Steel T2
AISI/SAE T2 · UNS T12002
T2 is a tungsten high-speed steel (T12002) from the AISI T group, essentially T1 with higher vanadium for added wear resistance at the cutting edge.
Reference datasheet — T2 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 ANN condition
T2 tempers and conditions
T2 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. ANN is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard as-supplied condition for bars and blanks: soft enough to machine tool bodies before hardening. | 570 | 900 | 20 | 235 HB | — |
Cold drawn / ground annealed bar | Precision-ground or cold-drawn annealed bar for tool blanks needing close size and straightness before hardening. | 650 | 950 | 15 | 24 HRC | 3.1 % IACS |
Hardened & tempered 63–65 HRC | General working hardness for cutting tools where some toughness is wanted along with high wear resistance. | 1,900 | 2,100 | 0.5 | 64 HRC | 22 W/m·K |
Hardened, tempered + surface treated | Pick when tool life is limited by adhesive wear or built-up edge; core stays at working hardness while the case reaches 1000–1200 HV. | 1,900 | 2,000 | 0.5 | 64 HRC | 2.8 % IACS |
Hardened & tempered 65–66 HRC | Top-hardness condition for finishing cuts on abrasive or hard workpieces; lowest toughness, avoid interrupted cuts. | 2,000 | 2,100 | 0.5 | 66 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
What is T2?
T2 is a tungsten high-speed steel (T12002) from the AISI T group, essentially T1 with higher vanadium for added wear resistance at the cutting edge. Annealed bar is about 235 HB (570 MPa yield, 900 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation) and hardens to 64-66 HRC, so it is used for single-point and form tooling in hot-rolled or cold-drawn annealed bar and flats. Grinding is slower than on T1, the 4 % Cr gives no corrosion resistance, and continuous service is limited to about 400 °C; T4 or T15 are the choices when higher red hardness is required. T2 has a density of 8.67 g/cm³ (0.313 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). T2 has a yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 74% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
What is T2 used for?
- Cutting tools
- Reamers
- Form tools
- Lathe tools
Limitations
- Poor heat conductor — 21 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 4.2 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 3.1 % IACS, worse than 89% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 32/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
T2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for T2-ANN; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
T2 has a density of 8.67 g/cm³ (0.313 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical15
T2 has a yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 74% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 215 GPa (31.2 Msi).
Thermal6
T2 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 95% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.2 µm/m·K (6.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
T2 conducts electricity at 3.1 % IACS, worse than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (20/100), better than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of T2 takes about 58 MJ of energy and emits 4.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 95% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
T2's machinability is poor (32/100, worse than 87% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); 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.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. T2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with T2
Is T2 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed condition (~230 HB) with sharp cobalt-HSS or coated carbide, low speed and rigid setup; after hardening only grinding or EDM, and the 2% V content makes grinding wheels load faster than on T1.
Can T2 be welded?
Not a structural weld metal — repair-weld only with matching HSS filler, 500–550 °C preheat, interpass held hot, and an immediate triple temper to avoid quench cracking.
Can T2 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1150 °C, never below ~900 °C, slow-cool then anneal at 870–900 °C; cold forming is impractical.
T2 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 | 0.8 – 0.9 | 0.85 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Si | 0.2 – 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Cr | 3.75 – 4.5 | 4.1 |
| Wprimary red-hardness element | 17.5 – 19 | 18.2 |
| Vhigher than T1 — MC carbides for wear resistance | 1.8 – 2.4 | 2.1 |
| Mooptional/residual | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on T2?
Harden 1260–1280 °C (salt/vacuum, preheat steps), quench in oil/gas, temper 3× at 540–560 °C; finish with grinding plus black oxide, steam treat, nitriding or TiN/TiAlN PVD for wear and rust protection.
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
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel T2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- T12002
How much does T2 cost?
T2 is a high-cost steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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.
T2 — frequently asked
What is T2 used for?
T2 is typically used for cutting tools, reamers, form tools and lathe tools. In short: higher-vanadium T1; wear-resistant tungsten HSS; grinds slower than T1.
What is the yield strength of T2?
T2 has a typical yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 74% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is T2 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (32/100, worse than 87% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed condition (~230 HB) with sharp cobalt-HSS or coated carbide, low speed and rigid setup; after hardening only grinding or EDM, and the 2% V content makes grinding wheels load faster than on T1.
Can T2 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not a structural weld metal — repair-weld only with matching HSS filler, 500–550 °C preheat, interpass held hot, and an immediate triple temper to avoid quench cracking.
What surface finishes work on T2?
Harden 1260–1280 °C (salt/vacuum, preheat steps), quench in oil/gas, temper 3× at 540–560 °C; finish with grinding plus black oxide, steam treat, nitriding or TiN/TiAlN PVD for wear and rust protection.
Can T2 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1150 °C, never below ~900 °C, slow-cool then anneal at 870–900 °C; cold forming is impractical.
What is the maximum service temperature of T2?
T2 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.
What is the difference between T2-ANN and T2 HT-66?
ANN is the default condition — standard as-supplied condition for bars and blanks: soft enough to machine tool bodies before hardening. HT-66: top-hardness condition for finishing cuts on abrasive or hard workpieces; lowest toughness, avoid interrupted cuts. Yield strength is 570 MPa in ANN versus 2,000 MPa in HT-66.
How much does T2 cost?
T2 is a high-cost steel ($$$$), pricier than about 78% 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 A600 — Tool Steel High Speed Tool Steels — ASTM International (2021)
- GB/T 9943 (W18Cr4V / W18Cr4V2 series) (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Tool Steels, 5th ed. — ASM International (1998)
- Tungsten high-speed steel bar datasheets (T1/T2 type) — Böhler / Erasteel / (2023)
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.