Stainless Steel ATS-34 Annealed
Temper · default condition
Order in the spheroidize annealed mill condition (220 HB, 760 MPa) for blade blanks and machining, then harden and temper after cutting to reach final service hardness.
Values for the Annealed condition
Other ATS-34 tempers and conditions
ATS-34 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at ATS-34.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefaultThis page spheroidize annealed bar/plate/strip (mill supply condition) | Order in the spheroidize annealed mill condition (220 HB, 760 MPa) for blade blanks and machining, then harden and temper after cutting to reach final service hardness. | 450 | 760 | 15 | 220 HB | — |
austenitize ~1040–1060 °C, oil/plate quench, temper ~300–350 °C | Choose for large blades, chopping tools and structural parts needing higher chipping resistance; the ~300-350 °C temper trades some edge retention for toughness. | 1,650 | 1,850 | 3 | 56 HRC | — |
Q&T secondary-hardened 58–59 HRC | Specify for tooling and valve parts working at 150-400 °C; the twice-repeated 510-540 °C secondary-hardening temper gives high temper stability with slightly lower corrosion resistance. | 1,800 | 1,950 | 2 | 59 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
austenitize ~1050–1070 °C, quench, temper ~180–220 °C | Pick as the default blade heat treatment: austenitizing near 1050-1070 °C with a ~180-220 °C temper gives the best balance of hardness, edge retention and toughness. | 1,850 | 2,000 | 2 | 59 HRC | — |
Q&T + cryogenic 60–62 HRC | Use when maximum hardness and edge holding are the goal: the -75 to -196 °C sub-zero step transforms retained austenite, at the cost of toughness and machinability. | 1,950 | 2,100 | 1.5 | 61 HRC | — |
What is ATS-34 Annealed?
ATS-34 Annealed is ATS-34 in the Annealed temper — order in the spheroidize annealed mill condition (220 HB, 760 MPa) for blade blanks and machining, then harden and temper after cutting to reach final service hardness. ATS-34 Annealed has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). ATS-34 Annealed has a density of 7.78 g/cm³ (0.281 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F).
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 40/100, worse than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 15%, worse than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 25/100, worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
ATS-34 Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for ATS-34 Annealed; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are ATS-34 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
ATS-34 Annealed has a density of 7.78 g/cm³ (0.281 lb/in³), lighter than 57% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F).
Mechanical12
ATS-34 Annealed has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
ATS-34 Annealed is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.2 µm/m·K (5.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
ATS-34 Annealed conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (40/100), worse than 93% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of ATS-34 Annealed takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — more than 50% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
ATS-34 Annealed's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with ATS-34 Annealed
Is ATS-34 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed condition: low speed, heavy feed, rigid clamping and coated carbide or powder high-speed steel tooling. Once hardened, use grinding or EDM only.
Can ATS-34 be welded?
Fusion welding is not recommended, as high-carbon martensite cold-cracks readily. If unavoidable, preheat 200-300 °C and temper immediately after welding, or switch to brazing or mechanical joining.
Can ATS-34 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability is very poor. Forge in the range 1100 °C down to 900 °C, then cool slowly and spheroidize anneal to prevent cracking.
What surface finishes work on ATS-34?
The fine grain structure polishes to a mirror. Passivate after heat treatment to restore the passive film; DLC/PVD and satin brushed finishes are options, and anodizing does not apply.
ATS-34 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Chigh carbon for M7C3/M6C carbides | 1 – 1.1 | 1.05 |
| Cr | 13 – 14.5 | 14 |
| Mowear resistance + pitting resistance | 3.75 – 4.25 | 4 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Pimpurity | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Simpurity | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
ATS-34 Annealed — frequently asked
What is ATS-34 Annealed used for?
ATS-34 Annealed is typically used for premium knife blades, kitchen cutlery, folding knife blades, custom and semi-custom blade blanks, hardened wear inserts and edges and hunting and outdoor knives. In short: fine-grained 154CM analogue; strong hardenability, 62 HRC; not for welded assemblies.
What is the yield strength of ATS-34 Annealed?
ATS-34 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 70% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is ATS-34 Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Machine only in the annealed condition: low speed, heavy feed, rigid clamping and coated carbide or powder high-speed steel tooling. Once hardened, use grinding or EDM only.
Can ATS-34 Annealed be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Fusion welding is not recommended, as high-carbon martensite cold-cracks readily. If unavoidable, preheat 200-300 °C and temper immediately after welding, or switch to brazing or mechanical joining.
What surface finishes work on ATS-34 Annealed?
The fine grain structure polishes to a mirror. Passivate after heat treatment to restore the passive film; DLC/PVD and satin brushed finishes are options, and anodizing does not apply.
Can ATS-34 Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability is very poor. Forge in the range 1100 °C down to 900 °C, then cool slowly and spheroidize anneal to prevent cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of ATS-34 Annealed?
ATS-34 Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ATS-34 martensitic stainless knife steel data — Hitachi Metals (Proterial) (2019)
- 154CM / CPM 154 datasheet — Crucible Industries (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM A276 / UNS S44004 (440C) related martensitic stainless requirements — ASTM (2017)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.