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Steel 9CrSi Stress Relieved

Heat-treated state

GB 9CrSi

Apply at 600–700 °C after rough machining to relieve stress and limit quench distortion in slender tools and precision dies; at 225 HB it is not a final service condition.

CNC machiningPremium cost $$$

Values for the Stress Relieved condition

Other 9CrSi tempers and conditions

9CrSi is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 9CrSi.

Compare all 9 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
AnnealedDefault
spheroidize/soft annealed ( , ≤241 HB)
Use the spheroidize-annealed ≤241 HB delivery state at 217 HB for turning, milling, drilling, tapping and forming, then quench and temper to service hardness.43075015217 HB—
Stress RelievedThis page
600–700 °C after rough machining
Apply at 600–700 °C after rough machining to relieve stress and limit quench distortion in slender tools and precision dies; at 225 HB it is not a final service condition.4507701419 HRC7 % IACS
as-rolled bar/flat, un-annealed
Choose as-rolled bar or flat at 280 HB as the most economical supply form for large sections; spheroidize annealing is normally required before machining.5709001029 HRC7 % IACS
annealed then cold drawn/peeled bar
Pick annealed then cold drawn or peeled bar for small-diameter tap and reamer blanks: size accuracy and surface allow direct hardening, but elongation falls to 8%.700880826 HRC7 % IACS
Oil quench + temper 400–500 °C
Choose when toughness governs, as in spring clamps and impact-loaded tooling; tempering at 400–500 °C lowers hardness to about 47 HRC and clearly reduces wear resistance.1,3501,550647 HRC6.5 % IACS
Oil quench + temper 300–400 °C
Pick for cutting edges and die parts under higher impact loads; the 300–400 °C temper trades hardness down to about 53 HRC and 1750 MPa tensile in exchange for toughness.1,5501,750353 HRC6.5 % IACS
Oil quench + temper 200–300 °C
Use for cold stamping dies and thread-rolling plates that must balance toughness and wear; the 200–300 °C temper after oil quench holds about 58 HRC and 2050 MPa tensile.1,8202,0501.558 HRC6 % IACS
Oil quench + temper 160–200 °C
Choose for cutting tools — taps, reamers, dies, shear blades — needing maximum wear resistance; oil quench plus a 160–200 °C temper gives 61 HRC with little toughness reserve.2,0002,250161 HRC6 % IACS
As-quenched
Treat only as an intermediate state straight from the 860–880 °C oil quench; temper immediately to relieve quenching stress, otherwise cracking is likely at 64 HRC.2,0502,3000.564 HRC5.7 % IACS

What is 9CrSi Stress Relieved?

9CrSi Stress Relieved is 9CrSi heat treated to Stress Relieved — apply at 600–700 °C after rough machining to relieve stress and limit quench distortion in slender tools and precision dies; at 225 HB it is not a final service condition. 9CrSi Stress Relieved has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 770 MPa (112 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 9CrSi Stress Relieved has a density of 7.77 g/cm³ (0.281 lb/in³), lighter than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Stress Relieved is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades
  • Limited formability — 24/100, worse than 76% of steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 75% of steel grades

9CrSi Stress Relieved properties

Typical room-temperature values for 9CrSi Stress Relieved; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 9CrSi reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

9CrSi Stress Relieved has a density of 7.77 g/cm³ (0.281 lb/in³), lighter than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).

Density7.77 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,420°C2,588 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,480°C2,696 °F

Mechanical15

9CrSi Stress Relieved has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 770 MPa (112 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)770 MPa112 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)450 MPa65.3 ksi
Elongation at Break14%
Reduction in Area28%
Compressive Strength920 MPa133 ksi
Shear Strength465 MPa67.4 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)355 MPa51.5 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)23 J17 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell225 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B97 HRB
Hardness, Vickers237 HV

Thermal6

9CrSi Stress Relieved is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity34 W/m·K19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)200°C392 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

9CrSi Stress Relieved conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 74% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity7 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.84 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.6 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended13/100
Chemical Resistance Summary—

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 9CrSi Stress Relieved takes about 33 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)33 MJ/kg14,187 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.4 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability8

9CrSi Stress Relieved's machinability is fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability poor (24/100).

MachinabilityFair48/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)43%
WeldabilityPoor15/100
Formability (cold)Poor24/100
CastabilityPoor20/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair45/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Anodizing Response—

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

Working with 9CrSi Stress Relieved

Is 9CrSi easy to machine?

Machine in the annealed condition (≤241 HB) with coated carbide or high-cobalt HSS; the high silicon makes chips slightly sticky and accelerates tool wear. Once hardened, work only by grinding or EDM.

Can 9CrSi be welded?

High carbon and hardness make it crack-sensitive, so it is normally not welded. For unavoidable repair use matching or martensitic stainless electrodes with 300–400 °C preheat, maintained interpass temperature and an immediate post-weld temper.

Can 9CrSi be formed, bent or molded?

Forge in the 1100–850 °C range, cool slowly and spheroidize-anneal promptly after forging. Cold forming capability is very limited — light straightening and coining only.

What surface finishes work on 9CrSi?

Grind and polish after quench and temper. Protect with black oxide, phosphating, steam treatment or oil; TiN coating is possible if the coating temperature stays below the tempering temperature.

9CrSi 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
C0.85 – 0.950.9
Siraises hardenability and temper stability; promotes decarburization1.2 – 1.61.4
Mn0.3 – 0.60.45
Cr0.95 – 1.251.1
Pimpurity upper limit≤ 0.03—
Simpurity upper limit≤ 0.03—
Niresidual element≤ 0.25—
Curesidual element≤ 0.3—
Febalance—

9CrSi Stress Relieved — frequently asked

What is 9CrSi Stress Relieved used for?

9CrSi Stress Relieved is typically used for taps and thread dies, reamers and broaches, cold blanking and punching dies, shear and guillotine blades, thread-rolling plates and cold-work punches. In short: cold-work tool steel.

What is the yield strength of 9CrSi Stress Relieved?

9CrSi Stress Relieved has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 770 MPa (112 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.

Is 9CrSi Stress Relieved easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed condition (≤241 HB) with coated carbide or high-cobalt HSS; the high silicon makes chips slightly sticky and accelerates tool wear. Once hardened, work only by grinding or EDM.

Can 9CrSi Stress Relieved be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). High carbon and hardness make it crack-sensitive, so it is normally not welded. For unavoidable repair use matching or martensitic stainless electrodes with 300–400 °C preheat, maintained interpass temperature and an immediate post-weld temper.

What surface finishes work on 9CrSi Stress Relieved?

Grind and polish after quench and temper. Protect with black oxide, phosphating, steam treatment or oil; TiN coating is possible if the coating temperature stays below the tempering temperature.

Can 9CrSi Stress Relieved be formed, bent or molded?

Forge in the 1100–850 °C range, cool slowly and spheroidize-anneal promptly after forging. Cold forming capability is very limited — light straightening and coining only.

What is the maximum service temperature of 9CrSi Stress Relieved?

9CrSi Stress Relieved is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Can FabDigit make parts in 9CrSi Stress Relieved?

Yes — 9CrSi Stress Relieved is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (tool steels) — ASM International (1990)
  2. 1.2108 / 90CrSi5 cold-work tool steel data (equivalent grade) — European tool-steel producers (2020)

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.