Steel W2 Annealed vs W2 Hardened & Tempered
Steel · W2 temper comparison
W2 Annealed and W2 Hardened & Tempered are two conditions of the same steel grade, W2: Annealed versus Hardened & Tempered (quenched and tempered). The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. W2 Hardened & Tempered is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 2,300 MPa (334 ksi) against 730 MPa (106 ksi) for W2 Annealed, about 3.2 times as much. In exchange, W2 Annealed is the more ductile: elongation 22% versus 1% for W2 Hardened & Tempered, and W2 Hardened & Tempered is harder (790 HV vs 210 HV). W2 Annealed runs hotter in service (300°C vs 150°C continuous). On the shop floor, W2 Annealed machines more easily (good vs not recommended).
W2 AnnealedChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
W2 Hardened & TemperedChoose it when strength drives the design.
W2 Annealed vs W2 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.
W2 AnnealedW2 Hardened & Tempered
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 400 MPa58 ksi · Reduction in Area 40% · Hardness, Brinell 200 HB · Hardness, Rockwell B 93 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.83 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 48 W/m·K27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 12.4 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 9.5 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.09 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.61 V · Corrosion Resistance 10 / 100
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Polishability
Same in both: Weldability 15 / 100 · Formability (cold) 40 / 100 · Castability 25 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2.3 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.
W2 Annealed vs W2 Hardened & Tempered — frequently asked
Is W2 Hardened & Tempered stronger than W2 Annealed?
Yes. W2 Hardened & Tempered has a typical tensile strength of 2,300 MPa (334 ksi) against 730 MPa (106 ksi) for W2 Annealed — about 3.2 times as much.
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Annealed or Hardened & Tempered?
Annealed is the default W2 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, W2 Annealed or W2 Hardened & Tempered?
W2 Annealed. Its machinability rates good (55/100) against not recommended (8/100) for W2 Hardened & Tempered.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in W2 Annealed and W2 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.