Overview
SAE/AISI 1060 Steel is a high-carbon steel containing approximately 0.55–0.65% carbon, offering excellent hardness, wear resistance, fatigue strength, and heat treatment performance.
Compared with SAE 1045 and SAE 1050, 1060 steel provides significantly higher hardness and wear resistance after heat treatment, making it suitable for springs, knives, wear-resistant components, hand tools, agricultural equipment, and power transmission parts.
SAE 1060 is commonly used in:
- Springs
- Blades & Knives
- Wear Parts
- Industrial Machinery
- Agricultural Equipment
- Hand Tools
- Rail Components
- Power Transmission Parts
Because of its excellent hardenability and durability, SAE 1060 is widely used in applications requiring a combination of strength, toughness, and wear resistance.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | SAE/AISI 1060 |
| Standard | ASTM / SAE / AISI |
| UNS Number | G10600 |
| Material Family | High Carbon Steel |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Magnetic Property | Magnetic |
| Standard Forms | Bar, Plate, Strip, Wire, Forgings |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
| Carbon (C) | 0.55–0.65 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.60–0.90 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤0.35 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.040 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.050 |
The elevated carbon content significantly enhances hardness and wear resistance.
Mechanical Properties
Normalized Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 700–900 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 400–550 MPa |
| Elongation | 10–16% |
| Hardness | 190–255 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | 200 GPa |
Quenched & Tempered Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 900–1200 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 650–900 MPa |
| Hardness | 35–50 HRC |
| Impact Toughness | Moderate |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1400–1470°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 48 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.17 μΩ·m |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 11.0 × 10⁻⁶/K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 486 J/kg·K |
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Indoor Environment | Moderate |
| Dry Atmosphere | Good |
| Humid Environment | Poor |
| Outdoor Environment | Poor |
| Marine Environment | Very Poor |
| Chemical Environment | Poor |
SAE 1060 is highly susceptible to corrosion and generally requires protective coatings.
Recommended surface treatments:
- Black Oxide
- Zinc Plating
- Nickel Plating
- Hard Chrome Plating
- Phosphate Coating
- Powder Coating
- Oil Coating
Weldability
| Welding Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| MIG Welding | Fair |
| TIG Welding | Fair |
| Arc Welding | Fair |
| Resistance Welding | Fair |
| Spot Welding | Poor |
Because of its high carbon content, SAE 1060 has limited weldability and often requires:
- Preheating
- Controlled Cooling
- Post-Weld Heat Treatment
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Turning | Good |
| CNC Milling | Good |
| Drilling | Moderate |
| Grinding | Excellent |
| Threading | Good |
| Broaching | Moderate |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| 1018 | Excellent |
| 1020 | Excellent |
| 1045 | Good–Excellent |
| 1050 | Good |
| 1060 | Moderate–Good |
| 4140 | Good |
Heat Treatment
Annealing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 790–870°C |
| Cooling Method | Furnace Cool |
Normalizing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 870–920°C |
| Cooling Method | Air Cool |
Quenching
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 800–830°C |
| Cooling Medium | Water or Oil |
Tempering
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 150–650°C |
| Purpose | Toughness & Hardness Adjustment |
Induction Hardening
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Hardness | 55–62 HRC |
| Hardened Depth | 1–8 mm |
SAE 1060 exhibits excellent response to induction hardening and through hardening.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| SAE / AISI (USA) | 1060 |
| ASTM (USA) | ASTM A29 Grade 1060 |
| UNS | G10600 |
| GB/T (China) | 60# Steel |
| JIS (Japan) | S60C |
| EN (Europe) | C60E |
| DIN (Germany) | C60 |
| ISO | C60 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Round Bar | Yes |
| Flat Bar | Yes |
| Steel Plate | Yes |
| Spring Steel Strip | Yes |
| Wire Rod | Yes |
| Forging Stock | Yes |
| Precision Ground Bar | Yes |
| Tool Blanks | Yes |
Typical Applications
Spring Manufacturing
- Coil Springs
- Leaf Springs
- Flat Springs
- Industrial Springs
Power Transmission Industry
- Gears
- Sprockets
- Shafts
- Drive Components
Agricultural Equipment
- Tillage Components
- Wear Parts
- Drive Systems
Tool Manufacturing
- Hand Tools
- Cutting Tools
- Clamps
- Tool Holders
Industrial Machinery
- Rollers
- Pins
- Bushings
- Wear Components
Rail & Transportation
- Rail Clips
- Fastening Systems
- Mechanical Components
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Turning | Good |
| CNC Milling | Good |
| Grinding | Excellent |
| Heat Treatment | Outstanding |
| Induction Hardening | Outstanding |
| Forging | Excellent |
| Laser Cutting | Good |
| Hard Chrome Plating | Excellent |
| Black Oxide | Excellent |
Advantages
High Hardness
Provides excellent wear resistance.
