Steel SKS93 · hardness band
Steel SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC
Properties of the Q&T 61-64 HRC condition, compared with the other SKS93 tempers.
Maximum-hardness condition (JIS quench requirement ≥63 HRC) for keen cutting edges and wear surfaces; lowest toughness.
What is SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC?
SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC is SKS93 heat treated to Q&T 61-64 HRC — maximum-hardness condition (JIS quench requirement ≥63 HRC) for keen cutting edges and wear surfaces; lowest toughness. SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,300 MPa (334 ksi) — stronger than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T 61-64 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.5%, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 18/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades
SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every SKS93 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC 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).
Mechanical15
SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,300 MPa (334 ksi) — stronger than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC conducts electricity at 8.6 % IACS, better than 66% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC 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
SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (18/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other SKS93 tempers and conditions
SKS93 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the SKS93 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultDefault stock condition for machining, blanking and pre-heat-treatment fabrication (≤217 HB).450 MPa yield · 200 HB
- Q&T 61-64 HRCMaximum-hardness condition (JIS quench requirement ≥63 HRC) for keen cutting edges and wear surfaces; lowest toughness.2,300 MPa tensile
- Q&T 58-61 HRCBalanced hardness/toughness for cutters, gauges and small blanking dies.1,850 MPa yield · 60 HRC
- Q&T 54-58 HRCTougher tempered condition for saw blades, scrapers and thin springy tools needing bend tolerance.1,650 MPa yield · 56 HRC
Working with SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC
Is SKS93 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed (≤217 HB) state with sharp carbide or HSS-Co tooling and modest speeds; hardened material needs grinding, EDM or CBN.
Can SKS93 be welded?
Poor weldability — high carbon promotes cracking; if unavoidable, preheat 250–350 °C, use matching/low-hydrogen filler and temper immediately after welding.
Can SKS93 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form, bend and blank in the soft annealed strip condition; harden after forming, and stress-relieve heavily worked blanks before quenching to limit distortion.
What surface finishes work on SKS93?
Grind and polish after hardening to a fine edge; protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate or thin chrome/nitride coating since the bare steel rusts quickly.
SKS93 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 | 1 – 1.1 | 1.05 |
| Sisome secondary tables list Si ≤0.50 | 0.1 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.1 | 0.95 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| W | 0.5 – 1 | 0.75 |
| Curesidual max | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Niresidual max | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC — frequently asked
What is SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC used for?
SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC is typically used for hand saw and band saw blades, thin-blade cutting knives, scrapers and putty blades, small blanking and piercing dies, measuring gauges and straight edges and hand tool blades and chisels. In short: oil-hardening tool steel.
What is the yield strength of SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC?
SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,300 MPa (334 ksi) — stronger than 53% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed (≤217 HB) state with sharp carbide or HSS-Co tooling and modest speeds; hardened material needs grinding, EDM or CBN.
Can SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (18/100). Poor weldability — high carbon promotes cracking; if unavoidable, preheat 250–350 °C, use matching/low-hydrogen filler and temper immediately after welding.
What surface finishes work on SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC?
Grind and polish after hardening to a fine edge; protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate or thin chrome/nitride coating since the bare steel rusts quickly.
Can SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form, bend and blank in the soft annealed strip condition; harden after forming, and stress-relieve heavily worked blanks before quenching to limit distortion.
What is the maximum service temperature of SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC?
SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between SKS93 Annealed and SKS93 CW-Hard?
Annealed is the default condition — default stock condition for machining, blanking and pre-heat-treatment fabrication (≤217 HB). CW-Hard: work-hardened strip used where a stiff spring-like temper is enough without quenching. Yield strength is 450 MPa in Annealed versus 950 MPa in CW-Hard.
Can FabDigit make parts in SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC?
Yes — SKS93 Q&T 61-64 HRC 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 — Japanese Standards Association (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (tool steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 4 — Heat Treating (tool steel hardening practice) — ASM International (1991)
- GB/T 1299 — (comparison of alloy tool steel grades) — SAC (China) (2014)
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.