Huaxia Steel — Professional Water-Hardening Tool Steel Supplier
15+ years of experience | ISO 9001 & SGS Certified | Factory-direct pricing | Custom sizes available | Worldwide shipping
What is W1 TOOL STEEL?
AISI W1 is a water-hardening, plain high-carbon tool steel (1.0-1.1% C) and the most economical tool steel grade available. When water-quenched, W1 develops an extremely hard, wear-resistant surface (65-67 HRC) while retaining a tough, shock-resistant core. This shallow-hardening characteristic makes W1 unique among tool steels: it provides a “case-hardened” behavior without the need for carburizing. W1 also offers the best machinability of any tool steel in its annealed condition.
Huaxia Steel supplies premium W1 tool steel conforming to ASTM A686 standards. We offer W1 in cold-drawn and ground rounds, squares, flats, and drill rod—all carefully manufactured with controlled carbon content for consistent heat treatment response.
Need W1 TOOL STEEL for Your Project?
We offer custom sizes, competitive pricing, and fast global delivery.
Chemical Composition (wt%)
| Element | Min (%) | Max (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1.00 | 1.10 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.10 | 0.40 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.10 | 0.40 |
| Phosphorus (P) | — | 0.025 |
| Sulfur (S) | — | 0.025 |
| Chromium (Cr) | — | 0.15 |
| Tungsten (W) | — | 0.15 |
| Vanadium (V) | — | 0.10 |
Data per ASTM A681 / equivalent standards (2025/2026 Reference).
Mechanical & Physical Properties
- Hardness (Annealed): 156-202 HB
- Hardness (Water Quenched): 65-67 HRC (surface), 50-55 HRC (core in thick sections)
- Hardness (Tempered, 200°C): 64 HRC
- Hardness (Tempered, 315°C): 55 HRC
- Tensile Strength (Hardened): ~2,070 MPa (300 ksi)
- Density: 7.84 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³)
- Elastic Modulus: 210 GPa (30,500 ksi)
- Machinability (Annealed): 100% (benchmark for all tool steels)
Heat Treatment Guide
| Process | Temperature | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Annealing | 740-770°C (1365-1420°F) | Furnace cool slowly; hardness 156-202 HB |
| Normalizing | 790-815°C (1450-1500°F) | Air cool; refine grain before hardening |
| Austenitizing | 775-800°C (1425-1475°F) | Short soak (5-10 min); use neutral salt bath or controlled atmosphere |
| Quenching | Water (brine for severe sections) | Quench to ~50°C (120°F); CRITICAL: remove from water warm to prevent cracking |
| Tempering | 175-315°C (350-600°F) | Temper immediately after quenching; 175°C→64 HRC, 260°C→60 HRC, 315°C→55 HRC |
Need Custom Heat Treatment Advice?
Our engineers can recommend optimal heat treatment parameters for your specific application.
Common Applications
- Hand tools: chisels, punches, hammers
- Woodworking tools: plane blades, wood chisels, carving tools
- Cutting tools: taps, reamers, drills (short-run)
- Shear blades for light-gauge sheet metal
- Engraving tools & letter stamps
- Cold heading dies (low production volumes)
- Spring coiling mandrels
- Alignment pins & locating dowels
- Drill rod & tool bits
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard / Country | Grade Designation | Details |
|---|---|---|
| USA (AISI/SAE) | W1 | UNS T72301, ASTM A686 |
| Germany (DIN) | 1.1545 | C105W1 |
| EU (EN ISO) | C105U | EN ISO 4957 |
| Japan (JIS) | SK3 | JIS G4401 |
| China (GB) | T10 | GB/T 1298 |
| UK (BS) | BW1A / BW1B | BS 4659 |
Available Forms & Dimensions
Round bars / drill rod (dia 0.5-100mm), Square bars (6-50mm), Flat bars (thickness 1.5-40mm), Hex bars (6-50mm), Precision-ground stock available
Custom sizes: Available upon request. Contact us with your specifications for a tailored quotation.
Why Choose Huaxia Steel as Your W1 TOOL STEEL Supplier?
Factory-Direct Pricing
Eliminate middlemen. Our direct mill partnerships ensure competitive pricing on every order, from small prototype quantities to container loads.
Certified Quality
Every shipment includes full mill test certificates (MTC/EN 10204 3.1). ISO 9001 certified. Third-party SGS inspection available on request.
Custom Processing
Cut-to-size, precision sawing, surface grinding, and heat treatment services. We deliver material ready for your production line.
Fast Global Logistics
Efficient shipping to North America, Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Standard lead time 7-15 days for stock items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum hardness achievable with W1 tool steel?
The maximum hardness depends on the specific grade. After proper heat treatment, typical maximum hardness ranges from 58-67 HRC. Refer to the heat treatment table above for specific tempering curves.
Q: Can W1 tool steel be welded?
Most tool steels can be welded for repair purposes, but it requires proper preheating, low-hydrogen electrodes, and post-weld heat treatment. For high-chromium grades like D2, welding is generally not recommended for structural applications. Always consult the manufacturer’s welding guidelines.
Q: What is the difference between W1 and other tool steel grades?
Each tool steel grade is optimized for specific applications. The key differentiators are wear resistance, toughness, hot hardness, and heat treatment method (air/oil/water). Compare grades based on your specific requirements: wear resistance (D2 > A2 > O1), toughness (S7 > H13 > A2), and hot hardness (M2 > H13 > D2).
Q: How do I order W1 tool steel from Huaxia Steel?
Simply contact us via the form on this page, email, or phone. Provide the grade, dimensions (thickness x width x length or diameter x length), quantity, and any special requirements such as surface finish or heat treatment condition. Our team will respond with a tailored quotation within 12 hours.
Q: What certifications do your tool steel products carry?
All Huaxia Steel tool steel products are supplied with full Mill Test Certificates (MTC/EN 10204 3.1) showing chemical composition and mechanical properties. We are ISO 9001:2015 certified, and third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TUV) is available upon request at no extra charge for orders above 5 tons.
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Factory-direct pricing. ISO & SGS certified quality. Fast global logistics. Get your quote in 12 hours.
