Steel SKS3 As-Quenched
Heat-treated state
JIS SKS3
Intermediate condition only — maximum hardness but highly stressed; must be tempered promptly.
Values for the As-Quenched condition
Other SKS3 tempers and conditions
SKS3 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at SKS3.
- Annealed
- Hardened & Tempered
- As-Quenched
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault spheroidize annealed, soft supply condition | Standard stock condition for bar, flat and ground stock — machine to shape here, then harden. | 450 | 750 | 18 | 200 HB | — |
oil quench + 150–200 °C temper, 60–62 HRC | Choose for gauges, blanking dies and cutting edges where maximum wear resistance and dimensional stability matter. | 1,950 | 2,200 | 1 | 61 HRC | — |
As-QuenchedThis page 800–830 °C oil quench, untempered | Intermediate condition only — maximum hardness but highly stressed; must be tempered promptly. | 2,000 | 2,350 | 0 | 64 HRC | 5.5 % IACS |
What is SKS3 As-Quenched?
SKS3 As-Quenched is SKS3 heat treated to As-Quenched — intermediate condition only — maximum hardness but highly stressed; must be tempered promptly. SKS3 As-Quenched has a yield strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,350 MPa (341 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi). SKS3 As-Quenched 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; As-Quenched is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 2,000 MPa (290 ksi), better than 100% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0%, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 3/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 2/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 99% of steel grades
SKS3 As-Quenched properties
Typical room-temperature values for SKS3 As-Quenched; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are SKS3 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
SKS3 As-Quenched 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).
Mechanical14
SKS3 As-Quenched has a yield strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,350 MPa (341 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
SKS3 As-Quenched is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 25 W/m·K (14.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 88% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.5 µm/m·K (6.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SKS3 As-Quenched conducts electricity at 5.5 % IACS, worse than 81% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SKS3 As-Quenched takes about 34 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
SKS3 As-Quenched's machinability is not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (3/100); formability not recommended (2/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with SKS3 As-Quenched
Is SKS3 easy to machine?
Machine fully in the annealed condition with sharp carbide or HSS tooling; after hardening only grinding, EDM or hard turning at ≤61 HRC is practical.
Can SKS3 be welded?
Poor weldability — high carbon promotes cracking; repair only with matched tool-steel filler, 300–400 °C preheat and immediate re-temper.
Can SKS3 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming limited to gentle bending of thin annealed stock; hot work 850–1050 °C followed by slow cooling and spheroidize anneal at 760–790 °C.
What surface finishes work on SKS3?
Takes a fine ground and lapped or mirror-polished finish; protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate, hard chrome or nitriding since bare surfaces rust quickly.
SKS3 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 | 0.9 – 1 | 0.95 |
| Simax per JIS G 4404 | ≤ 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Cr | 0.5 – 1 | 0.65 |
| W | 0.5 – 1 | 0.65 |
| Niresidual, max | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Curesidual, max | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
SKS3 As-Quenched — frequently asked
What is SKS3 As-Quenched used for?
SKS3 As-Quenched is typically used for gauges and measuring tools, blanking and piercing dies, paper and guillotine knives, taps and threading dies, punches and shear blades. In short: oil-hardening tool steel.
What is the yield strength of SKS3 As-Quenched?
SKS3 As-Quenched has a typical yield strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,350 MPa (341 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is SKS3 As-Quenched easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine fully in the annealed condition with sharp carbide or HSS tooling; after hardening only grinding, EDM or hard turning at ≤61 HRC is practical.
Can SKS3 As-Quenched be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (3/100). Poor weldability — high carbon promotes cracking; repair only with matched tool-steel filler, 300–400 °C preheat and immediate re-temper.
What surface finishes work on SKS3 As-Quenched?
Takes a fine ground and lapped or mirror-polished finish; protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate, hard chrome or nitriding since bare surfaces rust quickly.
Can SKS3 As-Quenched be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming limited to gentle bending of thin annealed stock; hot work 850–1050 °C followed by slow cooling and spheroidize anneal at 760–790 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of SKS3 As-Quenched?
SKS3 As-Quenched is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in SKS3 As-Quenched?
Yes — SKS3 As-Quenched 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
- JIS G 4404 Alloy tool steels — JSA (2015)
- GB/T 1299 Tool and die steels (9CrWMn) — SAC (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (Oil-hardening cold-work tool steels) — ASM International (1991)
- 1.2510 / 100MnCrW4 cold work tool steel datasheet — Böhler / Buderus Edelstahl (2021)
- (SKS3 / 9CrWMn) — Mysteel / 1688 (2025)
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.