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Steel 6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC

Hardness band

GB 6CrW2Si · AISI/SAE S1

Maximum hardness condition for chisels and punches where edge retention matters more than shock toughness.

Standard cost $$

Values for the QT-56-58HRC condition

Other 6CrW2Si tempers and conditions

6CrW2Si is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 6CrW2Si.

Compare all 8 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
AnnealedDefault
spheroidize/soft annealed bar as supplied
Standard stock condition for machining and forming before hardening; ≤285 HB per GB/T 1299.45076018240 HB—
Cold drawn
Bright, size-accurate small-diameter bar for chisel and punch blanks needing little pre-machining.6408801027 HRC6.2 % IACS
Hot rolled
As-rolled or as-forged bar and flats; harder and less uniform — anneal before machining.6501,0001034 HRC6.2 % IACS
oil quench 870 °C + temper ~520 °C
Soft-tempered condition for high-toughness structural tool parts; wear resistance is largely given up.1,1801,3301242 HRC6 % IACS
oil quench 870 °C + temper ~420 °C
Maximum-toughness hardened state for shanks, drivers and tool bodies subject to severe shock or bending.1,3501,550947 HRC—
oil quench 870 °C + temper ~320 °C
Toughness-biased setting for heavy-impact tools such as rivet sets, hot chisel bodies and shear blades.1,5001,750651 HRC—
oil quench 870 °C + temper ~250 °C
Common working hardness for pneumatic bits and cold chisels — good balance of edge life and impact resistance.1,6001,900454 HRC—
QT-56-58HRCThis page
oil quench 870 °C + temper ~200 °C
Maximum hardness condition for chisels and punches where edge retention matters more than shock toughness.1,7502,100257 HRC—

What is 6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC?

6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC is 6CrW2Si heat treated to QT-56-58HRC — maximum hardness condition for chisels and punches where edge retention matters more than shock toughness. 6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC has a yield strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi). 6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT-56-58HRC is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 1,750 MPa (254 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 98% of steel grades
  • High embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 87% of steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 84% of steel grades

6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC properties

Typical room-temperature values for 6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 6CrW2Si reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,420°C2,588 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,480°C2,696 °F

Mechanical15

6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC has a yield strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus207 GPa30 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus165 GPa23.9 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)2,100 MPa305 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,750 MPa254 ksi
Elongation at Break2%
Reduction in Area40%
Compressive Strength2,900 MPa421 ksi
Shear Strength500 MPa72.5 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)780 MPa113 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)12 J8.9 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell240 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B99 HRB
Hardness, Vickers660 HV

Thermal6

6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.4 µm/m·K (6.89 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity33 W/m·K19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 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 Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)180°C356 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical2

6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC has an electrical resistivity of 2.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity2.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m11 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.

Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryNo inherent corrosion resistance: rusts in humid air, attacked by acids and chlorides; must be oiled, phosphated, oxide-blacked or coated in storage and service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC takes about 35 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 87% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)35 MJ/kg15,047 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.6 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content35%

Manufacturability8

6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (25/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended5/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)5%
WeldabilityPoor20/100
Formability (cold)Poor25/100
CastabilityPoor20/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair45/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use black oxide, phosphating, nitriding or QPQ instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC

Is 6CrW2Si easy to machine?

Machine in the annealed condition (≤285 HB) with rigid setups and cobalt-HSS or coated carbide; after hardening only grinding, EDM or CBN is practical.

Can 6CrW2Si be welded?

Weld only for repair: preheat 300–400 °C, use matched or tool-steel filler, keep interpass hot and re-temper immediately to avoid quench cracking.

Can 6CrW2Si be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1050–1150 °C, stop above ~900 °C and cool slowly, then anneal 800–820 °C furnace-cool; cold forming is limited to mild bending of annealed stock.

What surface finishes work on 6CrW2Si?

Harden from 860–900 °C in oil and temper 200–520 °C to target hardness; finish with grinding plus black oxide, phosphate or oil coating for rust protection.

6CrW2Si 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
C0.55 – 0.650.6
Siraises tempering resistance and toughness0.5 – 0.80.65
Mn≤ 0.40.25
Cr1 – 1.31.15
Wcarbide former, grain refinement2.2 – 2.72.45
Niresidual≤ 0.25—
Curesidual≤ 0.3—
P≤ 0.03—
S≤ 0.03—
Febalance—

6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC — frequently asked

What is 6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC used for?

6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC is typically used for chisels, pneumatic tool bits and punches. In short: impact-tough tool steel; tougher than water-hardening grades; oil-hardening shock grade.

What is the yield strength of 6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC?

6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,100 MPa (305 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.

Is 6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed condition (≤285 HB) with rigid setups and cobalt-HSS or coated carbide; after hardening only grinding, EDM or CBN is practical.

Can 6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Weld only for repair: preheat 300–400 °C, use matched or tool-steel filler, keep interpass hot and re-temper immediately to avoid quench cracking.

What surface finishes work on 6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC?

Harden from 860–900 °C in oil and temper 200–520 °C to target hardness; finish with grinding plus black oxide, phosphate or oil coating for rust protection.

Can 6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge 1050–1150 °C, stop above ~900 °C and cool slowly, then anneal 800–820 °C furnace-cool; cold forming is limited to mild bending of annealed stock.

What is the maximum service temperature of 6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC?

6CrW2Si QT-56-58HRC is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between 6CrW2Si Annealed and 6CrW2Si-HR?

Annealed is the default condition — standard stock condition for machining and forming before hardening; ≤285 HB per GB/T 1299. HR: as-rolled or as-forged bar and flats; harder and less uniform — anneal before machining. Yield strength is 450 MPa in Annealed versus 650 MPa in HR.

Sources

  1. GB/T 1299 (Alloy Tool Steels) — SAC / (2014)
  2. ASTM A681 Standard Specification for Tool Steels Alloy (S1) — ASTM International (2015)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
  4. Tool Steels, 5th ed. (Roberts, Krauss, Kennedy) — ASM International (1998)

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.