FabDigitFabDigit

Steel T15 QT-60-62

Hardness band

AISI/SAE T15 · UNS T12015 · EN 1.3202 · JIS SKH10 · GB W12Cr4V5Co5

QT-60-62 = hardened & triple tempered to 60–62 HRC

Lower austenitizing / higher temper for interrupted cuts, punches and cold-work tooling where chipping is the risk.

High cost $$$$

Values for the QT-60-62 condition

Other T15 tempers and conditions

T15 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at T15.

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
ANNDefault
Annealed
Standard as-supplied stock condition for machining tool blanks before hardening.5008301224 HRC21 W/m·K
QT-60-62This page
Hardened & triple tempered to 60–62 HRC
Lower austenitizing / higher temper for interrupted cuts, punches and cold-work tooling where chipping is the risk.—2,100161 HRC23 W/m·K
Hardened & triple tempered to 65–67 HRC
High austenitizing temperature for peak hardness and red hardness in abrasive, continuous cuts; lowest toughness.—2,2000.366 HRC—
Hardened & triple tempered to 63–65 HRC
Austenitize ~1210–1230 °C, quench, triple temper 540–560 °C — the usual working hardness for cutting tools.—2,3000.564 HRC24 W/m·K
Powder-metallurgy T15 (CPM T15 type), hardened 65–67 HRC
Choose PM route for fine, uniform vanadium carbides — much better toughness, grindability and dimensional stability at equal hardness.—2,500—66 HRC—

What is T15 QT-60-62?

T15 QT-60-62 is T15 heat treated to QT-60-62 — lower austenitizing / higher temper for interrupted cuts, punches and cold-work tooling where chipping is the risk. T15 QT-60-62 has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 222 GPa (32.2 Msi). T15 QT-60-62 has a density of 8.19 g/cm³ (0.296 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of steel grades. It melts at 1,230°C (2,246 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT-60-62 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High service temperature — 590°C (1,094 °F), better than 97% of steel grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 6/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Limited formability — 2/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Low electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades

T15 QT-60-62 properties

Typical room-temperature values for T15 QT-60-62; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are T15 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

T15 QT-60-62 has a density of 8.19 g/cm³ (0.296 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of steel grades. It melts at 1,230°C (2,246 °F).

Density8.19 g/cm³0.3 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,230°C2,246 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,420°C2,588 °F

Mechanical13

T15 QT-60-62 has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 222 GPa (32.2 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus222 GPa32.2 Msi
Shear Modulus84 GPa12.2 Msi
Bulk Modulus165 GPa23.9 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)2,100 MPa305 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)500 MPa72.5 ksi
Elongation at Break1%
Reduction in Area22%
Compressive Strength3,100 MPa450 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)6 J4.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell255 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C61 HRC
Hardness, Vickers745 HV

Thermal6

T15 QT-60-62 is rated for continuous service to 590°C (1,094 °F). It conducts heat at 23 W/m·K (13.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.2 µm/m·K (6.22 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity23 W/m·K13.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity420 J/kg·K0.1 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.2 µm/m·K6.2 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)590°C1,094 °F
Min Service Temperature-60°C-76 °F

Electrical3

T15 QT-60-62 conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity2.7 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity6.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m25.6 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.55 V
Corrosion ResistancePoor15/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts readily in humid air and water; needs oil, wax or coating in storage. Attacked by acids and chlorides; acceptable in dry hydrocarbons, cutting oils and neutral coolants with corrosion inhibitors.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of T15 QT-60-62 takes about 52 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — more than 94% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)52 MJ/kg22,356 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)3.8 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water80 L/kg9.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

T15 QT-60-62's machinability is not recommended (6/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (2/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended6/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)5%
WeldabilityNot recommended10/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended2/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair45/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use black oxide, steam-oxide, nitriding or PVD (TiN/TiAlN) coatings instead

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

Working with T15 QT-60-62

Is T15 easy to machine?

Machine only in the annealed condition with rigid setups, low speeds and cobalt-HSS or coated-carbide tooling; the 5% V carbides also make grinding slow — use CBN or friable SG alumina wheels.

Can T15 be welded?

Not a structural weld metal; repair-weld only with matching HSS filler, 500–550 °C preheat/interpass and immediate re-temper.

Can T15 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot-work only (forge 1100–1150 °C, stop above 950 °C, slow cool then anneal 870–900 °C); no cold forming.

What surface finishes work on T15?

Salt-bath nitride, steam oxide, black oxide or PVD TiN/TiAlN after final grinding; oil or VCI protect since the 4% Cr gives no stainless behaviour.

T15 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
Csome producers supply 1.45–1.601.5 – 1.61.55
W11.75 – 1312.25
Cr3.75 – 54.25
Vprimary MC carbide former4.5 – 5.255
Cored-hardness booster4.75 – 5.255
Mooptional/residual≤ 10.5
Mn0.15 – 0.40.28
Si0.15 – 0.40.28
P≤ 0.03—
S≤ 0.03—
Febalance—

T15 QT-60-62 — frequently asked

What is T15 QT-60-62 used for?

T15 QT-60-62 is typically used for high-production cutting tools, form tools, punches for abrasive materials and heavy-duty lathe tools. In short: highest wear resistance HSS; cobalt red-hardness grade; hardest to grind.

What is the yield strength of T15 QT-60-62?

T15 QT-60-62 has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is T15 QT-60-62 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (6/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed condition with rigid setups, low speeds and cobalt-HSS or coated-carbide tooling; the 5% V carbides also make grinding slow — use CBN or friable SG alumina wheels.

Can T15 QT-60-62 be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Not a structural weld metal; repair-weld only with matching HSS filler, 500–550 °C preheat/interpass and immediate re-temper.

What surface finishes work on T15 QT-60-62?

Salt-bath nitride, steam oxide, black oxide or PVD TiN/TiAlN after final grinding; oil or VCI protect since the 4% Cr gives no stainless behaviour.

Can T15 QT-60-62 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot-work only (forge 1100–1150 °C, stop above 950 °C, slow cool then anneal 870–900 °C); no cold forming.

What is the maximum service temperature of T15 QT-60-62?

T15 QT-60-62 is rated for continuous use to about 590°C (1,094 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. ASTM A600 — Standard Specification for Tool Steel High Speed — ASTM International (2016)
  2. GB/T 9943 (W12Cr4V5Co5) (2008)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
  4. Tool Steels, 5th ed. — ASM International (1998)
  5. CPM T15 / T15 high speed steel data sheets — Crucible Industries / Böhler-Uddeholm (2020)
  6. JIS G4403 SKH10 / EN ISO 4957 HS12-1-5-5 (1.3202) — JISC / ISO (2018)

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.