Steel W5
AISI/SAE W5 · UNS T72305
W5 (UNS T72305) is a chromium-bearing water-hardening carbon tool steel that gives better wear resistance than W1 while keeping the shallow-hardening, tough-core behaviour of the W group.
Reference datasheet — W5 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the ANN condition
W5 tempers and conditions
W5 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. ANN is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Supply and machining condition: spheroidize annealed to about 200 HB so it turns, mills, drills and grinds freely; quench and temper after shaping to reach working hardness. | 415 | 690 | 25 | 200 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Use as-rolled black bar as raw stock for heavy roughing allowance; anneal before machining, because the 255 HB as-rolled structure cuts poorly (machinability 42). | 500 | 850 | 15 | 25 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Choose ground drill rod when precise diameter and surface finish let you water-quench punch or reamer blanks directly, with an annealed core at 217 HB for light machining. | 520 | 760 | 15 | 17 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
Normalized | Pick as an intermediate post-forging step: 800–830 °C air cooling refines grain and removes banding, but spheroidize annealing must follow before machining. | 520 | 900 | 12 | 28 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
Hardened & tempered 370–425 °C | Choose the 370–425 °C temper for the toughest state at 50–54 HRC in hand chisels and rivet punches, accepting a clear drop in wear resistance. | 1,550 | 5 | 52 HRC | — | |
Hardened & tempered 205 °C | Pick the 205 °C temper for the usual wear-versus-toughness compromise at 61–63 HRC in punches, taps, reamers and gauges, with service limited to about 180 °C. | 1,650 | 1,900 | 1 | 62 HRC | 8.5 % IACS |
Hardened & tempered 260–315 °C | Use the 260–315 °C temper for chisels, cold-heading dies and shear blades where impact loading outweighs peak wear resistance, giving 56–59 HRC. | 1,750 | 2 | 58 HRC | — | |
Hardened & stress-relief tempered | Choose for maximum wear resistance in woodworking blades, gravers and files: water quenched and only stress-relief tempered at 150–180 °C, so 65 HRC comes with minimal toughness. | 2,000 | 0.5 | 65 HRC | 44 W/m·K |
What is W5?
W5 (UNS T72305) is a chromium-bearing water-hardening carbon tool steel that gives better wear resistance than W1 while keeping the shallow-hardening, tough-core behaviour of the W group. It is stocked as annealed, hot-rolled, cold-drawn and normalized bar and flats and is heat treated to roughly 52, 58, 62 or 64 HRC; annealed stock runs about 200 HB (93 HRB) with 415 MPa yield and 690 MPa tensile. Limits are water quenching (distortion and quench-crack risk on complex shapes), no temper resistance above about 200 °C and no corrosion resistance. For lower distortion in the same hardness range, use O1 or A2. W5 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). W5 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is W5 used for?
- metal cutting tools
- forming dies
- gauges
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
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 25%, better than 77% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
W5 properties
Typical room-temperature values for W5-ANN; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
W5 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
W5 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
W5 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
W5 conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of W5 takes about 32 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
W5's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability fair (35/100).
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. W5 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with W5
Is W5 easy to machine?
Spheroidize-annealed stock at about 200 HB turns, mills, drills and taps easily with high-speed steel tooling. After hardening, material removal is limited to grinding or EDM.
Can W5 be welded?
Weldability is poor in this high-carbon chromium steel; preheat to 250–350 °C, use a matching tool-steel or austenitic filler, and temper immediately after welding to avoid cracking.
Can W5 be formed, bent or molded?
Light cold bending and cold heading are possible in the annealed condition only. Forge from about 1050 °C down to 850 °C, then cool slowly and spheroidize anneal.
W5 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 W5 carbon grade; also supplied as 0.95-1.10 | 1.05 – 1.15 | 1.1 |
| Mn | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Crkey element for hardenability and wear resistance | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Niresidual element limit | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Curesidual element limit | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Moresidual element limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Vresidual element limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on W5?
Grinds and polishes to a mirror finish. For corrosion protection use black oxide, phosphate, oil or thin hard chrome; bake after plating to remove hydrogen.
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel W5 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- T72305
How much does W5 cost?
W5 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
W5 — frequently asked
What is W5 used for?
W5 is typically used for metal cutting tools, forming dies and gauges. In short: wear-resistant water-hardening grade; shallow-hardening, tough core; chromium-modified W1.
What is the yield strength of W5?
W5 has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is W5 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Spheroidize-annealed stock at about 200 HB turns, mills, drills and taps easily with high-speed steel tooling. After hardening, material removal is limited to grinding or EDM.
Can W5 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Weldability is poor in this high-carbon chromium steel; preheat to 250–350 °C, use a matching tool-steel or austenitic filler, and temper immediately after welding to avoid cracking.
What surface finishes work on W5?
Grinds and polishes to a mirror finish. For corrosion protection use black oxide, phosphate, oil or thin hard chrome; bake after plating to remove hydrogen.
Can W5 be formed, bent or molded?
Light cold bending and cold heading are possible in the annealed condition only. Forge from about 1050 °C down to 850 °C, then cool slowly and spheroidize anneal.
What is the maximum service temperature of W5?
W5 is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between W5-ANN and W5 HT-62?
ANN is the default condition — supply and machining condition: spheroidize annealed to about 200 HB so it turns, mills, drills and grinds freely; quench and temper after shaping to reach working hardness. HT-62: pick the 205 °C temper for the usual wear-versus-toughness compromise at 61–63 HRC in punches, taps, reamers and gauges, with service limited to about 180 °C. Yield strength is 415 MPa in ANN versus 1,650 MPa in HT-62.
How much does W5 cost?
W5 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
Sources
- ASTM A686 Standard Specification for Tool Steel, Carbon — ASTM International (2020)
- SAE J437 / J438 Tool and Die Steels — SAE International (2019)
- 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)
- UNS T72305 alloy record (Metals & Alloys in the Unified Numbering System) — SAE/ASTM (2017)
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.