Steel TRIP600
TRIP600 (HCT600T) is a transformation-induced-plasticity sheet steel in which retained austenite converts to martensite during forming, giving a high work-hardening rate at 390 MPa yield, 650 MPa tensile and 29 % elongation.
Reference datasheet — TRIP600 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 CR condition
TRIP600 tempers and conditions
TRIP600 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. CR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CRDefault Cold rolled | Standard uncoated cold-rolled coil/sheet for parts that get e-coat or are welded into protected assemblies. | 390 | 650 | 29 | 14 HRC | 6.5 % IACS |
Hot rolled | For chassis/suspension and wheel parts above ~2.5 mm where hot-rolled TRIP with slightly lower elongation is adequate. | 420 | 640 | 25 | 15 HRC | 6.5 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways TRIP600 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
EG | EG | Coating |
GA | GA | Coating |
GI | GI | Coating |
ZM | Hot-dip Zn-Al-Mg coated | Coating |
What is TRIP600?
TRIP600 (HCT600T) is a transformation-induced-plasticity sheet steel in which retained austenite converts to martensite during forming, giving a high work-hardening rate at 390 MPa yield, 650 MPa tensile and 29 % elongation. Engineers choose it when a mild-steel-like draw is needed at roughly twice the strength; it is supplied cold-rolled or hot-rolled and as GI, GA, EG or ZM coated coil. Limits are a narrow spot-weld current window, edge-crack sensitivity at sheared edges, higher press loads and springback than mild steel, and no inherent corrosion resistance. DP600 is the nearest alternative when stretch formability is less critical. TRIP600 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). TRIP600 has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — weaker than 64% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 29% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is TRIP600 used for?
- complex-shaped structural parts
- wheel rims
- seat components
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 84/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 29%, better than 91% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 6.5 % IACS, worse than 77% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
TRIP600 properties
Typical room-temperature values for TRIP600-CR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
TRIP600 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical17
TRIP600 has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — weaker than 64% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 29% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
TRIP600 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 40 W/m·K (23.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 64% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.5 µm/m·K (6.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
TRIP600 conducts electricity at 6.5 % IACS, worse than 77% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TRIP600 takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
TRIP600's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades); weldability good (64/100); formability very good (84/100).
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. TRIP600 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with TRIP600
Is TRIP600 easy to machine?
Rarely machined: blank, laser or fine-blank instead; if drilled/milled use rigid setups, sharp coated carbide and low speed because rapid work hardening and austenite-to-martensite transformation raise cutting forces and edge wear.
Can TRIP600 be welded?
Resistance spot welding is standard but the current/force window is narrow — use longer weld times, post-weld tempering pulses and expect reduced cross-tension ductility; laser and MAG welding work with low-hydrogen, matching-to-undermatched consumables, and zinc-coated versions need LME precautions.
Can TRIP600 be formed, bent or molded?
Exploit the high n-value with stretch-dominant forming; plan 15–25 % higher press tonnage than mild steel, generous draw radii, strong blank-holder control and springback/edge-stretch compensation, and avoid sharp sheared edges to limit delayed and edge cracking.
TRIP600 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 enrichment of retained austenite is essential to the TRIP effect | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.19 |
| Sisuppresses carbide formation during bainitic hold; high Si complicates hot-dip galvanizing | 0.3 – 2 | 1.5 |
| Mnaustenite stabilizer, hardenability | 1 – 2 | 1.6 |
| Alpartial Si substitute in galvanizing-friendly TRIP variants | 0.02 – 1.5 | 0.05 |
| Psome grades use up to ~0.1 % P as carbide suppressor | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Nboptional grain refiner | ≤ 0.06 | 0.02 |
| Tioptional microalloy | ≤ 0.06 | |
| N | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on TRIP600?
Not decorative on its own — hot-dip Zn, galvanneal, electrogalvanize or Zn-Al-Mg plus phosphate and e-coat; paint bake at 170–180 °C also gives a modest bake-hardening yield increase, and avoid acid or cathodic processes that inject hydrogen.
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 TRIP600 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- HCT600T
How much does TRIP600 cost?
TRIP600 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
TRIP600 — frequently asked
What is TRIP600 used for?
TRIP600 is typically used for complex-shaped structural parts, wheel rims and seat components. In short: best stretch formability at 600 MPa; high work-hardening TRIP grade; bake-hardening response after paint.
What is the yield strength of TRIP600?
TRIP600 has a typical yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — weaker than 64% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is TRIP600 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades). Rarely machined: blank, laser or fine-blank instead; if drilled/milled use rigid setups, sharp coated carbide and low speed because rapid work hardening and austenite-to-martensite transformation raise cutting forces and edge wear.
Can TRIP600 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (64/100). Resistance spot welding is standard but the current/force window is narrow — use longer weld times, post-weld tempering pulses and expect reduced cross-tension ductility; laser and MAG welding work with low-hydrogen, matching-to-undermatched consumables, and zinc-coated versions need LME precautions.
What surface finishes work on TRIP600?
Not decorative on its own — hot-dip Zn, galvanneal, electrogalvanize or Zn-Al-Mg plus phosphate and e-coat; paint bake at 170–180 °C also gives a modest bake-hardening yield increase, and avoid acid or cathodic processes that inject hydrogen.
Can TRIP600 be formed, bent or molded?
Exploit the high n-value with stretch-dominant forming; plan 15–25 % higher press tonnage than mild steel, generous draw radii, strong blank-holder control and springback/edge-stretch compensation, and avoid sharp sheared edges to limit delayed and edge cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of TRIP600?
TRIP600 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between TRIP600-CR and TRIP600-HR?
CR is the default condition — standard uncoated cold-rolled coil/sheet for parts that get e-coat or are welded into protected assemblies. HR: for chassis/suspension and wheel parts above ~2.5 mm where hot-rolled TRIP with slightly lower elongation is adequate. Yield strength is 390 MPa in CR versus 420 MPa in HR.
How much does TRIP600 cost?
TRIP600 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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 10346 — Continuously hot-dip coated steel flat products for cold forming — CEN (2015)
- GB/T 20564.4 — Cold rolled high strength steel sheet for automobile, Part 4: TRIP steel — SAC (2010)
- SAE J2745 — High Strength Steel Sheet, TRIP grades — SAE International (2019)
- Advanced High-Strength Steels Application Guidelines v6 — WorldAutoSteel (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- TRIP / DP cold-rolled automotive steel datasheets — ArcelorMittal / voestalpine / thyssenkrupp / Baosteel (2023)
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.