W1 Tool Steel - 1.1535 - C90U - SAE W109 - JIS ~SK 90

W1 is a water hardening, cold work, carbon tool steel. The carbon content gives this steel its keen cutting edge. It can be hardened by heating and quenching.

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W1 Tool Steel Standard values

Working hardness: 55 HRC - 65 HRC
Delivery condition: max. 200HB

Chemical composition in %

0.900000

0.9

–

1.050000

1.05

0.100000

0.1

–

0.250000

0.25

0.300000

0.3

–

0.400000

0.4

0.000000

–

0.025000

0.025

0.000000

–

0.025000

0.025

0.000000

–

0.200000

0.2

0.000000

–

0.100000

0.1

0.000000

–

0.100000

0.1

0.000000

–

0.200000

0.2

W1 Tool Steel Technical Properties

W1 is a water-hardening tool steel with a moderate wear resistance that is easy to machine. Its high carbon content results in a keen cutting edge. In essence, W1 is a simple high carbon steel and can easily be hardened by heating and quenching in water.

W1 Tool Steel Applications

cutting tools, knives, razor blades, broaching tools, tools for screw cutting, embossing taps, cutlery, chisels, drawing dies, shafts, pins

Standard values

Chemical designation: Working hardness: 55 HRC - 65 HRC
Delivery condition: max. 200HB

Chemical composition:

0.900000

0.9

–

1.050000

1.05

0.100000

0.1

–

0.250000

0.25

0.300000

0.3

–

0.400000

0.4

0.000000

–

0.025000

0.025

0.000000

–

0.025000

0.025

0.000000

–

0.200000

0.2

0.000000

–

0.100000

0.1

0.000000

–

0.100000

0.1

0.000000

–

0.200000

0.2

Technical properties

Applications

cutting tools, knives, razor blades, broaching tools, tools for screw cutting, embossing taps, cutlery, chisels, drawing dies, shafts, pins

W1 General Information

W1, the most widely used in the water hardening group. It finds its uses in applications which require a softer core, high hardness and machinability. Applications this steel grade can be used for are stamping, slitting or pipes for example. Tough corrosion resistance is low, this steel grade is good for knife blades as it not only has a high hardness but, due to the high carbon content, very good edge retention as well. With the addition of chromium this steel can increase its wear resistance and hardenability. Vanadium maintains the grain size in this steel, and enhances the toughness of this steel grade.

Heat treatment

Annealing

Heat the material uniformly to a temperature of 1256-1310°F (680-710°C), then cool slowly in the furnace by 50-60°F (10-20°C) per hour to approx. 1112°F (600°C) and finish the process with cooling the parts further in air.

Stress relieving

Uniformly heat the parts to a temperature of 1112-1202°F (600-650°C) after rough machining to relieve stresses and reduce distortion during heat treatment, hold for 2 hours in a neutral atmosphere. Follow this up slowly with furnace or air cooling the parts to an ambient temperature.

Normalizing

W1 should undergo the normalizing treatment to refine grain size and to relieve residual stresses. Normalizing should be done before full annealing and after forging. Pack the work pieces in a protective atmosphere to avoid decarburization. Heat the material to a temperature of 1450-1700°F (790-925°C), hold small sections for 15 minutes and large sections for up to 1 hour at temperature then air cool after. Note: Normalizing is no low temperature annealing.

Hardening

Heat the parts slowly and uniformly to a temperature of 1400-1454°F (760-790°C). Soak for 10 minutes per inch (25.4 mm) of thickness, but a minimum of 30 minutes. Small parts can be heated in a salt bath or molten lead.

Quenching media

Water (may result in warping and cracking)
Brine

Tempering

Heat the material to a temperature of 350-650°F (177-343°C) and soak for 1 hours per inch (25.4 mm) thickness but at least 1 hour. Finish with cooling the parts in air.

Hot working

It is possible for this steel grade, W1, to be hot worked.

Cold working

W1 has very good ductility in its annealed condition and it is possible to cold work this steel grade by conventional practices.

Machinability

Forging

Heat the work pieces uniformly to a temperature range of 1500-1832°F (843-1000°C), do not forge this material below 1500°F (843°C). To finish this process slowly cool the work pieces in the furnace or heat insulating material.

Welding

W1 can be welded by all conventional methods but there is a general tendency to cracking after welding for too steels. If welding can not be avoided the correct consumables should be chosen.

Disclaimer

The data shown here has been compiled with the greatest diligence and is regularly updated with regard to the correctness and completeness of its content. The content is indicative only and should not be taken as a warranty of specific properties of the product described or a warranty of suitability for a particular purpose. All information presented is given in good faith and no liability will be accepted for actions taken by third parties in reliance on this information. ABRAMS Industries reserves the right to change or amend the information given here in full or parts without prior notice.