Steel SKS3 Annealed vs SKS3 Hardened & Tempered
Steel · SKS3 temper comparison
SKS3 Annealed and SKS3 Hardened & Tempered are two conditions of the same steel grade, SKS3: Annealed versus Hardened & Tempered (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. SKS3 Hardened & Tempered is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for SKS3 Annealed, about 4.3 times as much; tensile strength follows at 2,200 MPa (319 ksi) vs 750 MPa (109 ksi). In exchange, SKS3 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 18% versus 1% for SKS3 Hardened & Tempered, and SKS3 Hardened & Tempered is harder (740 HV vs 210 HV). SKS3 Annealed runs hotter in service (200°C vs 180°C continuous). On the shop floor, SKS3 Annealed machines more easily (fair vs not recommended).
SKS3 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
SKS3 Hardened & TemperedChoose it when strength drives the design.
SKS3 Annealed vs SKS3 Hardened & Tempered: 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.
SKS3 AnnealedSKS3 Hardened & Tempered
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Reduction in Area 35% · Hardness, Brinell 200 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 94 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,470°C2,678 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 33 W/m·K19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.5 µm/m·K6.9 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 7 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 2.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.84 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 15 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 45% · Weldability 12 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 34 MJ/kg14,617 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.4 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
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.
SKS3 Annealed vs SKS3 Hardened & Tempered — frequently asked
Is SKS3 Hardened & Tempered stronger than SKS3 Annealed?
Yes. SKS3 Hardened & Tempered has a typical yield strength of 1,950 MPa (283 ksi) against 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) for SKS3 Annealed — about 4.3 times as much. Tensile strength is 2,200 MPa (319 ksi) vs 750 MPa (109 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Hardened & Tempered?
Annealed is the default SKS3 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, SKS3 Annealed or SKS3 Hardened & Tempered?
SKS3 Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (50/100) against not recommended (8/100) for SKS3 Hardened & Tempered.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SKS3 Annealed and SKS3 Hardened & Tempered 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.