Steel O1 vs W2
Steel · grade comparison
Steel O1 and W2 are both steel grades, both tool steel. W2 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 730 MPa (106 ksi) against 690 MPa (100 ksi) for O1, about 6% more. In exchange, O1 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 22% for W2. O1 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous) and W2 conducts heat better (48 W/m·K vs 35 W/m·K). On the shop floor, W2 machines more easily (good vs fair) and W2 sits in a lower cost tier (premium, $$$) than O1 (high, $$$$).
O1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
W2Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
O1 vs W2: 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.
Shear Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Hardness, Rockwell B
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 400 MPa58 ksi · Compressive Strength 420 MPa60.9 ksi · Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT) 30 J22.1 ft·lbf · Hardness, Brinell 200 HB · Hardness, Vickers 210 HV
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
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)
Polishability
Castability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Modulus of Resilience 390 kJ/m³
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | O1 | W2 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | Annealed | Annealed |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$ Premium |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining. Both take the same 38 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, CrN, DLC, E-Coating and 26 more.
O1 vs W2 — frequently asked
Is W2 stronger than O1?
Yes. W2 has a typical tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) against 690 MPa (100 ksi) for O1 — about 6% more.
Which is cheaper, O1 or W2?
W2 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the premium tier ($$$) while O1 is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, O1 or W2?
W2. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against fair (45/100) for O1; for welding the order is O1 first (poor, 20/100) then W2 (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in O1 and W2 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.