Carbon & Structural Steels Official identity plus engineering analysis
Material / Grade
1.8639
S960QH
1.8639 / S960QH is independently listed in the official European steel material-number register; property indices and designation-derived chemistry are clearly labelled screening guidance.
Steel Overview
Complete introduction and metallurgical analysis
1.8639 / S960QH belongs to Carbon & Structural Steels and selection centres on availability, fabrication response and a practical strength-to-cost balance.
1.8639 / S960QH is independently listed in the official European steel material-number register; property indices and designation-derived chemistry are clearly labelled screening guidance.
No sourced numerical composition range is stored; use the product standard and heat-specific MTC.
The expected microstructure is ferrite-pearlite or a normalised/heat-treated structure appropriate to carbon level and product route; delivery condition, section size, melt quality and processing history can change that state.
Comparison indices are hardness 40/100, toughness 72/100, impact 71/100, wear 37/100 and bending 65/100. These are internal indices, not standard test results.
The screening temperature range is -20–250 °C; strength or hardness loss, oxidation, exposure time and creep must be assessed separately.
A representative process route is rolling, normalising or grade-specific heat treatment under the applicable product standard. Obtain actual temperatures, times and cooling media from the grade and product data sheet.
Manufacturing indices are weldability 74/100, machinability 71/100, corrosion resistance 24/100 and fatigue resistance 61/100; use them for screening only.
The principal risk is low-temperature brittle fracture, welding defects, corrosion or insufficient through-hardening when service exceeds the certified condition. Evaluate geometry, surface condition, environment and the governing failure mechanism together.
A similar name or calculated relationship is not proof of interchangeability; match chemistry, specification, condition, heat treatment and MTC.
Engineering conclusion: 1.8639 / S960QH is a rational candidate when economical and accessible performance for general machine and structural work matches the real load, environment and certified product condition.
Recorded standards:DIN EN 10027-2 — steel material-number systemDIN EN 10027-1 — steel designation systemEuropean Steel Registration Office / Stahldaten
International Equivalents
International equivalents and designations
A close counterpart is not automatically interchangeable. Confirm chemistry, product standard, delivery condition, dimensions and heat treatment.
W.NrOfficial designation for the same grade
1.8639A registered identity within the same grade record.
DIN / EN official registerOfficial designation for the same grade
S960QHA registered identity within the same grade record.
Chemical Composition
Chemical composition and the role of each element
No sourced numerical composition range is stored; use the product standard and heat-specific MTC. Composition is shown for screening and traceability. The current purchase standard and the heat-specific MTC remain authoritative.
| Element | Weight-percent range | Metallurgical role and effect |
|---|
Recorded product standard Engineering analysis
Engineering Behaviour
Engineering behaviour and selection response
Hardness potential40 / 100
Relative hardness screening index only; verify actual condition, section size and treatment. Internal comparison index: 40/100.
Engineering analysisToughness72 / 100
Toughness has an internal index of 72/100 (high). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.
Engineering analysisImpact resistance71 / 100
Impact resistance has an internal index of 71/100 (high). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.
Engineering analysisBending resistance65 / 100
Bending resistance has an internal index of 65/100 (high). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.
Engineering analysisAbrasive wear37 / 100
Wear screening depends on microstructure, hardness, counterface and lubrication. Internal comparison index: 37/100.
Engineering analysisCorrosion resistance24 / 100
Corrosion resistance depends on actual chemistry, condition, surface and exposure environment. Internal comparison index: 24/100.
Engineering analysisWeldability74 / 100
Weldability has an internal index of 74/100 (high). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.
Engineering analysisMachinability71 / 100
Machinability has an internal index of 71/100 (high). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.
Engineering analysisHigh-temperature strength30 / 100
The stated range is family screening guidance, not a sourced service limit. Internal comparison index: 30/100.
Engineering analysisCreep resistance20 / 100
Creep resistance has an internal index of 20/100 (very low). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.
Engineering analysisFatigue resistance61 / 100
Fatigue resistance has an internal index of 61/100 (moderate). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.
Engineering analysisNumerical scores are internal comparison indices. They are not standard test results, allowable design stresses or a manufacturer guarantee. Data Method
Hardness & Hardenability
Hardness and hardenability
Relative hardness screening index only; verify actual condition, section size and treatment. Internal screening index: 40/100 (low).
40/100
low
Comparison indexGoverning factors
- Chemistry and section size
- Austenitising and quench severity
- Tempering temperature and time
- Test method and surface preparation
Data limits
Final acceptance requires the current standard, product form, dimensions, delivery condition and heat-specific MTC.
Impact & Toughness
Toughness, impact and fracture behaviour
Impact resistance is indexed at 71/100 and toughness at 72/100. These are not Charpy or Izod energy values; temperature, orientation, geometry and actual microstructure govern component behaviour.
