Steel A11 · heat-treated state
Steel A11 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other A11 tempers.
Pick when impact/chipping resistance matters more than absolute wear life (thin blades, interrupted cuts).
What is A11 Q&T?
A11 Q&T is A11 heat treated to Q&T — pick when impact/chipping resistance matters more than absolute wear life (thin blades, interrupted cuts). A11 Q&T has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 221 GPa (32.1 Msi). A11 Q&T has a density of 7.41 g/cm³ (0.268 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of steel grades. Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
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 — 6/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 8/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 95% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 4.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 95% of steel grades
A11 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for A11 Q&T — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every A11 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical1
A11 Q&T has a density of 7.41 g/cm³ (0.268 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of steel grades.
Mechanical9
A11 Q&T has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 221 GPa (32.1 Msi).
Thermal5
A11 Q&T 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 94% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.6 µm/m·K (5.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
A11 Q&T has an electrical resistivity of 6.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (20/100), better than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of A11 Q&T 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 Q&T's machinability is not recommended (6/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability not recommended (8/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other A11 tempers and conditions
A11 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the A11 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard mill supply condition: machine/EDM the tool, then harden and temper.600 MPa yield · 26 HRC
- Hardened & TemperedDefault working hardness for blanking dies, powder-compaction tooling and granulator knives.2,100 MPa tensile
- Q&TPick when impact/chipping resistance matters more than absolute wear life (thin blades, interrupted cuts).2,000 MPa tensile
Working with A11 Q&T
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.
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.
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 | — |
A11 Q&T — frequently asked
What is A11 Q&T used for?
A11 Q&T 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 Q&T?
A11 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is A11 Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (6/100, worse than 100% 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 Q&T be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). 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 Q&T?
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 Q&T 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 Q&T?
A11 Q&T 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in A11 Q&T?
Yes — A11 Q&T is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.