Detailed characteristics of steel grade 60С2А

Chemical composition

In addition to iron, grade 60C2A steel contains about 0.6% carbon, 1.6 to 2% silicon, 0.6 to 0.9% manganese, up to 0.3% chromium, up to 0.25% nickel and up to 0. 2% copper. In addition, impurities of sulfur and phosphorus are allowed in amounts up to 0.025%.

Purpose of alloying components

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon in an amount of up to 2.06%. Increasing the amount of carbon increases sensitivity to heat treatment, hardenability, and the ability to obtain greater strength and hardness. But at the same time, ductility decreases, the metal becomes brittle, unable to withstand shock loads.

In order to balance the properties of the material, simultaneously obtain opposite characteristics (hardness and toughness, strength and corrosion resistance), and reduce the influence of impurities that cannot be completely eliminated, 60C2A steel includes alloying components. They make it possible to neutralize the disadvantages introduced by a high amount of carbon. And in some ways replace it, getting even better results.

Silicon is introduced into the composition for the purpose of deoxidation. Possessing a greater affinity for oxygen than iron, it displaces it from oxides in the melt.

In addition to deoxidation in amounts up to 1%, silicon has a beneficial effect on strength and elasticity.

Manganese, like silicon, displaces iron from oxides. In addition, it prevents the formation of iron sulfides, which increase the tendency to form hardening cracks that occur during thermal hardening of parts with complex shapes.

The inclusion of manganese in the alloy up to 1%, like silicon, increases strength and toughness. In large quantities, it causes grain growth, which reduces strength indicators, in particular the ability to withstand shock loads.

Thus, silicon and manganese mutually complement each other in composition. They work together to increase strength, endurance and toughness. But the reasons leading to increased fragility of the alloy are not allowed to develop.

Chromium, like silicon and manganese, has a greater affinity for oxygen than iron. It helps protect the melt from oxidation and increases hardenability.

Nickel helps protect the alloy from corrosion and, in small quantities, reduces the susceptibility to hardening cracks.

Copper in small (up to 1%) quantities increases strength and resistance to corrosion. At higher concentrations, it leads to the precipitation of intermetallic compounds along grain boundaries, which significantly changes the mechanical properties during tempering.

Comparing the chemical composition and the influence of individual components on the properties of the alloy, it can be assumed that the 60C2A grade should have high strength, elasticity, and impact strength, achieved by observing special heat treatment techniques.

Steel 60S2A spring-spring

Decoding

According to GOST 14959-2016, the number 60 before the letter designation indicates the average mass fraction of carbon in steel in hundredths of a percent, i.e. the average mass fraction of carbon in steel is 0.60%. The letter C means that the steel is alloyed with silicon (Si), and the number 2 indicates the approximate mass fraction of silicon in whole units, i.e. silicon in steel is approximately 2%. The letter A at the end of the steel name means that the steel is high quality, i.e. steel with increased requirements for the chemical composition and macrostructure of metal products made from it compared to high-quality steel.

Substitutes and analogues

60S2N2A, 60S2G, 50HFA.

Foreign analogues

Type of delivery

• long products, including shaped steel, GOST 14959-79, GOST 2590-88, GOST 2591-88, GOST 2879-88, GOST 7419.0-90 - GOST 7419.8-90;
• Calibrated rod GOST 7417-75, GOST 8559-75, GOST 8560-78;
• Tape GOST 2283-79, GOST 21997-76. Strip GOST 103-76, GOST 4405-75;
• Wire GOST 14963-78. Forgings and forged blanks GOST 1133-71, GOST 14959-79;
• Polished rod and silver GOST 7419.0-90 - GOST 7419.8-90, GOST 14955-77;

Characteristics and Application

Steel 60C2A is an alloyed special steel used for the manufacture of the following products:

• heavily loaded springs,
• torsion shafts,
• spring rings,
• collet,
• friction discs,
• Grover washers,
• springs made of strip steel 3-16 mm thick,
• springs made of strip steel with a thickness of 3-18 mm and spring strips with a thickness of 0.08-3 mm,
• twisted springs made of wire with a diameter of 3-12 mm.

Steel is prone to decarburization, is resistant to grain growth, and has deep hardenability. The maximum operating temperature is +250 °C [2], in aircraft construction it is recommended to use steel no higher than a temperature of +200 °C [3].

Conditions for using steel 60S2A for disc springs (GOST 33260-2015)

*After electrochemical coatings, heat treatment (tempering) is required to remove hydrogen embrittlement, as indicated in the design documentation.

Conditions for using steel 60S2A for helical coil springs (GOST 33260-2015)

NOTE. For class II springs, it is allowed to replace rolled grade 60C2A with grade 60C2.

