Steel SKH2
JIS SKH2 · AISI/SAE T1
SKH2 is the JIS tungsten high-speed steel corresponding to AISI T1, a W-Cr-V grade that develops red hardness from tungsten carbides after high-temperature hardening and tempering.
Reference datasheet — SKH2 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the A condition
SKH2 tempers and conditions
SKH2 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. A is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Standard mill condition for machining tool blanks before hardening. | 540 | 880 | 18 | 240 HB | — |
Hardened & triple tempered to 60–62 HRC | Lower-hardness, tougher setting for interrupted cuts, large broaches, form tools and cold-work punches. | 2,100 | 61 HRC | — | ||
Hardened & tempered + steam-oxide (blue) surface treatment | Choose for drills/taps where the oxide film holds lubricant and reduces built-up edge on steel. | 2,100 | 2,300 | 0.5 | 63 HRC | 2.8 % IACS |
Hardened & tempered + nitrided / PVD coated | Surface-engineered condition for higher cutting speeds and abrasive workpieces; core properties unchanged. | 2,150 | 2,350 | 0.4 | 64 HRC | 2.8 % IACS |
Hardened & triple tempered to 62–64 HRC | Standard working hardness for general-purpose lathe tools, milling cutters and drills. | 2,250 | 63 HRC | — | ||
Hardened & triple tempered to 64–66 HRC | Maximum wear resistance and red hardness for finishing tools on soft workpieces; least tough — avoid shock loading. | 2,300 | 65 HRC | — |
What is SKH2?
SKH2 is the JIS tungsten high-speed steel corresponding to AISI T1, a W-Cr-V grade that develops red hardness from tungsten carbides after high-temperature hardening and tempering. It is used for general cutting tools, available annealed (240 HB, 880 MPa tensile, 540 MPa yield, 18 % elongation) or hardened 60-66 HRC with steam-oxide and nitrided finishes. Listed maximum service temperature is 300 C, machinability about 35 and formability 12. It has no corrosion resistance bare, poor weldability and lower hot hardness than cobalt grades such as SKH57 (M42), which is the alternative for harder workpieces. SKH2 has a density of 8.67 g/cm³ (0.313 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of steel grades. It melts at 1,290°C (2,354 °F). SKH2 has a yield strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi).
What is SKH2 used for?
- Drills
- Reamers
- Lathe tools
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 22/100, better than 90% of steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 21 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 3.4 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 12/100, worse than 92% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 3.1 % IACS, worse than 89% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 18/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
SKH2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for SKH2-A; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
SKH2 has a density of 8.67 g/cm³ (0.313 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of steel grades. It melts at 1,290°C (2,354 °F).
Mechanical14
SKH2 has a yield strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi).
Thermal6
SKH2 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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
SKH2 conducts electricity at 3.1 % IACS, worse than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), better than 90% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SKH2 takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
SKH2's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades); weldability poor (18/100); 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. SKH2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with SKH2
Is SKH2 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed condition (≤255 HB) with sharp cobalt-HSS or coated carbide, rigid setups and flood coolant; hardened tools require grinding (Al₂O₃/CBN) or EDM.
Can SKH2 be welded?
Poor weldability — repair welding only with matching HSS filler, 500–550 °C preheat/interpass and immediate re-temper at 550–560 °C to avoid quench cracks.
Can SKH2 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1150 °C, finish above 950 °C and cool slowly in furnace/vermiculite followed by 850–870 °C anneal; no meaningful cold forming.
SKH2 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 | 0.73 – 0.83 | 0.78 |
| Si | ≤ 0.45 | 0.25 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 3.8 – 4.5 | 4.15 |
| Wprincipal red-hardness element | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| V | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1.1 |
| Moresidual; not a specified alloying addition in SKH2 | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on SKH2?
Hardened surfaces take a mirror polish; protect with black oxide, steam blue, phosphate or PVD TiN/TiAlN — not anodizable and not corrosion-resistant bare.
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel SKH2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- AISI / SAE
- T1
How much does SKH2 cost?
SKH2 is a high-cost steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
SKH2 — frequently asked
What is SKH2 used for?
SKH2 is typically used for drills, reamers and lathe tools. In short: classic tungsten HSS; well-known T1 equivalent; lower cost than cobalt HSS.
What is the yield strength of SKH2?
SKH2 has a typical yield strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is SKH2 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed condition (≤255 HB) with sharp cobalt-HSS or coated carbide, rigid setups and flood coolant; hardened tools require grinding (Al₂O₃/CBN) or EDM.
Can SKH2 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (18/100). Poor weldability — repair welding only with matching HSS filler, 500–550 °C preheat/interpass and immediate re-temper at 550–560 °C to avoid quench cracks.
What surface finishes work on SKH2?
Hardened surfaces take a mirror polish; protect with black oxide, steam blue, phosphate or PVD TiN/TiAlN — not anodizable and not corrosion-resistant bare.
Can SKH2 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1150 °C, finish above 950 °C and cool slowly in furnace/vermiculite followed by 850–870 °C anneal; no meaningful cold forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of SKH2?
SKH2 is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between SKH2-A and SKH2 QT-NIT?
A is the default condition — standard mill condition for machining tool blanks before hardening. QT-NIT: surface-engineered condition for higher cutting speeds and abrasive workpieces; core properties unchanged. Yield strength is 540 MPa in A versus 2,150 MPa in QT-NIT.
How much does SKH2 cost?
SKH2 is a high-cost steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
Sources
- JIS G4403 High Speed Tool Steel Materials — JSA (2015)
- GB/T 9943 (W18Cr4V) — SAC (2008)
- ASTM A600 Standard Specification for Tool Steel High Speed (T1) — ASTM (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16: Machining — ASM International (1989)
- High speed steel T1/W18Cr4V technical data — Böhler / Hitachi Metals (typical) (2020)
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.