Steel W1 Stress Relieved
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE W1 · UNS T72301
Intermediate step for thin or asymmetric parts to cut distortion during the subsequent water quench.
Values for the Stress Relieved condition
Other W1 tempers and conditions
W1 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at W1.
- Stress Relieved
- Annealed
- Hot Rolled
- Cold Drawn
- Hardened & Tempered
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress RelievedThis page Stress Relieved (annealed + 600–650 °C relief after rough machining) | Intermediate step for thin or asymmetric parts to cut distortion during the subsequent water quench. | 440 | 740 | 23 | 195 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault soft, spheroidized-carbide supply condition | Default stock condition for bar, flat and drill rod — machine, form and file it, then harden. | 460 | 760 | 22 | 200 HB | — |
Hot Rolled (as-rolled / mill scale, unannealed) | Cheapest large-section supply form; expect a hard pearlitic skin and decarburized layer — anneal before machining. | 520 | 900 | 12 | 21 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
Cold Drawn / precision ground annealed (drill rod, flat ground stock) | Choose when you want close diameter tolerance and a bright surface straight from stock (classic W1 drill rod). | 620 | 830 | 14 | 16 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
brine quench + 150–200 °C stress-relief temper, 62–65 HRC | Maximum hardness and wear/edge retention for files, razors, scrapers and engraving tools; accept brittleness and shallow case. | 2,000 | 2,300 | 1 | 64 HRC | — |
What is W1 Stress Relieved?
W1 Stress Relieved is W1 heat treated to Stress Relieved — intermediate step for thin or asymmetric parts to cut distortion during the subsequent water quench. W1 Stress Relieved has a yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 740 MPa (107 ksi) — stronger than 50% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). W1 Stress Relieved has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Stress Relieved is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 94% 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 — 18/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
W1 Stress Relieved properties
Typical room-temperature values for W1 Stress Relieved; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are W1 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
W1 Stress Relieved has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical15
W1 Stress Relieved has a yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 740 MPa (107 ksi) — stronger than 50% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
W1 Stress Relieved is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.4 µm/m·K (6.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
W1 Stress Relieved conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (8/100), worse than 99% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of W1 Stress Relieved takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
W1 Stress Relieved's machinability is fair (46/100, worse than 59% of steel grades); weldability poor (18/100); formability fair (37/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with W1 Stress Relieved
Is W1 easy to machine?
Machines readily in the spheroidize-annealed state (~30 % of AISI 1212) with sharp HSS or coated carbide; above ~55 HRC only grinding, EDM or CBN turning is practical.
Can W1 be welded?
Poor weldability — high carbon promotes quench cracking; if unavoidable preheat 250–350 °C, use matching or low-hydrogen filler and temper immediately after.
Can W1 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 900–1050 °C (never below ~850 °C) then slow-cool and spheroidize anneal 740–760 °C; cold bending is limited and should be done annealed with generous radii.
What surface finishes work on W1?
Takes a very fine ground and polished edge; no anodizing — protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate or thin chrome/nitride coatings since bare W1 rusts quickly.
W1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Csupplied in graded carbon levels (e.g. W1-8 ≈ 0.80 %C, W1-10 ≈ 1.00 %C, W1-13 ≈ 1.30 %C) per ASTM A686 | 0.7 – 1.5 | 1 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Crresidual max | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Niresidual max | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Curesidual max | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Moresidual max | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Vresidual max; V-modified W1 variants up to 0.35 | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Wresidual max | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
W1 Stress Relieved — frequently asked
What is W1 Stress Relieved used for?
W1 Stress Relieved is typically used for hand chisels, woodworking tools and scissors. In short: sharpest cutting edge.
What is the yield strength of W1 Stress Relieved?
W1 Stress Relieved has a typical yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 740 MPa (107 ksi) — stronger than 50% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is W1 Stress Relieved easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (46/100, worse than 59% of steel grades). Machines readily in the spheroidize-annealed state (~30 % of AISI 1212) with sharp HSS or coated carbide; above ~55 HRC only grinding, EDM or CBN turning is practical.
Can W1 Stress Relieved be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (18/100). Poor weldability — high carbon promotes quench cracking; if unavoidable preheat 250–350 °C, use matching or low-hydrogen filler and temper immediately after.
What surface finishes work on W1 Stress Relieved?
Takes a very fine ground and polished edge; no anodizing — protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate or thin chrome/nitride coatings since bare W1 rusts quickly.
Can W1 Stress Relieved be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 900–1050 °C (never below ~850 °C) then slow-cool and spheroidize anneal 740–760 °C; cold bending is limited and should be done annealed with generous radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of W1 Stress Relieved?
W1 Stress Relieved 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 W1 Stress Relieved?
Yes — W1 Stress Relieved is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A686 — Standard Specification for Tool Steel, Carbon — ASTM International (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Tool Materials — ASM International (1995)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 16: Machining — ASM International (1989)
- GB/T 1298 T7A–T13A (2008)
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.