Steel A11
AISI/SAE A11
A11 (CPM 10V) is a powder-metallurgy high-carbon, high-vanadium cold-work tool steel — about 2.45% C and nearly 10% V — whose fine, evenly distributed MC vanadium carbides give wear resistance far above D2 or A2.
Values for the Annealed condition
A11 tempers and conditions
A11 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft annealed bar/plate for machining | Standard mill supply condition: machine/EDM the tool, then harden and temper. | 600 | 900 | 8 | 26 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
Hardened & Tempered | Highest hardness setting for pure abrasive wear with well-supported, low-impact tooling. | 2,000 | 2,200 | 0.5 | 63 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
60–62 HRC (standard wear setting) | Default working hardness for blanking dies, powder-compaction tooling and granulator knives. | 2,100 | 61 HRC | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways A11 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Hot Rolled + Annealed Bar | Hot rolled / forged and annealed bar | Supply form |
Ground Flat Stock | Annealed, precision ground flat stock / plate | Surface finish |
What is A11?
A11 (CPM 10V) is a powder-metallurgy high-carbon, high-vanadium cold-work tool steel — about 2.45% C and nearly 10% V — whose fine, evenly distributed MC vanadium carbides give wear resistance far above D2 or A2. It is chosen for long-life blanking and shearing tools, powder compaction dies, pelletizing and shredder blades and extruder screw parts where abrasive wear ends tool life; stock is annealed (269 HB) or hardened to 62–64 HRC. Toughness and chipping resistance are lower than in lower-carbide grades, machining and grinding are slow and costly, and with only about 5% Cr it does not resist corrosion. A11 has a density of 7.41 g/cm³ (0.268 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of steel grades. A11 has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 221 GPa (32.1 Msi).
What is A11 used for?
- Blanking and piercing punches
- Powder compaction tooling
- Slitter and shear knives
- Pelletizing and shredder blades
- Extruder screw bushings and liners
- Cold forming and coining dies
- Wear plates and die guides
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
- High strength — 600 MPa (87 ksi), better than 77% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 32 MPa·√m (29.1 ksi·√in), worse than 95% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 21 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of steel grades
A11 properties
Typical room-temperature values for A11-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical1
A11 has a density of 7.41 g/cm³ (0.268 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of steel grades.
Mechanical16
A11 has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 221 GPa (32.1 Msi).
Thermal5
A11 is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 21 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.6 µm/m·K (5.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
A11 conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, worse than 96% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (20/100), better than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of A11 takes about 55 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 94% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability5
A11's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. A11 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with A11
Is A11 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and coated carbide or CBN; grinding needs soft/friable SG or CBN wheels because 10% V carbides destroy conventional Al2O3 wheels.
Can A11 be welded?
Essentially non-weldable for structural joints; repair only by preheated (≈480 °C) TIG/microwelding with matched or tool-steel filler followed by re-temper.
Can A11 be formed, bent or molded?
No cold forming; hot work 1040–1150 °C with slow controlled cooling, then full anneal — heat treat: austenitize 1100–1150 °C, quench, temper 2×2 h at 200–550 °C, cryo optional.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to A11. Every A11 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair20 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
A11 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 2.35 – 2.55 | 2.45 |
| Vforms MC vanadium carbides, ~15–17 vol% | 9.5 – 10 | 9.75 |
| Cr | 5 – 5.5 | 5.25 |
| Mo | 1.15 – 1.45 | 1.3 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Si | 0.8 – 1 | 0.9 |
| Ssulfur-enhanced machinability versions available | ≤ 0.07 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on A11?
Wire EDM and grinding are the normal finishing routes; phosphating, nitriding or PVD (TiCN/AlCrN) coatings are used for galling and corrosion protection since the steel rusts readily.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
How much does A11 cost?
A11 is a specialty-cost steel ($$$$$), pricier than about 98% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
A11 — frequently asked
What is A11 used for?
A11 is typically used for blanking and piercing punches, powder compaction tooling, slitter and shear knives, pelletizing and shredder blades, extruder screw bushings and liners and cold forming and coining dies. In short: extreme wear resistance.
What is the yield strength of A11?
A11 has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is A11 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and coated carbide or CBN; grinding needs soft/friable SG or CBN wheels because 10% V carbides destroy conventional Al2O3 wheels.
Can A11 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Essentially non-weldable for structural joints; repair only by preheated (≈480 °C) TIG/microwelding with matched or tool-steel filler followed by re-temper.
What surface finishes work on A11?
Wire EDM and grinding are the normal finishing routes; phosphating, nitriding or PVD (TiCN/AlCrN) coatings are used for galling and corrosion protection since the steel rusts readily.
Can A11 be formed, bent or molded?
No cold forming; hot work 1040–1150 °C with slow controlled cooling, then full anneal — heat treat: austenitize 1100–1150 °C, quench, temper 2×2 h at 200–550 °C, cryo optional.
What is the maximum service temperature of A11?
A11 is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does A11 cost?
A11 is a specialty-cost steel ($$$$$), pricier than about 98% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in A11?
Yes — A11 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
- CPM 10V Data Sheet — Crucible Industries (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM A681 — Alloy Tool Steels — ASTM International (2015)
- PM cold-work tool steel comparison data — Erasteel / Böhler-Uddeholm technical literature (2021)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.