Steel W2 · heat-treated state
Steel W2 Hardened & Tempered
Properties of the Hardened & Tempered condition, compared with the other W2 tempers.
Maximum wear resistance and edge retention for knives, wood chisels, files and cutting tools.
What is W2 Hardened & Tempered?
W2 Hardened & Tempered is W2 heat treated to Hardened & Tempered — maximum wear resistance and edge retention for knives, wood chisels, files and cutting tools. W2 Hardened & Tempered has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,300 MPa (334 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). W2 Hardened & Tempered 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; Hardened & Tempered is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 99% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
W2 Hardened & Tempered properties
Typical room-temperature values for W2 Hardened & Tempered — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every W2 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
W2 Hardened & Tempered 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 Hardened & Tempered has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,300 MPa (334 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
W2 Hardened & Tempered is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °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 Hardened & Tempered conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 74% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of W2 Hardened & Tempered takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 55% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
W2 Hardened & Tempered's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other W2 tempers and conditions
W2 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the W2 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard stock condition for machining, grinding and forming before hardening.400 MPa yield · 200 HB
- Hardened & TemperedMaximum wear resistance and edge retention for knives, wood chisels, files and cutting tools.2,300 MPa tensile
- Q&TBalanced hardness/toughness for punches, dies, hammers and impact-loaded hand tools.1,650 MPa yield · 58 HRC
- Q&T 50-55 HRCTougher setting for shock tools, springs and heavy-impact punches where chipping must be avoided.1,450 MPa yield · 53 HRC
Working with W2 Hardened & Tempered
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 Hardened & Tempered — frequently asked
What is W2 Hardened & Tempered used for?
W2 Hardened & Tempered is typically used for chisels, punches and knife blanks. In short: water-hardening tool steel.
What is the yield strength of W2 Hardened & Tempered?
W2 Hardened & Tempered has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,300 MPa (334 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is W2 Hardened & Tempered 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 Hardened & Tempered 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 Hardened & Tempered?
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 Hardened & Tempered 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 Hardened & Tempered?
W2 Hardened & Tempered is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in W2 Hardened & Tempered?
Yes — W2 Hardened & Tempered is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. 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.