Steel A6 Annealed vs A6 As-Quenched
Steel · A6 temper comparison
A6 Annealed and A6 As-Quenched are two conditions of the same steel grade, A6: Annealed versus As-Quenched (air hardened from 845–870 °C, untempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. A6 As-Quenched is the stronger of the two: yield strength 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for A6 Annealed, about 4.8 times as much; tensile strength follows at 2,300 MPa (334 ksi) vs 725 MPa (105 ksi). In exchange, A6 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 0.5% for A6 As-Quenched, and A6 As-Quenched is harder (690 HB vs 235 HB). A6 Annealed runs hotter in service (200°C vs 150°C continuous) and A6 Annealed conducts heat better (27 W/m·K vs 24 W/m·K). On the shop floor, A6 Annealed machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and A6 Annealed welds better (poor vs not recommended).
A6 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
A6 As-QuenchedChoose it when strength drives the design.
A6 Annealed vs A6 As-Quenched: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 79 GPa11.5 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Rockwell B 99 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.83 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,480°C2,696 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.8 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Castability 20 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 35 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.6 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 70 L/kg8.4 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 45%
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
A6 Annealed vs A6 As-Quenched — frequently asked
Is A6 As-Quenched stronger than A6 Annealed?
Yes. A6 As-Quenched has a typical yield strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for A6 Annealed — about 4.8 times as much. Tensile strength is 2,300 MPa (334 ksi) vs 725 MPa (105 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or As-Quenched?
Annealed is the default A6 condition in the FabDigit quote flow. The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, A6 Annealed or A6 As-Quenched?
A6 Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (50/100) against not recommended (3/100) for A6 As-Quenched; for welding the order is A6 Annealed first (poor, 20/100) then A6 As-Quenched (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in A6 Annealed and A6 As-Quenched side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.