Maximum permissible dimensions of metal products made from steel 60S2A for the manufacture of springs and springs (GOST 14959-2016)

Chemical composition, % (GOST 14959-79)

Chemical composition, % (GOST 14959-2016)

Temperature of critical points, °C [4]

Recommended processing modes for springs made of steel 60S2A [2]

*When bending sheets and hardening with one heating, the temperature rises to 900-950 °C.

Recommended heat treatment [3]

Low annealing at 650-700 °C; hardening from 870±10 °C in oil, tempering at 430-490 °C (HRC 44-48, σв = 155-180 kgf/mm2)

Hardness of metal products made from steel 60S2A as delivered (GOST 14595-2016)

Mechanical properties of metal products during tensile testing (GOST 14595-2016)

NOTE:

1. The mechanical properties of metal products during tensile testing are determined on longitudinal heat-treated samples.
2. During the recommended heat treatment, temperature deviations are allowed:
   hardening — ±15 °С;
3. hardening — ±50 °С;

Mechanical properties of steel of various heats [3]

Mechanical properties of annealed and cold-worked strip made of steel 60S2A (GOST 2283-79)

Mechanical properties

Mechanical properties depending on tempering temperature [5]

NOTE. Hardening at 850 °C in oil; vacation.

Mechanical properties at elevated temperatures

Endurance Limit [6]

Impact strength KCU [10]

Technological properties

• Forging temperature, °C: beginning 1200, end 800. Sections up to 250 mm are cooled in air, sections 251-350 mm are cooled in a pit.
• Weldability - not applicable to welded structures.
• Cutting machinability - Kv tv.spl = 0.70 and Kv b.st = 0.27 in the hot-rolled state at HB 270-320 σw = 1080 MPa.
• Flock sensitivity - not sensitive.
• Tendency to temper brittleness - not prone.

Hardenability (GOST 14959-2016)

Critical diameter d

Density ρп kg/cm3 at test temperature, °С

Linear expansion coefficient α*106, K-1

Thermal conductivity coefficient λ W/(m*K)

Young's modulus (normal elasticity) E, GPa

Modulus of elasticity in torsional shear G, GPa

Specific heat capacity c, J/(kg*K)

Bibliography

1. GOST 33260-2015. Pipeline fittings. Metals used in valve making. Basic requirements for the selection of materials
2. Tylkin M.A. Thermist Repair Service Handbook. 1981
3. Sklyarov N.M. Aviation materials. 1975 Volume 1
4. Brand of steels and alloys. Ed. Sorokina V.G. 1989
5. Brand of steels. CBTI. 1961
6. Rakhstadt A.G. Spring steels and alloys. 1971
7. Brand of steel and alloys. TsNIITmash. 1977
8. Properties of steels and alloys used in boiler and turbine manufacturing. Part 1. TsKTI. 1966
9. Metals and alloys: Reference data on physical and mechanical properties at various temperatures and loading conditions. 1975
10. Solntsev Yu.P., Stepanov G.A. Materials in cryogenic technology. 1982

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Mechanical properties of steel 60С2А

The strength properties of 60C2A are determined by the heat treatment modes performed. Since the interest is in the performance characteristics of the parts, the article does not discuss the performance of steel in castings. They are of practical interest only for technologists of large metalworking enterprises engaged in the production of rolled metal.

Here we will consider the strength indicators of commercial steel in the form of a circle and a strip.

As already mentioned in the general description of the 60C2A brand, optimal performance is achieved by quenching in oil and subsequent tempering in order to relieve internal stresses.

Round steel after quenching and tempering has a tensile strength of 12.7 kg/sq. mm, proof strength 11.7 kg/sq. mm. The proximity of the yield point to the tensile strength indicates the high elastic properties of steel.

The endurance limit of 60C2A with a symmetrical tensile cycle is 49 kg/sq. mm, torsion 29.5 49 kg/sq. mm.

To understand the meaning of these numbers, it is worth remembering that the tensile strength of steel 3 is about 37 kg/sq. mm.

Decoding the brand

The steel grade designation contains a set of letters and numbers, each of which indicates the percentage of elements and their name:

• The mass of carbon, which is expressed in hundredths of a percent;
• One or more letters express the alloying element;
• A fraction of a percent, rounded to the nearest whole number.

