Steel SKS3 · heat-treated state
Steel SKS3 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other SKS3 tempers.
Higher-temper option when a tougher, less chip-prone tool is needed (forming dies, punches, shear blades).
What is SKS3 Q&T?
SKS3 Q&T is SKS3 heat treated to Q&T — higher-temper option when a tougher, less chip-prone tool is needed (forming dies, punches, shear blades). SKS3 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). SKS3 Q&T 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; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,750 MPa (254 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 10/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of steel grades
SKS3 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for SKS3 Q&T — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every SKS3 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
SKS3 Q&T 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 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
SKS3 Q&T is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 33 W/m·K (19.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.5 µm/m·K (6.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SKS3 Q&T conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 74% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SKS3 Q&T 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 Q&T's machinability is not recommended (10/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other SKS3 tempers and conditions
SKS3 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the SKS3 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard stock condition for bar, flat and ground stock — machine to shape here, then harden.450 MPa yield · 200 HB
- Hardened & TemperedChoose for gauges, blanking dies and cutting edges where maximum wear resistance and dimensional stability matter.1,950 MPa yield · 61 HRC
- Q&THigher-temper option when a tougher, less chip-prone tool is needed (forming dies, punches, shear blades).1,750 MPa yield · 58 HRC
Working with SKS3 Q&T
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 Q&T — frequently asked
What is SKS3 Q&T used for?
SKS3 Q&T 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 Q&T?
SKS3 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is SKS3 Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (10/100, 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 Q&T be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). 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 Q&T?
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 Q&T 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 Q&T?
SKS3 Q&T is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in SKS3 Q&T?
Yes — SKS3 Q&T is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. 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.