Steel SKD61 Annealed vs SKD61 Nitrided
Steel · SKD61 temper comparison
SKD61 Annealed and SKD61 Nitrided are two conditions of the same steel grade, SKD61: Annealed versus Nitrided. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. SKD61 Nitrided is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for SKD61 Annealed, about 3.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi). In exchange, SKD61 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 9% for SKD61 Nitrided, and SKD61 Nitrided is harder (430 HB vs 215 HB). SKD61 Nitrided runs hotter in service (560°C vs 400°C continuous). On the shop floor, SKD61 Annealed machines more easily (good vs not recommended) and SKD61 Annealed welds better (fair vs not recommended).
SKD61 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
SKD61 NitridedChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
SKD61 Annealed vs SKD61 Nitrided: 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.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 81 GPa11.7 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,427°C2,601 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 24.5 W/m·K14.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11 µm/m·K6.1 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.3 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 5.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m20.5 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.6 V
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: Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 36 MJ/kg15,477 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.8 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 65 L/kg7.8 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 35%
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.
SKD61 Annealed vs SKD61 Nitrided — frequently asked
Is SKD61 Nitrided stronger than SKD61 Annealed?
Yes. SKD61 Nitrided has a typical yield strength of 1,300 MPa (189 ksi) against 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) for SKD61 Annealed — about 3.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 1,500 MPa (218 ksi) vs 760 MPa (110 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Nitrided?
Annealed is the default SKD61 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, SKD61 Annealed or SKD61 Nitrided?
SKD61 Annealed. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against not recommended (5/100) for SKD61 Nitrided; for welding the order is SKD61 Annealed first (fair, 35/100) then SKD61 Nitrided (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SKD61 Annealed and SKD61 Nitrided 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.