Description
The Workhorse of Case-Hardened Steels
When we started working with 8620 alloy steel 15 years ago, we were impressed by how consistently it performed in high-wear applications. This isn’t just another alloy – it’s become our go-to recommendation for engineers who need that perfect balance of hard surface and tough core.
What makes 8620 special? After carburizing and quenching, we typically see surface hardness reach 58-62 HRC while maintaining a ductile core (25-35 HRC). We’ve seen this exact chemistry used in everything from truck transmission gears to mining drill rigs. One of our long-term customers in the heavy equipment sector reported a 40% increase in service life compared to their previous material choice.
Where Performance Meets Practicality
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In automotive applications, the combination of 1.65-2.00% nickel and 0.20-0.30% molybdenum delivers the fatigue resistance needed for high-torque components. A European automaker we supply uses our 8620 for differential gears running at 2,000+ Nm torque.
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For industrial machinery, the fine-grain structure (ASTM 8-10) minimizes distortion during heat treatment. This means less post-heat straightening – something our customers in the hydraulics sector particularly appreciate.
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The machinability rating of 70% (vs. 1212 steel) saves time and tooling costs. We’ve had tooling shops report 15-20% longer tool life when roughing this material compared to other case-hardening grades.
We control the entire process – from ladle refinement to final grinding. Our ±0.02mm diameter tolerance on precision-ground bars meets even the most demanding bearing journal applications. And if you need something non-standard, we’ve produced 8620 bars from 6mm up to 300mm diameter, in lengths beyond 8 meters for specialized applications.
Why Buy From Our China Facility?
Being based in China gives us cost advantages in both bulk production and custom runs. But what really matters is our 3-stage QC process: every batch gets chemical verification, hardness testing, and microstructure analysis before leaving the mill.
Whether you need:
– Peeled and polished shafts for immediate machining
– Black bars for heavy industrial use
– Or custom lengths with 0.01mm straightness tolerance
We understand that material consistency matters more than marketing claims. Our technical team includes metallurgists who’ve worked with this grade for decades. When you call, you’ll talk to someone who can discuss effective case depth or core toughness requirements in real terms.
Let’s discuss how 8620 can work for your specific application. We’re happy to provide material certifications (EN 10204 3.1), test samples, or even joint development for unique requirements. Just ask – we’ve probably seen something similar before.
