Steel W18Cr4V Annealed vs W18Cr4V HT+Nitrided
Steel · W18Cr4V temper comparison
W18Cr4V Annealed and W18Cr4V HT+Nitrided are two conditions of the same steel grade, W18Cr4V: Annealed versus HT+Nitrided (hardened, tempered and (gas/salt-bath) nitrided surface). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. W18Cr4V HT+Nitrided is the stronger of the two: yield strength 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for W18Cr4V Annealed, about 3.7 times as much; tensile strength follows at 2,200 MPa (319 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi). In exchange, W18Cr4V Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 10% versus 0.5% for W18Cr4V HT+Nitrided, and W18Cr4V HT+Nitrided is harder (700 HB vs 240 HB). W18Cr4V HT+Nitrided runs hotter in service (600°C vs 350°C continuous) and W18Cr4V Annealed conducts heat better (24 W/m·K vs 19 W/m·K). On the shop floor, W18Cr4V Annealed machines more easily (fair vs not recommended) and W18Cr4V Annealed welds better (poor vs not recommended).
W18Cr4V AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
W18Cr4V HT+NitridedChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
W18Cr4V Annealed vs W18Cr4V HT+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.
W18Cr4V AnnealedW18Cr4V HT+Nitrided
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)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 85 GPa12.3 Msi · Bulk Modulus 168 GPa24.4 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Rockwell B 99 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 8.67 g/cm³0.31 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,330°C2,426 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °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 420 J/kg·K0.1 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 -60°C-76 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.55 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: Castability 20 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100 · Polishability 80 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 60 MJ/kg25,795 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4.5 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 120 L/kg14.4 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 40%
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.
W18Cr4V Annealed vs W18Cr4V HT+Nitrided — frequently asked
Is W18Cr4V HT+Nitrided stronger than W18Cr4V Annealed?
Yes. W18Cr4V HT+Nitrided has a typical yield strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) against 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) for W18Cr4V Annealed — about 3.7 times as much. Tensile strength is 2,200 MPa (319 ksi) vs 900 MPa (131 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or HT+Nitrided?
Annealed is the default W18Cr4V 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, W18Cr4V Annealed or W18Cr4V HT+Nitrided?
W18Cr4V Annealed. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against not recommended (5/100) for W18Cr4V HT+Nitrided; for welding the order is W18Cr4V Annealed first (poor, 20/100) then W18Cr4V HT+Nitrided (not recommended, 5/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in W18Cr4V Annealed and W18Cr4V HT+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.