Steel T13A
GB T13A
T13A is the highest-carbon grade (~1.3 %C) of the T7–T13 (SK) carbon tool steel series, relying on a high spheroidized carbide content for maximum hardness and wear resistance, and supplied annealed, hot rolled annealed, cold rolled hard, normalized or quenched and tempered to 55–65 HRC.
Reference datasheet — T13A 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
T13A tempers and conditions
T13A is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. A is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Standard stocked condition of bar, strip and plate — soft enough to machine and blank before hardening. | 420 | 700 | 18 | 197 HB | — |
Hot rolled + annealed bar/plate | As-supplied hot-rolled sections with black scale, annealed; cheapest form for tools that will be fully machined and hardened. | 420 | 700 | 17 | 14 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
Normalized | Used to break up grain-boundary carbide networks in forgings before spheroidize annealing; not a delivery condition for finished tools. | 520 | 950 | 8 | 30 HRC | 9 % IACS |
Cold drawn, annealed | Ground/drawn bright bar and drill rod, close tolerance — the usual form for small punches, gravers and needle tools. | 600 | 780 | 10 | 19 HRC | 9.2 % IACS |
Cold rolled hard strip | Work-hardened thin strip for blades and shim tools that are hardened after blanking, or used semi-hard as-is. | 800 | 950 | 4 | 29 HRC | 9 % IACS |
Q&T 60–62 HRC | Slightly tempered-back condition giving a little more toughness for knives, woodworking blades and light punches. | 1,700 | 1,950 | 1 | 61 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
Q&T 55–58 HRC | Toughest usable hardened condition for hand tools, chisels and shear blades that see shock; sacrifices some wear resistance. | 1,750 | 1.5 | 57 HRC | — | |
Q&T 63–65 HRC | Maximum hardness and wear resistance for razors, files, engravers and scrapers where impact loading is negligible. | 2,100 | 0.5 | 64 HRC | — |
What is T13A?
T13A is the highest-carbon grade (~1.3 %C) of the T7–T13 (SK) carbon tool steel series, relying on a high spheroidized carbide content for maximum hardness and wear resistance, and supplied annealed, hot rolled annealed, cold rolled hard, normalized or quenched and tempered to 55–65 HRC. It is used for razor blades, engraving tools and other fine-edge cutters, mostly from thin annealed strip. The trade-offs are low toughness, shallow hardenability, no corrosion resistance, a service limit near 300 °C and machinability of only about 30 % of 1212. Use T9A or T10A where edge chipping is a risk. T13A has a density of 7.81 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of steel grades. It melts at 1,260°C (2,300 °F). T13A has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is T13A used for?
- razor blades
- engraving tools
- fine-edge cutters
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
T13A properties
Typical room-temperature values for T13A-A; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
T13A has a density of 7.81 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 84% of steel grades. It melts at 1,260°C (2,300 °F).
Mechanical15
T13A has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
T13A is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.3 µm/m·K (6.28 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
T13A conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of T13A takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
T13A's machinability is fair (40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. T13A is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with T13A
Is T13A easy to machine?
Machine only in the spheroidize-annealed condition (~30 % of 1212); sharp carbide or HSS tools, moderate speeds — hardened T13A needs grinding or EDM.
Can T13A be welded?
Essentially unweldable structurally; if repair is unavoidable preheat 250–350 °C, use low-hydrogen or high-nickel filler and re-anneal immediately.
Can T13A be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form and blank only in annealed strip with generous radii; hot forge 1050→850 °C, cool slowly and normalize + spheroidize anneal to break up carbide networks.
T13A 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chypereutectoid; excess spheroidal cementite | 1.25 – 1.35 | 1.3 |
| Si | ≤ 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Phigh-grade 'A' quality limit | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Shigh-grade 'A' quality limit | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on T13A?
Takes a fine mirror polish when hardened; protect with oil, wax, black oxide, phosphate or thin plating since it rusts readily — grind wet to avoid temper burn.
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
How much does T13A cost?
T13A is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
T13A — frequently asked
What is T13A used for?
T13A is typically used for razor blades, engraving tools and fine-edge cutters. In short: hardest carbon tool steel; fine-edge blade grade; high wear, low toughness.
What is the yield strength of T13A?
T13A has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is T13A easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (40/100, worse than 77% of steel grades). Machine only in the spheroidize-annealed condition (~30 % of 1212); sharp carbide or HSS tools, moderate speeds — hardened T13A needs grinding or EDM.
Can T13A be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). Essentially unweldable structurally; if repair is unavoidable preheat 250–350 °C, use low-hydrogen or high-nickel filler and re-anneal immediately.
What surface finishes work on T13A?
Takes a fine mirror polish when hardened; protect with oil, wax, black oxide, phosphate or thin plating since it rusts readily — grind wet to avoid temper burn.
Can T13A be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form and blank only in annealed strip with generous radii; hot forge 1050→850 °C, cool slowly and normalize + spheroidize anneal to break up carbide networks.
What is the maximum service temperature of T13A?
T13A 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 T13A-A and T13A QT60-62?
A is the default condition — standard stocked condition of bar, strip and plate — soft enough to machine and blank before hardening. QT60-62: slightly tempered-back condition giving a little more toughness for knives, woodworking blades and light punches. Yield strength is 420 MPa in A versus 1,700 MPa in QT60-62.
How much does T13A cost?
T13A is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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
- ASTM A686 Carbon Tool Steel (W1 class) — ASTM (2020)
- JIS G4401 Carbon Tool Steels (SK120/SK1) — JSA (2009)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1991)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Tool Materials — ASM International (1995)
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.