AK Steel ASTM A 1011, Class 2 Formable, Grade 60F Hot Rolled Carbon Steel, Medium/High Strength Low Alloy Steel (HSLA-F)

AK Steel ASTM A 1011, Class 2 Formable, Grade 60F Hot Rolled Carbon Steel, Medium/High Strength Low Alloy Steel (HSLA-F) Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: AK Steel ASTM A 1011, Class 2 Formable, Grade 60F Hot Rolled Carbon Steel, Medium/High Strength Low Alloy Steel (HSLA-F) Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

AK Steel ASTM A 1011, Class 2 Formable, Grade 60F Hot Rolled Carbon Steel, Medium/High Strength Low Alloy Steel (HSLA-F) Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: **Product Name:** AK Steel ASTM A1011, Class 2 Formable, Grade 60F Hot-Rolled High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel (Improved Formability) --- ### **1. Overview** AK Steel's ASTM A1011 **Grade 60F, Class 2 Formable** is an advanced high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel engineered to achieve the challenging combination of a **60 ksi (415 MPa) minimum yield strength** with **significantly improved formability**, as denoted by the **"F" (Improved Formability) suffix**. This grade represents a specialized metallurgical solution where strength is primarily achieved through solid-solution strengthening and fine grain structure, rather than intensive precipitation hardening. It is designed for components that require the highest structural efficiency of 60 ksi strength but must also undergo more demanding forming operations—such as deeper draws, tighter bends, or more complex shapes—than would be feasible with a standard Grade 60K steel. --- ### **2. International Standards** This product conforms to the following standard, meeting specific requirements for improved formability at high strength: * **ASTM A1011 / A1011M:** Standard Specification for Steel, Sheet and Strip, Hot-Rolled, Carbon, Structural, High-Strength Low-Alloy and High-Strength Low-Alloy with **Improved Formability**. * **Grade:** 60F. The "F" specifically indicates membership in the "Improved Formability" category, which has distinct property targets separate from the "K" (microalloyed) grades. * **Formability Class:** **Class 2.** For 60F, Class 2 defines its standard structural formability level, but the inherent "F" chemistry provides demonstrably better forming characteristics than a 60K grade at the same class. --- ### **3. Chemical Composition (Typical, % by Weight)** The 60F chemistry is a carefully balanced, **ultra-low carbon, high-manganese system**, often utilizing advanced steelmaking and Thermomechanical Controlled Processing (TMCP) for grain refinement. | Element | Content (Typical / Maximum) | Role & Implication | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Carbon (C)** | 0.06% - 0.12% max | Kept at an ultra-low level to maximize ductility, weldability, and formability. This is the foundational element for "F" grade performance. | | **Manganese (Mn)** | 1.50% - 1.85% | **Primary strengthening element.** High manganese provides substantial solid-solution strengthening and hardenability while maintaining a more formable matrix than precipitation-dominated systems. | | **Phosphorus (P)** | 0.025% max | Very tightly controlled to preserve toughness and formability. | | **Sulfur (S)** | 0.010% max (Calcium-treated) | Ultra-low sulfur with calcium treatment is standard to ensure excellent through-thickness properties and prevent hot shortness during forming. | | **Silicon (Si)** | 0.10% - 0.40% | Deoxidizer. | | **Aluminum (Al), Total** | 0.010% min | Essential grain refiner. Critical for achieving the fine-grained structure that provides both strength and ductility. | | **Niobium (Nb) / Vanadium (V)** | **Minimal or absent** | **Key Distinction from 60K:** The "F" grade philosophy minimizes strong carbide-forming microalloys to avoid intense precipitation hardening, which can impede formability. Strength comes from Mn and grain size. | | **Nitrogen (N)** | Tightly Controlled | Managed to optimize grain refinement without forming detrimental nitrides. | | **Key Characteristic:** | **High-Manganese, Ultra-Low Carbon Solid Solution Steel.** The strength is derived from a fine-grained ferritic microstructure strengthened by dissolved manganese, resulting in a more uniform and ductile deformation behavior compared to heavily precipitation-hardened grades. | | --- ### **4. Physical & Mechanical Properties** The properties reflect a high-strength steel with a more formable stress-strain curve. | Property | Specification Minimum (ASTM A1011, Grade 60F, Class 2) | Typical Value / Description | Comparison vs. 60K | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Yield Strength (min)** | 60 ksi (415 MPa) | 60-68 ksi. | **Same** | | **Tensile Strength** | 75 ksi min (520 MPa) | 75-85 ksi. | **Typically lower and with a tighter upper limit**, resulting in a more favorable ratio. | | **Yield-to-Tensile Ratio (Y/T)** | **Lower than standard 60K** | Typically 0.80 - 0.85. This lower ratio is a critical metric for improved formability, allowing for greater uniform elongation before necking initiates. | **Superior for forming** | | **Elongation in 2" (min)** | **Higher than standard 60K** (e.g., 17-20% min) | Typically meets or exceeds minimums, often 18-22%. Provides more usable ductility for forming operations. | **Better ductility** | | **Total Elongation** | Higher | More elongation is available for stretching and drawing complex shapes. | **Better for stretch-forming** | | **Strain Hardening Exponent (n-value)** | Higher | Promotes more uniform metal flow during stretching, reducing risk of localized thinning. | **Better for forming** | | **Modulus of Elasticity** | 29,000 ksi (200 GPa) | | Same | | **Notch Toughness** | **Good to Very Good.