Steel T1 · temper · default condition
Steel T1 Annealed
Properties of the Annealed condition, compared with the other T1 tempers.
The as-supplied stock condition: soft enough (≤255 HB) to machine tool blanks before hardening.
What is T1 Annealed?
T1 Annealed is T1 in the Annealed temper — the as-supplied stock condition: soft enough (≤255 HB) to machine tool blanks before hardening. T1 Annealed has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi). T1 Annealed has a density of 8.7 g/cm³ (0.314 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of steel grades. It melts at 1,340°C (2,444 °F).
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 22/100, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 21 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 3.1 % IACS, worse than 89% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
T1 Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for T1 Annealed — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every T1 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
T1 Annealed has a density of 8.7 g/cm³ (0.314 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of steel grades. It melts at 1,340°C (2,444 °F).
Mechanical14
T1 Annealed has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi).
Thermal6
T1 Annealed is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 21 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 94% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11 µm/m·K (6.11 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
T1 Annealed conducts electricity at 3.1 % IACS, worse than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), better than 89% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of T1 Annealed takes about 52 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 45%.
Manufacturability7
T1 Annealed's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 83% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability poor (15/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other T1 tempers and conditions
T1 is also supplied in 2 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the T1 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultThe as-supplied stock condition: soft enough (≤255 HB) to machine tool blanks before hardening.560 MPa yield · 235 HB
- Hardened & TemperedFull working condition for cutting tools — maximum hot hardness and wear resistance at the cost of toughness.2,200 MPa tensile
- Q&TPick when shock loading or large sections demand toughness over ultimate edge hardness (punches, broaches, form tools).2,000 MPa tensile
Working with T1 Annealed
Is T1 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed condition with rigid setups, sharp cobalt-HSS or coated-carbide tooling and low speeds; after hardening only grinding (CBN/SiC wheels) or EDM is practical.
Can T1 be welded?
Not a structural weld metal — repair weld with matching HSS electrodes at 500–550 °C preheat, then immediately re-temper; risk of quench cracking is high.
Can T1 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1150 °C (never below ~900 °C), cool slowly and full-anneal at 850–900 °C; cold forming is impractical.
What surface finishes work on T1?
Black-oxide, steam-blue, nitride or PVD TiN/TiAlN coatings are standard for cutting tools; unprotected surfaces must be oiled since the 4 % Cr gives no stainless behaviour.
T1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Csome standards allow up to 0.80 C for higher wear resistance | 0.65 – 0.8 | 0.73 |
| Wprimary hot-hardness carbide former | 17.25 – 18.75 | 18 |
| Cr | 3.75 – 4.5 | 4.1 |
| V | 0.9 – 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Si | 0.2 – 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Mooptional/residual in some specifications | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
T1 Annealed — frequently asked
What is T1 Annealed used for?
T1 Annealed is typically used for twist drills, milling cutters and reamers. In short: workhorse high-speed tool.
What is the yield strength of T1 Annealed?
T1 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is T1 Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 83% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed condition with rigid setups, sharp cobalt-HSS or coated-carbide tooling and low speeds; after hardening only grinding (CBN/SiC wheels) or EDM is practical.
Can T1 Annealed be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not a structural weld metal — repair weld with matching HSS electrodes at 500–550 °C preheat, then immediately re-temper; risk of quench cracking is high.
What surface finishes work on T1 Annealed?
Black-oxide, steam-blue, nitride or PVD TiN/TiAlN coatings are standard for cutting tools; unprotected surfaces must be oiled since the 4 % Cr gives no stainless behaviour.
Can T1 Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1150 °C (never below ~900 °C), cool slowly and full-anneal at 850–900 °C; cold forming is impractical.
What is the maximum service temperature of T1 Annealed?
T1 Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in T1 Annealed?
Yes — T1 Annealed is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A600 — Standard Specification for Tool Steel High Speed — ASTM International (2016)
- GB/T 9943 (W18Cr4V) (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (High-Speed Tool Steels) — ASM International (1991)
- Machinery's Handbook — Tool Steels and Machinability Ratings — Industrial Press (2020)
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.