Excellent Heat Treatment Response
Suitable for through hardening and induction hardening.
Good Fatigue Strength
Ideal for dynamic and cyclic loading applications.
Outstanding Wear Resistance
Suitable for gears, springs, and wear parts.
Cost Effective
Lower cost than alloy steels with similar hardness.
Widely Available
Commonly stocked globally.
Limitations
Lower Weldability
Requires careful welding procedures.
Reduced Machinability
More difficult to machine than lower-carbon steels.
Poor Corrosion Resistance
Requires surface protection.
Lower Toughness Than Alloy Steels
Not suitable for extremely high-impact applications.
Comparison with Other Carbon Steels
| Property | 1060 | 1050 | 1045 | 1075 | 4140 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Content | 0.60% | 0.50% | 0.45% | 0.75% | 0.40% |
| Hardness Potential | Excellent | Very High | High | Exceptional | Outstanding |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| Weldability | Fair | Fair | Good | Poor | Moderate |
| Toughness | Good | Good | Better | Moderate | Excellent |
Comparison with Engineering Materials
| Material | Yield Strength | Hardness Potential | Wear Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAE 1060 | 650–900 MPa | 62 HRC | Excellent |
| SAE 1050 | 550–750 MPa | 60 HRC | Excellent |
| SAE 1045 | 550–700 MPa | 58 HRC | Very Good |
| 4140 Alloy Steel | 655–950 MPa | 60 HRC | Outstanding |
| 4340 Alloy Steel | 740–1080 MPa | 62 HRC | Outstanding |
| D2 Tool Steel | 700–1100 MPa | 62 HRC | Exceptional |
Available Surface Finishes
Raw Finishes
- Hot Rolled Finish
- Cold Drawn Finish
- Ground Finish
- Precision Turned Finish
Protective Finishes
- Black Oxide
- Zinc Plating
- Nickel Plating
- Hard Chrome Plating
- Phosphate Coating
- Oil Coating
Decorative Finishes
- Powder Coating
- Spray Painting
- Electrophoretic Coating (E-Coating)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is SAE 1060 steel?
SAE 1060 is a high-carbon steel known for its excellent hardness, wear resistance, fatigue strength, and heat treatment capability.
What is SAE 1060 used for?
Typical applications include:
- Springs
- Gears
- Sprockets
- Wear Parts
- Agricultural Equipment
- Industrial Machinery
What is the difference between SAE 1060 and SAE 1050?
| Property | SAE 1060 | SAE 1050 |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Content | Higher | Lower |
| Hardness | Higher | Lower |
| Wear Resistance | Better | Excellent |
| Toughness | Slightly Lower | Better |
Is SAE 1060 suitable for springs?
Yes. SAE 1060 is widely used in spring manufacturing because of its excellent fatigue strength and elasticity.
Can SAE 1060 be induction hardened?
Yes. Surface hardness can reach 55–62 HRC after induction hardening.
Is SAE 1060 good for gears?
Yes. It is commonly used for medium-duty gears, sprockets, and wear-resistant components.
Can SAE 1060 be welded?
Yes, but welding requires preheating and post-weld heat treatment to reduce cracking risk.
What hardness can SAE 1060 achieve?
- Quenched & Tempered: 35–50 HRC
- Induction Hardened: 55–62 HRC
Why is SAE 1060 widely used in industrial equipment?
Because it combines:
- High Strength
- Excellent Wear Resistance
- Good Fatigue Performance
- Heat Treatability
- Cost Efficiency
making it ideal for power transmission and wear applications.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for SAE 1060?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- CNC Turning
- CNC Milling
- Gear Manufacturing
- Spring Component Manufacturing
- Induction Hardening
- Quenching & Tempering
- Precision Grinding
- Hard Chrome Plating
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production