Silver steel (BS 1407 high-carbon bright tool steel) BS 1407
Iron-based high-carbon steel: C 0.95 to 1.25 %, Cr 0.35 to 0.45 %, Mn 0.25 to 0.45 %, Si 0.4 % maximum, P 0.045 % maximum, S 0.045 % maximum, balance Fe (BS 1407 analysis range, weight percent)
Also known as UNS T61202, EN 1.2210, DIN 115CrV3, AISI L2, JIS SKS43, BS 1407
Silver steel is a high-carbon, chromium-bearing tool steel made to British Standard BS 1407 and sold as precision ground bar.
Evidence level
2 of 5
Lab-measured
- 0Predicted only. No one has made it, or no measurement exists.
- 1Calculated. Only calculated or predicted values from sources.
- 2Lab-measured. Measured properties with their conditions stated.
- 3Space-relevant tests. Measured in conditions relevant to space, such as vacuum or atomic oxygen.
- 4Ground-qualified. Qualified for an application on the ground.
- 5Flown or field-proven. Flight or field results exist.
Recipe, share of the weight
- Fe not statedIron
- C not statedCarbon
- Cr not statedChromium
- Mn not statedManganese
- Si not statedSilicon
- P not statedPhosphorus
- S not statedSulphur
Best for
Hardened precision pins, punches, shafts and small tooling where bright ground bar and a hardness of 64 to 66 HRC after quenching are needed (1.2210 datasheet)
Weakest at
Corrosion resistance: the 1.2210 datasheet says the steel is not corrosion resistant and will rust unless protected. It also softens on tempering, from 62 HRC at 200 °C to 51 HRC at 400 °C.
Risk at a glance
- People None found. Solid steel: no hazard; dust and fume are the concern
- If it fails Moderate. Loss of hardness from over-tempering
- Corrosion Moderate. The 1.2210 datasheet says this steel is not corrosion resistant and will rust unless protected.
Quick facts: BS 1407
| Property | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.8 g/cm³ | 1 sourced value |
| Tensile strength | 700 to 850 MPa | 1 sourced value |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 207 to 285 HB | 2 sourced values across conditions |
| Thermal conductivity | 33.5 W/(m·K) | 1 sourced value |
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | 11.8 ppm/K | 1 sourced value |
What is the density of Silver steel (BS 1407)?
Silver steel (BS 1407) has a density of 7.8 g/cm³. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the thermal conductivity of Silver steel (BS 1407)?
Silver steel (BS 1407) has a thermal conductivity of 33.5 W/(m·K). The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the coefficient of thermal expansion of Silver steel (BS 1407)?
Silver steel (BS 1407) has a coefficient of thermal expansion of 11.8 ppm/K. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the tensile strength of Silver steel (BS 1407)?
Silver steel (BS 1407) has a tensile strength of 700 to 850 MPa. The source and test conditions are listed in the properties table on this page.
What is the hardness of Silver steel (BS 1407)?
Silver steel (BS 1407) has a Brinell hardness of 207 to 285 HB. The range covers 2 sourced values across the tempers, forms and test conditions the sources report; room-temperature values are used where a source states a temperature.
What are the other names and codes for Silver steel (BS 1407)?
Silver steel (BS 1407) is also written as UNS T61202, EN 1.2210, DIN 115CrV3, AISI L2, JIS SKS43, BS 1407. Each code is printed in the source listed beside it in the designations table.
What is Silver steel (BS 1407) used for?
Uses recorded in the sources include Punches, dowels, mandrels, spindles, shafts, guide pins and ejector pins; Hand tools: punches, engravers and screwdrivers; Drills, broaching tools, engraving tools, ejectors and metal saws (1.2210 equivalent).
Why it exists
Silver steel is a precision-ground, high-carbon tool steel. Its supplier sells it as bright ground bar for shafts, pins, punches and tooling, and says the high carbon content lets it be hardened for wear resistance. The bar is supplied in the annealed condition, which makes it easy to machine before hardening. It is not stainless: the 1.2210 datasheet says it rusts unless protected.
