Steel W5-HR (Hot rolled)
Supply condition
AISI/SAE W5 · UNS T72305
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).
Values for the HR condition
Other W5 tempers and conditions
W5 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at W5.
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 | — |
HRThis page 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-HR?
W5-HR is W5 supplied in the HR condition — 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). W5-HR has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). W5-HR 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). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HR is available on request or by drawing note.
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 — 12/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
W5-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for W5-HR; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are W5 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
W5-HR 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-HR has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
W5-HR 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-HR 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-HR 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-HR's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 73% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with W5-HR
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.
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.
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 | — |
W5-HR — frequently asked
What is W5-HR used for?
W5-HR 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-HR?
W5-HR has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is W5-HR easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 73% 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-HR be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). 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-HR?
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-HR 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-HR?
W5-HR 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.