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Steel GE320 +NT (Normalized and tempered)

Heat-treated state

EN 1.0591

Use when the normalized casting needs residual stresses removed and slightly better toughness at the same strength level.

Standard cost $$

Values for the +NT condition

Other GE320 tempers and conditions

GE320 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at GE320.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Annealed
Pick for maximum machinability and lowest hardness before final heat treatment of the finished casting.300590176 HRC9.8 % IACS
Spheroidize annealed
Lowest-cost condition for non-critical, lightly loaded castings where property scatter and residual stress are acceptable.320620811 HRC9.5 % IACS
Stress relieved
Choose when dimensional stability after heavy welding or machining matters more than a strength upgrade.3306301011 HRC9.5 % 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.3606601313 HRC9.5 % IACS
+NTThis page
Normalized and tempered
Use when the normalized casting needs residual stresses removed and slightly better toughness at the same strength level.3706501512 HRC9.5 % 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.4807601421 HRC—

What is GE320 +NT?

GE320 +NT is GE320 heat treated to +NT — use when the normalized casting needs residual stresses removed and slightly better toughness at the same strength level. GE320 +NT has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi). GE320 +NT 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). +N is the default condition FabDigit quotes; +NT is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High electrical conductivity — 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited formability — 17/100, worse than 84% of steel grades

GE320 +NT properties

Typical room-temperature values for GE320 +NT; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are GE320 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

GE320 +NT 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).

Density7.83 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,420°C2,588 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,490°C2,714 °F

Mechanical17

GE320 +NT has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus207 GPa30 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)650 MPa94.3 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)370 MPa53.7 ksi
Elongation at Break15%
Reduction in Area30%
Compressive Strength650 MPa94.3 ksi
Shear Strength395 MPa57.3 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)280 MPa40.6 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)68 MPa·√m61.9 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)27 J19.9 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell190 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B91 HRB
Hardness, Rockwell C12 HRC
Hardness, Vickers200 HV

Thermal6

GE320 +NT 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).

Thermal Conductivity47 W/m·K27.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)400°C752 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

GE320 +NT conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity9.5 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.09 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.61 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended11/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in moist air, water and chlorides; acceptable in dry environments, oils and neutral greases; requires paint, zinc or phosphate coating for outdoor or wet service; attacked by all acids.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of GE320 +NT takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content85%

Manufacturability7

GE320 +NT's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability fair (46/100); formability poor (17/100).

MachinabilityFair52/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)57%
WeldabilityFair46/100
Formability (cold)Poor17/100
CastabilityGood62/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair50/100
PolishabilityGood55/100

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

Working with GE320 +NT

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CEN 10293 leaves C/Si/Mn to the producer; value shown is the typical foundry aim to reach ReH ≥ 320 MPa0.28 – 0.450.35
Si0.2 – 0.60.45
Mn0.5 – 1.20.9
Pstandard limit≤ 0.030.02
Sstandard limit≤ 0.030.02
Crresidual≤ 0.30.1
Niresidual≤ 0.40.15
Moresidual≤ 0.150.04
Curesidual≤ 0.30.15
Febalance—

GE320 +NT — frequently asked

What is GE320 +NT used for?

GE320 +NT 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 +NT?

GE320 +NT has a typical yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is GE320 +NT easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% 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 +NT be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (46/100). 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 +NT?

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 +NT 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 +NT?

GE320 +NT 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.

Sources

  1. EN 10293 — Steel castings for general engineering uses — CEN (2015)
  2. DIN 1681 — Cast steels for general engineering purposes (GS-38…GS-60, superseded) — DIN (1985)
  3. GB/T 11352 — Carbon steel castings for general engineering purpose (ZG230-450…ZG340-640) — SAC (2009)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (cast carbon steels) — ASM International (1990)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.15 — Casting — ASM International (2008)
  6. Machinery's Handbook (machinability ratings) — Industrial Press (2020)

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.