** The fine-grained structure provides reliable impact resistance. However, it may not reach the **ultimate toughness levels** of an optimally processed, microalloyed 60K with a beneficial acicular ferrite microstructure. | | Generally Comparable | --- ### **5. Key Features & Advantages** * **Optimized Formability at 60 ksi Strength:** The primary advantage. Enables the fabrication of more complex parts from 60 ksi material than previously possible, bridging the gap between high strength and manufacturability. * **Excellent Weldability:** The ultra-low carbon equivalent ensures excellent weldability with reduced preheat requirements compared to many other methods of achieving 60 ksi strength. * **Predictable Forming Behavior:** Offers a more consistent and forgiving forming response than heavily precipitation-hardened grades, which can be prone to springback and edge cracking. * **Weight Reduction with Fabricability:** Allows designers to utilize 60 ksi strength for lightweighting while still having a practical path for component manufacturing. --- ### **6. Product Applications** Grade 60F is specified for high-strength components where forming is a critical part of the manufacturing process. * **Automotive Safety & Chassis:** Door intrusion beams, bumper systems, and subframe components that require 60 ksi strength for crashworthiness and must be stamped into complex shapes. * **Heavy Equipment & Cab Structures:** Formed ROPS (Roll-Over Protective Structures) components, cab frames, and structural panels in excavators, loaders, and agricultural machinery. * **Commercial Vehicle Components:** Formed crossmembers, brackets, and reinforced sections in truck and trailer frames. * **Material Handling Equipment:** Complexly formed parts for high-capacity forklift masts, loader arms, and automated system frames. * **Defense & Transportation:** Structural components for tactical vehicles and specialized transport equipment where strength-to-weight and formability are both critical. --- ### **7. Fabrication & Processing Notes** * **Forming:** **Suitable for cold forming, but requires care and powerful tooling.** Recommended for **moderate bending and forming operations**. **Minimum bend radii are typically 3.5x to 4.5x material thickness**—an improvement over 60K. **Springback is significant but more predictable** than in precipitation-hardened grades. Not recommended for severe deep drawing. * **Welding:** **Very good weldability for its strength level.** Use low-hydrogen processes (GMAW with 90/10 Ar/CO₂, FCAW). **Preheat (150-250°F / 65-120°C) is recommended** for thicknesses over 0.5". Use matching-strength, high-toughness filler metals (e.g., 80-90 ksi tensile). * **Cutting:** Plasma and laser cutting are ideal. Shearing requires high tonnage. * **Selection Guide:** * Use **60F** when you need **60 ksi yield strength and have moderate forming requirements** (complex bends, moderate stamping). It offers a better formability guarantee than 60K. * Use **60K Class 2** when you need **60 ksi strength for primarily welded or simply bent structural members** and may prioritize ultimate toughness or are less concerned with formability. * Use **60K Class 1** if it is available, for the **most severe forming operations at 60 ksi**, though this is a very specialized product. --- **Disclaimer:** *This profile is a technical summary. AK Steel is now part of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.* Grade 60F is a specialized product. Always consult the latest official **ASTM A1011** specification and the certified **Mill Test Report (MTR)**. The "F" designation is specific and must be explicitly stated on purchase orders: **"ASTM A1011, Grade 60F."** Review MTR data for tensile strength and elongation to confirm the improved forming characteristics. Prototyping for forming and welding is strongly recommended before full-scale production. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: AK Steel ASTM A 1011, Class 2 Formable, Grade 60F Hot Rolled Carbon Steel, Medium/High Strength Low Alloy Steel (HSLA-F) Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <4603 mm Size:We can customized as required Standard： Per your request or drawing We can customized as required Properties（Theoretical） Chemical Composition -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: AK Steel ASTM A 1011, Class 2 Formable, Grade 60F Hot Rolled Carbon Steel, Medium/High Strength Low Alloy Steel (HSLA-F) Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of AK Steel ASTM A 1011, Class 2 Formable, Grade 60F Hot Rolled Carbon Steel, Medium/High Strength Low Alloy Steel (HSLA-F) -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers AK Steel ASTM A 1011, Class 2 Formable, Grade 60F Hot Rolled Carbon Steel, Medium/High Strength Low Alloy Steel (HSLA-F) -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of AK Steel ASTM A 1011, Class 2 Formable, Grade 60F Hot Rolled Carbon Steel, Medium/High Strength Low Alloy Steel (HSLA-F) -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Standard Packing: -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and steel drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 1074 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request. E FORUs’ is carefully handled to minimize damage during storage and transportation and to preserve the quality of our products in their original condition