71/100highComparison index
- Microstructure, hardness and grain size influence impact tolerance.
- Sharp radii, notches and surface defects reduce fracture resistance.
- Test temperature, specimen direction and section must be identified.
- For critical parts, accept impact energy only from a documented test of the same condition.
Temperature & Creep
Service temperature, thermal stability and creep
The stated range is family screening guidance, not a sourced service limit. -20–250 °C is a screening range or sourced limit according to its evidence label. Check strength loss, oxidation, creep, exposure time and environment.
Continuous service
-20–250 °CEngineering guidanceReview the limit against strength or hardness loss and exposure time.
Intermittent service
Do not assign an intermittent limit without product-specific source data.
Tempering and phase stability
Working and coating temperatures must remain compatible with the tempering condition and required microstructure.
Oxidation and environment
Oxidation or corrosion may become limiting before the strength criterion.
Relative creep resistance20/100Comparison index
The relative creep index is 20/100 (very low). It is not an allowable creep stress or rupture-life value.
Do not select this grade for long-term static high-temperature loading from the internal index alone.
Wear & Surface Behaviour
Wear resistance and surface behaviour
Abrasive wear
Wear screening depends on microstructure, hardness, counterface and lubrication. The abrasive-wear index is 37/100; final hardness, carbides, microstructure, contact mode and lubrication govern actual resistance.
Comparison indexAdhesive wear
Assess adhesive wear with the counterface material, lubrication, roughness, pressure and temperature.
Engineering analysisSurface improvement
Evaluate surface treatment or coating only after confirming compatibility with chemistry, substrate and process temperature.
Engineering guidanceMechanical & Physical Properties
Mechanical and physical properties
No complete sourced numerical mechanical set is stored for this condition; labelled comparison indices are shown instead of invented test values.
| Comparative property | Internal index | Information type |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness potential | 40 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Toughness | 72 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Impact resistance | 71 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Bending resistance | 65 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Abrasive wear | 37 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Corrosion resistance | 24 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Weldability | 74 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Machinability | 71 / 100 | Comparison index |
| High-temperature strength | 30 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Creep resistance | 20 / 100 | Comparison index |
| Fatigue resistance | 61 / 100 | Comparison index |
Physical properties
Density, elastic modulus, expansion and conductivity depend on family, temperature and product condition. Use grade- and product-specific values for precise calculations.
- Obtain density and expansion data from the product data sheet for dimensional calculations.
- Elastic modulus and conductivity vary with temperature.
Heat Treatment
Heat-treatment stages and process controls
The representative family route is rolling, normalising or grade-specific heat treatment under the applicable product standard. Numerical temperatures are shown only when supported by the record.
Annealing / stress relief
Engineering guidanceAssess the supply condition, residual stress, section size and prior machining before selecting time and temperature.
Cooling: Grade- and process-specific coolingPreheating and austenitising
Engineering guidanceSet preheat steps and austenitising parameters from the grade/product data sheet and actual section size.
Cooling: Grade- and process-specific coolingQuenching / controlled cooling
Engineering guidanceChoose the quench medium and cooling severity against hardenability, geometry, distortion and crack risk.
Cooling: Grade- and process-specific coolingTempering / property adjustment
Engineering guidanceSet tempering or ageing to the required hardness, toughness and service-temperature balance.
Cooling: Grade- and process-specific coolingTempering / property adjustment
Engineering guidanceSet tempering or ageing to the required hardness, toughness and service-temperature balance.
Cooling: Grade- and process-specific coolingProcess control: Review delivery condition, actual section, equipment capability, crack and distortion risk and target hardness before approving the cycle.
Engineering Charts
Hardness, toughness, impact, temperature and process charts
Chemistry data retain their evidence label; 0–100 charts are internal indices and stages without temperature are process sequences.
Multi-axis engineering profile
Comparison indexChemical composition
Engineering analysisHardness–toughness balance
Comparison indexToughness, impact and fatigue
Comparison indexWear and surface response
Comparison indexMechanical properties or comparison indices
Comparison indexService temperature
Engineering guidanceHeat treatment
Engineering guidanceRelated-grade similarity
Comparison indexAll comparison indices
Comparison indexFailure Modes & Selection
Potential failure modes and selection guidance
Potential failure mechanisms
- low-temperature brittle fracture, welding defects, corrosion or insufficient through-hardening when service exceeds the certified condition.
- Fatigue initiation from surface defects, section transitions or stress concentration.
- Property loss after unsuitable heat treatment, cooling or finishing.
- Corrosion, oxidation or environmental attack when protection is inadequate.
Selection and design notes
- Match designation, material number, product standard and supply form before purchase.
- Compare the governing failure mechanism with hardness 40, toughness 72, impact 71 and wear 37 indices out of 100.
- Use mechanical values only within their cited condition, dimensions and test temperature.
