Steel SKS3 · temper · default condition
Steel SKS3 Annealed
Properties of the Annealed condition, compared with the other SKS3 tempers.
Standard stock condition for bar, flat and ground stock — machine to shape here, then harden.
What is SKS3 Annealed?
SKS3 Annealed is SKS3 in the Annealed temper — standard stock condition for bar, flat and ground stock — machine to shape here, then harden. SKS3 Annealed has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). SKS3 Annealed has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of steel grades
SKS3 Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for SKS3 Annealed — 14 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every SKS3 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
SKS3 Annealed has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical14
SKS3 Annealed has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
SKS3 Annealed is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.5 µm/m·K (6.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SKS3 Annealed conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 74% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SKS3 Annealed takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
SKS3 Annealed's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other SKS3 tempers and conditions
SKS3 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the SKS3 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard stock condition for bar, flat and ground stock — machine to shape here, then harden.450 MPa yield · 200 HB
- Hardened & TemperedChoose for gauges, blanking dies and cutting edges where maximum wear resistance and dimensional stability matter.1,950 MPa yield · 61 HRC
- Q&THigher-temper option when a tougher, less chip-prone tool is needed (forming dies, punches, shear blades).1,750 MPa yield · 58 HRC
Working with SKS3 Annealed
Is SKS3 easy to machine?
Machine fully in the annealed condition with sharp carbide or HSS tooling; after hardening only grinding, EDM or hard turning at ≤61 HRC is practical.
Can SKS3 be welded?
Poor weldability — high carbon promotes cracking; repair only with matched tool-steel filler, 300–400 °C preheat and immediate re-temper.
Can SKS3 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming limited to gentle bending of thin annealed stock; hot work 850–1050 °C followed by slow cooling and spheroidize anneal at 760–790 °C.
What surface finishes work on SKS3?
Takes a fine ground and lapped or mirror-polished finish; protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate, hard chrome or nitriding since bare surfaces rust quickly.
SKS3 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.9 – 1 | 0.95 |
| Simax per JIS G 4404 | ≤ 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 0.5 – 1 | 0.65 |
| W | 0.5 – 1 | 0.65 |
| Niresidual, max | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Curesidual, max | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
SKS3 Annealed — frequently asked
What is SKS3 Annealed used for?
SKS3 Annealed is typically used for gauges and measuring tools, blanking and piercing dies, paper and guillotine knives, taps and threading dies, punches and shear blades. In short: oil-hardening tool steel.
What is the yield strength of SKS3 Annealed?
SKS3 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 53% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is SKS3 Annealed easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades). Machine fully in the annealed condition with sharp carbide or HSS tooling; after hardening only grinding, EDM or hard turning at ≤61 HRC is practical.
Can SKS3 Annealed be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). Poor weldability — high carbon promotes cracking; repair only with matched tool-steel filler, 300–400 °C preheat and immediate re-temper.
What surface finishes work on SKS3 Annealed?
Takes a fine ground and lapped or mirror-polished finish; protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate, hard chrome or nitriding since bare surfaces rust quickly.
Can SKS3 Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming limited to gentle bending of thin annealed stock; hot work 850–1050 °C followed by slow cooling and spheroidize anneal at 760–790 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of SKS3 Annealed?
SKS3 Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in SKS3 Annealed?
Yes — SKS3 Annealed is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- JIS G 4404 Alloy tool steels — JSA (2015)
- GB/T 1299 Tool and die steels (9CrWMn) — SAC (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (Oil-hardening cold-work tool steels) — ASM International (1991)
- 1.2510 / 100MnCrW4 cold work tool steel datasheet — Böhler / Buderus Edelstahl (2021)
- (SKS3 / 9CrWMn) — Mysteel / 1688 (2025)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.