Steel W1 · heat-treated state
Steel W1 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other W1 tempers.
General working condition for punches, chisels and dies where some toughness must be traded against edge hardness.
What is W1 Q&T?
W1 Q&T is W1 heat treated to Q&T — general working condition for punches, chisels and dies where some toughness must be traded against edge hardness. W1 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). W1 Q&T has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,700 MPa (247 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 220°C (428 °F), worse than 88% of steel grades
W1 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for W1 Q&T — 15 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every W1 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
W1 Q&T has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical15
W1 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
W1 Q&T is rated for continuous service to 220°C (428 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.4 µm/m·K (6.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
W1 Q&T conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 74% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (8/100), worse than 99% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of W1 Q&T takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
W1 Q&T's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (8/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other W1 tempers and conditions
W1 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the W1 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultDefault stock condition for bar, flat and drill rod — machine, form and file it, then harden.460 MPa yield · 200 HB
- Hardened & TemperedMaximum hardness and wear/edge retention for files, razors, scrapers and engraving tools; accept brittleness and shallow case.2,000 MPa yield · 64 HRC
- Q&TGeneral working condition for punches, chisels and dies where some toughness must be traded against edge hardness.1,700 MPa yield · 58 HRC
- Cold DrawnChoose when you want close diameter tolerance and a bright surface straight from stock (classic W1 drill rod).620 MPa yield · 215 HB
Working with W1 Q&T
Is W1 easy to machine?
Machines readily in the spheroidize-annealed state (~30 % of AISI 1212) with sharp HSS or coated carbide; above ~55 HRC only grinding, EDM or CBN turning is practical.
Can W1 be welded?
Poor weldability — high carbon promotes quench cracking; if unavoidable preheat 250–350 °C, use matching or low-hydrogen filler and temper immediately after.
Can W1 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 900–1050 °C (never below ~850 °C) then slow-cool and spheroidize anneal 740–760 °C; cold bending is limited and should be done annealed with generous radii.
What surface finishes work on W1?
Takes a very fine ground and polished edge; no anodizing — protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate or thin chrome/nitride coatings since bare W1 rusts quickly.
W1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Csupplied in graded carbon levels (e.g. W1-8 ≈ 0.80 %C, W1-10 ≈ 1.00 %C, W1-13 ≈ 1.30 %C) per ASTM A686 | 0.7 – 1.5 | 1 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Crresidual max | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Niresidual max | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Curesidual max | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Moresidual max | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Vresidual max; V-modified W1 variants up to 0.35 | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Wresidual max | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
W1 Q&T — frequently asked
What is W1 Q&T used for?
W1 Q&T is typically used for hand chisels, woodworking tools and scissors. In short: sharpest cutting edge.
What is the yield strength of W1 Q&T?
W1 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,700 MPa (247 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is W1 Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades). Machines readily in the spheroidize-annealed state (~30 % of AISI 1212) with sharp HSS or coated carbide; above ~55 HRC only grinding, EDM or CBN turning is practical.
Can W1 Q&T be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (8/100). Poor weldability — high carbon promotes quench cracking; if unavoidable preheat 250–350 °C, use matching or low-hydrogen filler and temper immediately after.
What surface finishes work on W1 Q&T?
Takes a very fine ground and polished edge; no anodizing — protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate or thin chrome/nitride coatings since bare W1 rusts quickly.
Can W1 Q&T be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 900–1050 °C (never below ~850 °C) then slow-cool and spheroidize anneal 740–760 °C; cold bending is limited and should be done annealed with generous radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of W1 Q&T?
W1 Q&T is rated for continuous use to about 220°C (428 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in W1 Q&T?
Yes — W1 Q&T is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A686 — Standard Specification for Tool Steel, Carbon — ASTM International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Tool Materials — ASM International (1995)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 16: Machining — ASM International (1989)
- GB/T 1298 T7A–T13A (2008)
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.