- Confirm the heat-treatment route and target hardness with the processor before final machining.
- Review the heat number, MTC and required test results before release.
Advantages & Limitations
Advantages, limitations and unsuitable applications
Advantages
- economical and accessible performance for general machine and structural work.
- A clearly labelled engineering profile supports comparison with related grades.
- Grade identity, chemistry, counterparts and references remain traceable in one dossier.
Limitations and weaknesses
- low-temperature brittle fracture, welding defects, corrosion or insufficient through-hardening when service exceeds the certified condition.
- A 0–100 index cannot be converted into design stress, impact energy or creep life.
- Hardness and toughness depend on section, delivery condition and actual processing.
- Do not approve a substitute before checking the product standard and heat-specific MTC.
Cases requiring caution or an alternative material
Applications & Processing
Industrial applications and processing
Typical applications
- Structures, bridges, profiles and transmission components
- Plate, sheet and tubular products to the applicable product standard
- General engineered and machine components
- general machine and structural components
- bars, sections, tubes and forgings as specified
- shafts, pins and brackets
- fabricated parts governed by a product and design standard
Manufacture, welding and surface engineering
Weldability has an internal index of 74/100 (high). Actual performance requires a documented product condition, heat treatment and test context.
Forming and forging depend on steel family, delivery condition and the grade-specific qualified temperature range.
- Select nitriding, induction hardening or coating against chemistry, substrate hardness and application.
- Keep coating-deposition temperature compatible with the tempering condition and substrate.
- Control hydrogen embrittlement, residual stress and distortion in high-strength components.
Engineering Conclusion
Engineering conclusion and selection recommendation
1.8639 / S960QH is worth evaluating when the principal need is economical and accessible performance for general machine and structural work. Internal indices of hardness 40/100, toughness 72/100, impact 71/100 and wear 37/100 must be aligned with the real failure mechanism. The leading risk is low-temperature brittle fracture, welding defects, corrosion or insufficient through-hardening when service exceeds the certified condition. Final approval requires the current standard, product form, dimensions, delivery condition, heat treatment and heat-specific MTC.
Engineering analysisShaygan Steel — the right choice in alloy steelFrequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is 1.8639 / S960QH steel?
1.8639 / S960QH is independently listed in the official European steel material-number register; property indices and designation-derived chemistry are clearly labelled screening guidance.
What are the main applications of 1.8639 / S960QH?
Application contexts include Structures, bridges, profiles and transmission components, Plate, sheet and tubular products to the applicable product standard, General engineered and machine components and general machine and structural components, subject to the product standard and actual condition.
How hard can 1.8639 / S960QH be?
Relative hardness screening index only; verify actual condition, section size and treatment. Internal screening index: 40/100 (low).
Is 1.8639 / S960QH suitable for impact loading?
Impact resistance is indexed at 71/100 and toughness at 72/100. These are not Charpy or Izod energy values; temperature, orientation, geometry and actual microstructure govern component behaviour.
What is the service-temperature limit of 1.8639 / S960QH?
The stated range is family screening guidance, not a sourced service limit. -20–250 °C is a screening range or sourced limit according to its evidence label. Check strength loss, oxidation, creep, exposure time and environment.
Can 1.8639 / S960QH be replaced by a close grade?
Approve substitution only after matching chemistry, specification, product form, condition, heat treatment and MTC.
Steel Comparison
Engineering steel comparison
Compare this grade with any other dossier. Scores from 0 to 100 are internal screening indices, not laboratory values or allowable design stresses.
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Current-grade chemistry
Second-grade chemistry
Current-grade heat treatment
Second-grade heat treatment
Current-grade applications
Limitations
Second-grade applications
Limitations
Select a second grade to update the comparison.
Sources & Evidence
Sources, methodology and evidence
Sources support grade identity, recorded values or the engineering method. General guidance does not replace product-specific certification.
Grade-specific sources
stahldaten.deOfficial material-number register · Tier A
View sourceReference supporting grade identity or recorded values; interpret it within the cited product and condition context. Role: official material number register.
VDEh — European Steel Registration OfficeRegistration Authority · Tier A
View sourceReference supporting grade identity or recorded values; interpret it within the cited product and condition context. Role: registration authority.
Methodology and analysis sources
DIN EN 10027 — Numbering and designation framework / European Steel Registration Office
View sourceReference supporting the calculation method or the limits of the engineering analysis.
Ovako Steel Navigator — Heat treatment and engineering steel data
View sourceReference supporting the calculation method or the limits of the engineering analysis.
Outokumpu — Stainless corrosion resistance methodology
View sourceReference supporting the calculation method or the limits of the engineering analysis.
TWI — Carbon equivalent and hydrogen cracking
View sourceReference supporting the calculation method or the limits of the engineering analysis.
Dossier reviewed: 2026-08-25 · Evidence status: Official identity plus engineering analysis
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