Steel W2
AISI/SAE W2 · UNS T72302
W2 is a water-hardening plain-carbon tool steel (UNS T72302, also supplied as T10) in which a small vanadium addition refines grain size and gives a finer, more stable cutting edge than plain W1.
Values for the Annealed condition
W2 tempers and conditions
W2 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault spheroidize annealed, soft machinable condition | Standard stock condition for machining, grinding and forming before hardening. | 400 | 730 | 22 | 200 HB | — |
mill finish, unannealed | Cheapest bar form; harder and less uniform than annealed, normally annealed before machining. | 470 | 850 | 14 | 22 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
Cold drawn / precision ground drill rod & flat stock | Annealed-and-ground stock held to close size for punches, drill rod and knife blanks. | 560 | 780 | 12 | 17 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
Quenched & Tempered | Tougher setting for shock tools, springs and heavy-impact punches where chipping must be avoided. | 1,450 | 1,750 | 5 | 53 HRC | — |
As water quenched (untempered martensite) | Peak hardness reference condition only — must be tempered immediately to avoid quench cracking. | 1,800 | 2,000 | 0.5 | 65 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
62–64 HRC (low temper, 150–200 °C) | Maximum wear resistance and edge retention for knives, wood chisels, files and cutting tools. | 2,300 | 1 | 63 HRC | — |
What is W2?
W2 is a water-hardening plain-carbon tool steel (UNS T72302, also supplied as T10) in which a small vanadium addition refines grain size and gives a finer, more stable cutting edge than plain W1. It is chosen for hand and edge tooling that needs a hard shallow case over a tough unhardened core, and is stocked as annealed, hot-rolled and cold-drawn bar, hardening to 50–55 HRC. Annealed stock runs about 200 HB with 400 MPa yield, 730 MPa tensile and 22 % elongation, and service is limited to roughly 300 °C. Water quenching brings distortion and cracking risk, weldability is poor and there is no corrosion resistance; O1 is the usual oil-hardening alternative. W2 has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). W2 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is W2 used for?
- Chisels
- Punches
- Knife blanks
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 — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
W2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for W2-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
W2 has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical15
W2 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
W2 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 12.4 µm/m·K (6.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
W2 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 W2 takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
W2's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. W2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with W2
Is W2 easy to machine?
Machine in the spheroidize-annealed condition (~200 HB, ~30 % of AISI 1212); after hardening only grinding or EDM is practical.
Can W2 be welded?
Poor weldability — high carbon equivalent; if unavoidable, preheat 300–400 °C, use low-hydrogen/tool-steel filler and temper immediately after.
Can W2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming limited to gentle bends when annealed; hot work at 900–1050 °C, stop above 850 °C and cool slowly, then spheroidize anneal at 740–760 °C.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to W2. Every W2 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
W2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A686 supplies W2 in carbon subgrades W2-8½ … W2-1 (0.85–1.50 %); 1.00–1.10 % is the common stock level | 0.85 – 1.5 | 1.05 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Vgrain refiner; distinguishes W2 from W1 | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Crresidual max | ≤ 0.15 | 0.08 |
| Niresidual max | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Moresidual max | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Wresidual max | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Curesidual max | ≤ 0.2 | |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on W2?
Rust-prone: oil, black oxide or phosphate immediately after hardening; takes a high polish and can be nitrided or hard chrome plated below the tempering temperature.
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).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel W2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- T72302
- Similar grades
- T10
How much does W2 cost?
W2 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), pricier than about 57% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
W2 — frequently asked
What is W2 used for?
W2 is typically used for chisels, punches and knife blanks. In short: water-hardening tool steel.
What is the yield strength of W2?
W2 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is W2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machine in the spheroidize-annealed condition (~200 HB, ~30 % of AISI 1212); after hardening only grinding or EDM is practical.
Can W2 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Poor weldability — high carbon equivalent; if unavoidable, preheat 300–400 °C, use low-hydrogen/tool-steel filler and temper immediately after.
What surface finishes work on W2?
Rust-prone: oil, black oxide or phosphate immediately after hardening; takes a high polish and can be nitrided or hard chrome plated below the tempering temperature.
Can W2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold forming limited to gentle bends when annealed; hot work at 900–1050 °C, stop above 850 °C and cool slowly, then spheroidize anneal at 740–760 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of W2?
W2 is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does W2 cost?
W2 is a premium-cost steel ($$$), pricier than about 57% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in W2?
Yes — W2 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 (Water-hardening tool steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining (tool steel machinability ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- Tool Steels, 5th ed. — ASM International (1998)
- GB/T 1298 (T8–T13, 9CrV analogues) (2008)
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.