Steel W2 · temper · default condition
Steel W2 Annealed
Properties of the Annealed condition, compared with the other W2 tempers.
Standard stock condition for machining, grinding and forming before hardening.
What is W2 Annealed?
W2 Annealed is W2 in the Annealed temper — standard stock condition for machining, grinding and forming before hardening. W2 Annealed has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). W2 Annealed has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Advantages
- 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 — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 77% of steel grades
W2 Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for W2 Annealed — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every W2 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
W2 Annealed has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical15
W2 Annealed has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
W2 Annealed is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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
W2 Annealed conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 74% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of W2 Annealed takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 55% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
W2 Annealed's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability fair (40/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other W2 tempers and conditions
W2 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the W2 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard stock condition for machining, grinding and forming before hardening.400 MPa yield · 200 HB
- Hardened & TemperedMaximum wear resistance and edge retention for knives, wood chisels, files and cutting tools.2,300 MPa tensile
- Q&TBalanced hardness/toughness for punches, dies, hammers and impact-loaded hand tools.1,650 MPa yield · 58 HRC
- Q&T 50-55 HRCTougher setting for shock tools, springs and heavy-impact punches where chipping must be avoided.1,450 MPa yield · 53 HRC
Working with W2 Annealed
Is W2 easy to machine?
Machine in the spheroidize-annealed condition (~200 HB, ~30 % of AISI 1212); after hardening only grinding or EDM is practical.
Can W2 be welded?
Poor weldability — high carbon equivalent; if unavoidable, preheat 300–400 °C, use low-hydrogen/tool-steel filler and temper immediately after.
Can W2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming limited to gentle bends when annealed; hot work at 900–1050 °C, stop above 850 °C and cool slowly, then spheroidize anneal at 740–760 °C.
What surface finishes work on W2?
Rust-prone: oil, black oxide or phosphate immediately after hardening; takes a high polish and can be nitrided or hard chrome plated below the tempering temperature.
W2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A686 supplies W2 in carbon subgrades W2-8½ … W2-1 (0.85–1.50 %); 1.00–1.10 % is the common stock level | 0.85 – 1.5 | 1.05 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Vgrain refiner; distinguishes W2 from W1 | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Crresidual max | ≤ 0.15 | 0.08 |
| Niresidual max | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Moresidual max | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Wresidual max | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Curesidual max | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
W2 Annealed — frequently asked
What is W2 Annealed used for?
W2 Annealed is typically used for chisels, punches and knife blanks. In short: water-hardening tool steel.
What is the yield strength of W2 Annealed?
W2 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is W2 Annealed easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machine in the spheroidize-annealed condition (~200 HB, ~30 % of AISI 1212); after hardening only grinding or EDM is practical.
Can W2 Annealed be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Poor weldability — high carbon equivalent; if unavoidable, preheat 300–400 °C, use low-hydrogen/tool-steel filler and temper immediately after.
What surface finishes work on W2 Annealed?
Rust-prone: oil, black oxide or phosphate immediately after hardening; takes a high polish and can be nitrided or hard chrome plated below the tempering temperature.
Can W2 Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming limited to gentle bends when annealed; hot work at 900–1050 °C, stop above 850 °C and cool slowly, then spheroidize anneal at 740–760 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of W2 Annealed?
W2 Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in W2 Annealed?
Yes — W2 Annealed 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 (Water-hardening tool steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining (tool steel machinability ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- Tool Steels, 5th ed. — ASM International (1998)
- GB/T 1298 (T8–T13, 9CrV analogues) (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.