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W1 STANDARD VALUES
C
Si
Mn
P
S
Cr
Mo
V
W
C90U
55 HRC - 65 HRC
max. 200HB
100MnCrW4
57-62 HRC
max. 229 HB
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W1 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Tool steel W1 is a water hardening, cold work and carbon tool steel. The carbon content gives this steel grade its keen cutting edgeand it can be hardened by heating and quenching.
W1, is the most widely used in the water hardening group. It finds its uses in applications which require a softer core, high hardness, and machinability. Though corrosion resistance is low, this steel grade is good for knife blades as it not only has a high hardness, due to the high carbon content, but 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.
As a high carbon tool steel the W1 does not have the significant amount of chromium needed to make it a stainless steel. A stainless steel grade has a chromium content of 10.5%, the W1 has a chromium content in the range of 0.0 - 0.2% and is therefore not a stainless steel. W1 can rust if exposed to moisture and corrosive environments. To protect the W1 a protective coating or surface treatment should be considered or it should be considered to use stainless steel instead.
W1 does not have a standalone corrosion resistance and the high carbon content can make steel more susceptible to certain types of corrosion.
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W1 TECHNICAL PROPERTIES
The W1 tool steel can be used as a knife steel. With its high carbon content it achieves a high hardness which is ideal for the edge retention in a knife blade. It is easy to sharpen to a very fine edge due to a fine grain structure.
However, as theW1 is not a stainless steel, if not maintained properly it can rust easily in humid and salty environments. Regular maintenance and oiling the blade can prevent this from happening.
Typically the density of W1 tool steel is 0.282 lb/in3 (7.8g/cm3) at room temperature.
The heat conductivity for the W1 is at 45.0 W/(m*K) (26018 BTU/(h-ft*°F)) at room temperature.
10-6m/(m • K) | At a temperature of |
---|---|
11.1 | 68 - 212°F |
12.1 | 68 - 392 °F |
12.9 | 68 - 572 °F |
13.5 | 68 - 752 °F |
13.9 | 68 - 932 °F |
The specific heat capacity of the W1 at room temperature is at 0.460J/g-°C (0.110BTU/lb-°F). This value shows how much heat is needed to heat 1lb of material by 1 Fahrenheit.
Value | At a temperature of |
---|---|
3.0 x 10-10 (Ohm*mm²)/m | 68 °F |
The stress and strain modulus or modulus of elasticity (Young’s modulus) for tool steel W1 is at 29732 KSI (205 GPa).
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PERFECT MATERIAL SELECTION WITH THE ABRAMS STEEL GUIDE®: STEEL-GUIDE:US
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W1 PROCEDURE
Note: Normalizing is no low temperature annealing. The difference between annealing and normalizing is the way this material grade is cooled. After the annealing process the W1 is cooled slowly, that way it ensures a maximum softness, while after normalizing the steel is cooled down in air to give it properties like strength, ductility and toughness.
After the hardening process the W1 is rapidly cooled. Rapid cooling in water ensures the transformation of austenite to martensite, hardening the W1. After quenching the material is hard but also brittle and to relieve the material from this brittleness and also achieve a balance between hardness and toughness it has to be tempered as shown below.
- Water (may result in warping and cracking)
- Brine
Heat the material to a temperature of 350-650°F (177-343°C) and soak for 1 hour per inch (25.4 mm) thickness but at least 1 hour. Finish with cooling the parts in air. This process will leave the W1 with reduced brittleness and improved toughness.
Heat the material to a temperature of 350-650°F (177-343°C) and soak for 1 hour per inch (25.4 mm) thickness but at least 1 hour. Finish with cooling the parts in air. This process will leave the W1 with reduced brittleness and improved toughness.
Sub-zero treatment of the W1 is primarily done to transform remaining austenite, after quenching, to martensite, making the W1 harder and more stable.Remaining austenite can affect the dimensional stability, wear resistance and the overall performance of the W1 parts.
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W1 SURFACE TREATMENT
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W1 PROCESSING
The machinability of the W1 tool steel actually depends on the condition in which it is being machined. In its annealed condition it is easy to machine, however in its hardened condition the machinability does decrease and tooling and methods should be taken in consideration.
W1 can be machined by EDM in its annealed and hardened condition. As for other steels EDM will achieve a smooth and precise finish but will also create a heat affected zone which has to be taken in consideration for further processes.
W1 can be welded by all conventional methods but there is a general tendency of cracking, brittleness and distortion after welding if this grade is not handled correctly. If welding cannot be avoided the correct consumables should be chosen. The weld parts should be cooled slowly to avoid added stress or rapid phase changes as they could lead to cracking.
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W1 APPLICATION OPTIONS
W1 can be used for are stamping, slitting or pipes for example. It is used for cutting tools like chisels, punches or knives or wood working tools like carving tools or planes as it is suitable for tools needing a sharp edge. It is used for tools like hand tools where shock resistance is not a necessity in comparison to what other tool steels can offer.As cold working tools it is used to shape materials without using heat. Due to its hardness it can be used for drills and taps and if not used too heavily, it may be used for dies and mold as well.
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W1 CONCLUSION
W1 tool steel can achieve a high hardness following a proper heat treatment, this results in a sharp edge with good edge retention. It is easy to sharpen, with its fine grain structure it has a good edge stability, can be honed to a very fine edge and consequently has a very keen edge. However, maintenance has to be considered due to the W1 not being stainless.
To recap, tool steel W1 has a good balance of qualities which makes this steel grade suitable to a variety of applications.
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W1 ALTERNATIVES
Are you looking for an alternative steel grade?
WE HAVE THE SOLUTION!
With the ABRAMS STEEL GUIDE, you can obtain an alternative or equivalent steel grade with just a few clicks.
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W1 DATASHEET
Download the technical data sheet in PDF format here.
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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.