Steel W2 As Quenched
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE W2 · UNS T72302
Peak hardness reference condition only — must be tempered immediately to avoid quench cracking.
Values for the As Quenched condition
Other W2 tempers and conditions
W2 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at W2.
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 QuenchedThis page 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 As Quenched?
W2 As Quenched is W2 heat treated to As Quenched — peak hardness reference condition only — must be tempered immediately to avoid quench cracking. W2 As Quenched has a yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 203 GPa (29.4 Msi). W2 As Quenched 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; As Quenched is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,800 MPa (261 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 94% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.5%, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 120°C (248 °F), worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 3/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 2/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
W2 As Quenched properties
Typical room-temperature values for W2 As Quenched; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are W2 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
W2 As Quenched 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 As Quenched has a yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 0.5% and the elastic modulus is 203 GPa (29.4 Msi).
Thermal6
W2 As Quenched is rated for continuous service to 120°C (248 °F). It conducts heat at 36 W/m·K (20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 73% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.4 µm/m·K (6.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
W2 As Quenched conducts electricity at 7.2 % IACS, worse than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (9/100), worse than 98% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of W2 As Quenched 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 As Quenched's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (3/100); formability not recommended (2/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with W2 As Quenched
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.
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.
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 | — |
W2 As Quenched — frequently asked
What is W2 As Quenched used for?
W2 As Quenched is typically used for chisels, punches and knife blanks. In short: water-hardening tool steel.
What is the yield strength of W2 As Quenched?
W2 As Quenched has a typical yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is W2 As Quenched easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% 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 As Quenched be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (3/100). 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 As Quenched?
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 As Quenched 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 As Quenched?
W2 As Quenched is rated for continuous use to about 120°C (248 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in W2 As Quenched?
Yes — W2 As Quenched 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.