Steel T1 · heat-treated state
Steel T1 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other T1 tempers.
Pick when shock loading or large sections demand toughness over ultimate edge hardness (punches, broaches, form tools).
What is T1 Q&T?
T1 Q&T is T1 heat treated to Q&T — pick when shock loading or large sections demand toughness over ultimate edge hardness (punches, broaches, form tools). T1 Q&T has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi). T1 Q&T 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 520°C (968 °F), better than 92% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 22/100, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 10/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- 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
T1 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for T1 Q&T — 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 Q&T 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 Q&T has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi).
Thermal6
T1 Q&T is rated for continuous service to 520°C (968 °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 Q&T 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 Q&T 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 Q&T's machinability is not recommended (10/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability poor (15/100).
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 Q&T
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 Q&T — frequently asked
What is T1 Q&T used for?
T1 Q&T is typically used for twist drills, milling cutters and reamers. In short: workhorse high-speed tool.
What is the yield strength of T1 Q&T?
T1 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is T1 Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (10/100, worse than 100% 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 Q&T 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 Q&T?
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 Q&T 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 Q&T?
T1 Q&T is rated for continuous use to about 520°C (968 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in T1 Q&T?
Yes — T1 Q&T 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.