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2060 – 08 – Alloy Steels
Number codes are also used to let buyers know whether a particular grade of steel contains an alloying element. If it does, that steel is an alloy steel.
The first two digits identify the family of steel. The most common alloying elements are manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) and molybdenum (Mo). The way these elements are combined with each other determines which family of steels it belongs too.
Sometimes, letters are added to the grade number to indicate the metal was produced in a special furnace, or it was heat-treated. The letter “E” indicates steel produced in an electric furnace. “H” indicates hardenability. “B” is for boron and “L” is for lead.