Content of elements in steel 60С2А, %:

When choosing a material such as spring steel, it is very important to choose the right chemical composition and mechanical properties. GOST for products made of spring steel is determined by the assortment and a number of other parameters

The chemical composition and properties are influenced by the content of incoming elements:

1. C-carbon determines the structure and characteristics; increased carbon content leads to cold brittleness and reduces viscosity. Plasticity and strength decrease when the carbon content is more than 1%. Carbon influences mechanical properties such as ductility, weldability, and machinability.
2. Si-silicon is a deoxidizing agent and one of the main alloying elements, which promotes wear resistance, thermal hardening, and plays a role in increasing elasticity and fluidity. Affects hardenability.
3. Mn-manganese affects quality by being a deoxidizing agent that is used to remove sulfur, phosphorus and oxygen. It has a beneficial effect on the metal structure and mechanical properties: weldability, malleability.
4. Cr-chrome is an alloying element. Chromium increases resistance to oxidation and corrosion, increases strength at high temperatures, and also increases resistance to abrasive wear.
5. Ni-nickel is an element that increases strength. Nickel increases corrosion resistance, increases the ability to be thermally hardened, and helps increase toughness and strength.
6. Cu-copper increases corrosion resistance and increases strength properties. As the copper content increases, the quality of the surface during hot working deteriorates.
7. S-sulfur is an undesirable element; increasing the sulfur content increases red brittleness and negatively affects ductility, weldability and toughness.
8. P-phosphorus impairs plasticity and viscosity, increases the tendency to cold brittleness. However, increased phosphorus content improves mechanical processing.

Application of grade 60С2А

The scope of use of steel is determined by its properties. Steel 60S2A is widely used for the manufacture of heavily loaded structural elements experiencing alternating loads.

These are various springs, friction discs, Grover washers, spring rings, collets, torsion bars - elastic rods that work in torsion. The latter are found in suspensions of heavy tracked and wheeled vehicles, elastic shafts of multi-threaded gearboxes that transmit high power.

Material properties

Based on the type of temperature treatment, the strength parameters and hardness of the product are determined. The characteristics of spring steel 60C2A in castings, circles and strips are different. In this case, the qualities of the alloy are considered using the last two examples.

The wheels are characterized by a strength of 129 MPa and a yield strength of 117 MPa. This ensures their elasticity. For comparison: the tensile strength of ST3 is 370 MPa. Tensile endurance is 490 MPa, torsional endurance is 295 MPa.

Hardening is most often used as a heat treatment method. It is carried out by cooling in oil, after which tempering is carried out to eliminate residual stresses.

Mechanical characteristics

Mechanical characteristics

Heat treatment of springs 60с2а.

Finding out the reason for this discrepancy is quite difficult, and before answering your question more or less intelligibly, you need to carry out very qualified work.

Based on my own experience, I can say that the most likely reasons could be:

1. Poor quality wire.

The very first step I advise is to carry out a very careful incoming inspection of the wire. How to carry it out is described in detail in GOST for wire, and take several control samples along the length of the coil because the wire can be so bad that its properties can vary along the length within one coil, especially since not all of your springs are equally bad, but only about half, so serious work awaits you.

2. Uneven or incomplete heating of parts for hardening.

Next, I advise you to go to the forge and look more closely at how the heat treatment process occurs. I advise you to clarify how the parts are loaded and how the temperature is controlled. If everything is by eye, there are no further questions.

3. Cooling when transferring parts from the furnace to the quenching tank.

When transferred from the furnace to the oil, parts may cool below their hardening temperature. If the parts are carried to the quenching tank for a long time and they are poured on a shovel haphazardly, or something like that, the cooling will be unpredictable and the result is that half of the parts are unusable. In this case, no decarburization will occur and do not think about it, it can occur during heating for quenching, or earlier, during the manufacture of wire. Since your springs are heated for quenching for a relatively short time, there will not be much decarburization that affects the operation of the spring (don’t forget that the diameter of the wire is not so small, 6 mm), therefore it’s all about the wire. To put all the finishing touches on the issue of decarburization, let one of the metallurgists make a thin section and look through a microscope, and this must be done before and after calcination, and again, several samples must be taken along the length of the coil.

4. Uneven cooling in the quenching environment.

We need to look at the process. If they throw ropes into the oil with a shovel, then there are no questions.

I advise you not to worry too much about the washing process and the composition of the quenching oil, they usually heat it in industrial oil and wash it in an aqueous solution of Lobomid and there are no problems, everything heats up perfectly and is washed to a shine. Moreover, you only have half of the defects; if the brand of oil and its composition were important, there would be about 100% defects.

In any case, you need to thoroughly study the heat treatment process directly on site. Then write here in more detail. We will be guessing on tea leaves and getting confused in guesses here for a very long time. Heat treatment of springs is one of the most complex thermal processes, that’s for sure.

Analogs of steel 60S2A

The following can be used as analogues of the material:

• Japanese SUP6, SUP7;
• German 60MnSiCr4, 60SiCr7, 65Si7;
• Chinese 0Si2Mn;
• French 61SiCr7;
• American steels 9260, G92600.

quote: Originally posted by TENCH:

As I understand it, its properties are closer to ShKh15 than to 65G?

quote: Originally posted by GAU-8A:

Why did it happen? 60С2А spring-spring class, Lord, is it really so difficult to google?!

Read also:  Steel grades. Decoding. Letter designations of alloying elements. Groups of steel grades

Those. closer to 65G? Is there any point in making “metal”?