Steel SKS3 As-Quenched vs SKS3 Hardened & Tempered
Steel · SKS3 temper comparison
SKS3 As-Quenched and SKS3 Hardened & Tempered are two conditions of the same steel grade, SKS3: As-Quenched (800–830 °C oil quench, untempered) versus Hardened & Tempered (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. SKS3 As-Quenched is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 2,350 MPa (341 ksi) against 2,200 MPa (319 ksi) for SKS3 Hardened & Tempered, about 7% more. In exchange, SKS3 Hardened & Tempered is the more ductile: elongation 1% versus 0% for SKS3 As-Quenched, and SKS3 As-Quenched is harder (700 HB vs 200 HB). SKS3 Hardened & Tempered runs hotter in service (180°C vs 150°C continuous) and SKS3 Hardened & Tempered conducts heat better (33 W/m·K vs 25 W/m·K).
SKS3 As-QuenchedChoose it when strength drives the design.
SKS3 Hardened & TemperedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
SKS3 As-Quenched 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 As-QuenchedSKS3 Hardened & Tempered
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
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · 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.
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) 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.
Electrical Conductivity
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
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 2 / 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 As-Quenched vs SKS3 Hardened & Tempered — frequently asked
Is SKS3 As-Quenched stronger than SKS3 Hardened & Tempered?
Yes. SKS3 As-Quenched has a typical tensile strength of 2,350 MPa (341 ksi) against 2,200 MPa (319 ksi) for SKS3 Hardened & Tempered — about 7% more.
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, As-Quenched or Hardened & Tempered?
Annealed is the default SKS3 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither As-Quenched nor Hardened & Tempered). 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 welds better, SKS3 As-Quenched or SKS3 Hardened & Tempered?
SKS3 Hardened & Tempered. Its weldability rates not recommended (12/100) against not recommended (3/100) for SKS3 As-Quenched.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in SKS3 As-Quenched 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.