Steel W18Cr4V CD-Annealed
Supply condition
AISI/SAE T1 · EN X75WCrV18-4-1
Pick for small-diameter tool blanks and shanks needing close size and clean surface before hardening.
Values for the CD-Annealed condition
Other W18Cr4V tempers and conditions
W18Cr4V is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at W18Cr4V.
- Annealed
- CD-Annealed
- HT 64-66 HRC
- HT 62-64 HRC
- HT+Nitrided
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault spheroidize/soft annealed bar and forging stock (≤255 HB) | The standard as-delivered mill condition for round bar, flat and forging stock — machine tool blanks here, then harden. | 550 | 900 | 10 | 22 HRC | 3.7 % IACS |
CD-AnnealedThis page Cold drawn / bright ground annealed bar | Pick for small-diameter tool blanks and shanks needing close size and clean surface before hardening. | 750 | 1,000 | 7 | 26 HRC | 3.4 % IACS |
Hardened & triple tempered to 64–66 HRC | Maximum wear resistance and red hardness for drills, milling cutters and finishing tools in steady cuts. | — | 1,900 | 0.3 | 65 HRC | — |
Hardened & triple tempered to 62–64 HRC | Tougher working hardness for interrupted cuts, taps, broaches and larger form tools. | — | 2,000 | 0.5 | 63 HRC | — |
Hardened, tempered and (gas/salt-bath) nitrided surface | Choose for extra abrasion resistance on gear hobs, broaches and forming tools where the case can be kept thin and brittle edges avoided. | 2,050 | 2,200 | 0.5 | 65 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
What is W18Cr4V CD-Annealed?
W18Cr4V CD-Annealed is W18Cr4V supplied in the CD-Annealed condition — pick for small-diameter tool blanks and shanks needing close size and clean surface before hardening. W18Cr4V CD-Annealed has a yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 84% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi). W18Cr4V CD-Annealed has a density of 8.67 g/cm³ (0.313 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of steel grades. It melts at 1,330°C (2,426 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CD-Annealed is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- High strength — 750 MPa (109 ksi), better than 84% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 22 MPa·√m (20 ksi·√in), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 7%, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 4.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 22 W/m·K (12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of steel grades
W18Cr4V CD-Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for W18Cr4V CD-Annealed; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are W18Cr4V reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
W18Cr4V CD-Annealed has a density of 8.67 g/cm³ (0.313 lb/in³), heavier than 99% of steel grades. It melts at 1,330°C (2,426 °F).
Mechanical17
W18Cr4V CD-Annealed has a yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 84% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 220 GPa (31.9 Msi).
Thermal6
W18Cr4V CD-Annealed is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 22 W/m·K (12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11 µm/m·K (6.11 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
W18Cr4V CD-Annealed conducts electricity at 3.4 % IACS, worse than 86% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (20/100), better than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of W18Cr4V CD-Annealed takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 96% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
W18Cr4V CD-Annealed's machinability is fair (36/100, worse than 81% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with W18Cr4V CD-Annealed
Is W18Cr4V easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed condition (≤255 HB) with rigid setups, cobalt-HSS or coated carbide, low speeds and generous coolant; once hardened above 60 HRC it is a grinding-only material — W18Cr4V grinds noticeably better than high-V Mo-type HSS.
Can W18Cr4V be welded?
Avoid structural welding; repair or shank-to-body joining is done by silver brazing or by TIG/electrode welding with matching HSS filler at 500–550 °C preheat followed immediately by a full temper cycle.
Can W18Cr4V be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work only — forge 1100–1150 °C (stop above 900 °C) with slow furnace cooling, then spheroidize anneal 850–870 °C; harden by preheat 800–850 °C, austenitize 1270–1285 °C (salt/vacuum, short soak), oil/salt or gas quench, then triple temper 550–570 °C × 1 h.
What surface finishes work on W18Cr4V?
Cannot be anodized; standard finishes are steam/black oxide, salt-bath nitrocarburizing or PVD TiN/TiAlN; parts must be oiled or coated for storage because the 4 % Cr gives no real corrosion resistance.
W18Cr4V 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 | 0.73 – 0.83 | 0.78 |
| Si | 0.2 – 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Cr | 3.8 – 4.5 | 4.15 |
| W | 17.2 – 18.7 | 18 |
| V | 1 – 1.2 | 1.1 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Coresidual | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
W18Cr4V CD-Annealed — frequently asked
What is W18Cr4V CD-Annealed used for?
W18Cr4V CD-Annealed is typically used for lathe tools, drills, taps and broaches. In short: classic T1 tungsten HSS; grinds better than Mo-V HSS; general-purpose tool steel.
What is the yield strength of W18Cr4V CD-Annealed?
W18Cr4V CD-Annealed has a typical yield strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,000 MPa (145 ksi) — stronger than 84% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is W18Cr4V CD-Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (36/100, worse than 81% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed condition (≤255 HB) with rigid setups, cobalt-HSS or coated carbide, low speeds and generous coolant; once hardened above 60 HRC it is a grinding-only material — W18Cr4V grinds noticeably better than high-V Mo-type HSS.
Can W18Cr4V CD-Annealed be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). Avoid structural welding; repair or shank-to-body joining is done by silver brazing or by TIG/electrode welding with matching HSS filler at 500–550 °C preheat followed immediately by a full temper cycle.
What surface finishes work on W18Cr4V CD-Annealed?
Cannot be anodized; standard finishes are steam/black oxide, salt-bath nitrocarburizing or PVD TiN/TiAlN; parts must be oiled or coated for storage because the 4 % Cr gives no real corrosion resistance.
Can W18Cr4V CD-Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work only — forge 1100–1150 °C (stop above 900 °C) with slow furnace cooling, then spheroidize anneal 850–870 °C; harden by preheat 800–850 °C, austenitize 1270–1285 °C (salt/vacuum, short soak), oil/salt or gas quench, then triple temper 550–570 °C × 1 h.
What is the maximum service temperature of W18Cr4V CD-Annealed?
W18Cr4V CD-Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- GB/T 9943 (HS18-0-1 / W18Cr4V) (2008)
- ASTM A600 Standard Specification for Tool Steel High Speed (Type T1) — ASTM International (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (High-Speed Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (Heat Treating of High-Speed Tool Steels) — ASM International (1991)
- Tool Steels, 5th ed. — ASM International (Roberts, Krauss, Kennedy) (1998)
- (W18Cr4V/HS18-0-1) (2022)
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.