Tool Steel W5

Aging Procedure

Not applicable to this alloy.

Annealing Procedure

Anneal at 1400 F and furnace cool at a slow rate of 40 F, or less, per hour.

Applications

W5 is used for hand operated metal cutting tools, cutlery, cold heading dies and similar low production operations.

Cold Workability

Ductility of W5 alloy is good and it readily cold works by conventional methods.

Forgeability

Forge at 1900 F down to 1550 F. Do not forge below 1500 F.

Formability

The alloy is easily formed by conventional methods.

Hardening Procedure

The alloy will harden by cold working or by heat treatment. See "Heat Treatment" and "Tempering"

Heat Treatability

Slowly preheat to 1100 F and then slowly increase temperature to 1450 F. Hold at temperature for 10 to 30 minutes and water or brine quench.

Hot Workability

W5 mat be hot worked. See "Forging" and consult the alloy supplier for hot working at lower temperatures.

Machinability

Machinability of W5 is very good, rating 100%.

Other Comments

Wear resistance is only moderate. The alloy does have high toughness. Distortion during quenching is high.

Principle Design Features

W5 is one of the water hardening tool steels. It is similar to W1 alloy but contains a small amount of chromium for improved deep hardening.

Tempering Procedure

Temper at 350 to 650 F for Rockwell C in the range of 64 to 50.

Weldability

W5 may be welded by all of the conventional methods.