inclusions on unblasted surfaces.
Can GE320 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen electrodes but the ~0.5 CEV demands 150–250 °C preheat, controlled interpass temperature and post-weld stress relief; not a first choice for heavily welded structures (use G20Mn5 instead).
Can GE320 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or shell cast with generous 2 % shrinkage allowance, large risers and directional solidification; hot straightening only, no cold forming.
GE320 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 10293 leaves C/Si/Mn to the producer; value shown is the typical foundry aim to reach ReH ≥ 320 MPa | 0.28 – 0.45 | 0.35 |
| Si | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 1.2 | 0.9 |
| Pstandard limit | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Sstandard limit | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.4 | 0.15 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.15 | 0.04 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on GE320?
Shot-blast then paint, zinc-rich primer, phosphate or hard chrome; can be flame- or induction-hardened locally, and takes a fair polish once porosity is avoided.
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 GE320 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.0591
How much does GE320 cost?
GE320 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.
GE320 — frequently asked
What is GE320 used for?
GE320 is typically used for heavy machine bases, crusher components and structural castings. In short: strongest of the GE series; heavy-load structural castings; limited weldability, higher CEV.
What is the yield strength of GE320?
GE320 has a typical yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — weaker than 72% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is GE320 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades). Machines like normalized 1035–1040 steel at roughly 55 % of 1212; use rigid setups and carbide inserts, and allow for hard skin/sand inclusions on unblasted surfaces.
Can GE320 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen electrodes but the ~0.5 CEV demands 150–250 °C preheat, controlled interpass temperature and post-weld stress relief; not a first choice for heavily welded structures (use G20Mn5 instead).
What surface finishes work on GE320?
Shot-blast then paint, zinc-rich primer, phosphate or hard chrome; can be flame- or induction-hardened locally, and takes a fair polish once porosity is avoided.
Can GE320 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or shell cast with generous 2 % shrinkage allowance, large risers and directional solidification; hot straightening only, no cold forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of GE320?
GE320 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 GE320 +N and GE320-AC?
+N is the default condition — standard supply condition that meets the EN 10293 GE320 minimums with a uniform fine pearlitic structure — default choice for general machine castings. AC: lowest-cost condition for non-critical, lightly loaded castings where property scatter and residual stress are acceptable. Yield strength is 360 MPa in +N versus 320 MPa in AC.
How much does GE320 cost?
GE320 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 engineering purposes (GS-38…GS-60, superseded) — DIN (1985)
- GB/T 11352 — Carbon steel castings for general engineering purpose (ZG230-450…ZG340-640) — SAC (2009)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (cast carbon steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.15 — Casting — ASM International (2008)
- Machinery's Handbook (machinability ratings) — Industrial Press (2020)
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.