Where it's used
Precision tooling and small parts
The supplier lists punches, dowels, mandrels, spindles, drill bushes, shafts, engraving tools, knurls, collets and lathe centres as customer applications for its BS 1407 silver steel.
Hand tools and punches
Wikipedia says silver steel has been widely used to make punches, engravers and screwdrivers.
Drills, broaching and cutting tools (1.2210 equivalent)
The 1.2210 datasheet lists spiral and tap drills, broaching tools, engraving tools, ejectors and metal saws as applications for the grade.
Recipe
Iron-based high-carbon steel: C 0.95 to 1.25 %, Cr 0.35 to 0.45 %, Mn 0.25 to 0.45 %, Si 0.4 % maximum, P 0.045 % maximum, S 0.045 % maximum, balance Fe (BS 1407 analysis range, weight percent)
Silver steel to BS 1407 is an iron-based, high-carbon tool steel with chromium, manganese, and small silicon, phosphorus and sulphur contents. It is supplied spheroidised and annealed, and the bar is ground and polished to close tolerances. Wikipedia notes that the name comes from the polished look of the bar, not from any silver in the alloy.
| Ingredient | Share of the weight | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Iron Fe | not stated | The matrix. The certificate analysis is the balance to iron. |
| Carbon C | not stated | Sets the hardness reached on quenching. The supplier says the high carbon content lets the steel be hardened for considerable wear resistance. |
| Chromium Cr | not stated | Adds strength and hardenability, as the supplier states. |
| Manganese Mn | not stated | Listed in the analysis. The sources give no separate role for it. |
| Silicon Si | not stated | Listed in the analysis. The sources give no separate role for it. |
| Phosphorus P | not stated | Impurity limit set by the analysis. |
| Sulphur S | not stated | Impurity limit set by the analysis. |
Weight shares are as printed in the sources.
What it can do
Hardness
Hardens to 64 to 66 HRC after quenching, according to the 1.2210 datasheet.
Tempering
Keeps 62 HRC after tempering at 200 °C, according to the 1.2210 tempering table.
Machining
Is supplied annealed at no more than 285 HB, so it can be machined before it is hardened.
Finish
Is ground and polished to close tolerances with a bright surface, as the supplier describes.
How it compares
Silver steel is a plain high-carbon, chromium steel. Its certificate analysis range has no vanadium line, while the 1.2210 datasheet lists vanadium and higher chromium, so the 1.2210 values describe a close relative rather than the BS 1407 bar. The 1.2210 tempering table shows hardness falling steadily as the tempering temperature rises, from 62 HRC at 200 °C to 51 HRC at 400 °C.
The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details. Other materials are shown beside it; each was measured under its own conditions, so open its page before comparing closely. Compare every grade in the family.
| Measurement | BS 1407 | D2 (UNS T30402, EN 1.2379) | P20 (UNS T51620) | 1.2316 (X38CrMo16) | 1.2738 (P20+Ni) | A2 (UNS T30102, EN 1.2363) | H13 (EN 1.2344) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermal behavior and safety | |||||||
| Thermal conductivity, 1.2210 datasheet average value | 33.5 W/m.K13 | 20 W/mK | 32.5 W/m.K | 23.5 W/(m*K) | 34.5 W/m.K | no data | 25 W/(m·K) |
| Physical and electrical | |||||||
| Hardness as delivered, typical range (spheroidised and annealed) | 207 to 235 HB7 | 210 HB | 280 to 325 HB | < 325 HB | 300 HB | < 241 HB | < 229 HB |
| Maximum hardness as delivered | < 285 HB8 | 210 HB | 280 to 325 HB | < 325 HB | 300 HB | < 241 HB | < 229 HB |
| Hardness after quenching, 1.2210 datasheetRange printed in a steel-maker's datasheet | 64 to 66 HRC | 63 HRC | 30 HRC | 30 to 48 HRC | 30 to 35 HRC | no data | 45 HRC |
| Maximum working hardness, 1.2210 datasheetMaximum printed in a manufacturer datasheet | < 62 HRC | 63 HRC | 30 HRC | 30 to 48 HRC | 30 to 35 HRC | no data | 45 HRC |
| Hardness after tempering at 200 °C, 1.2210 datasheet | 62 HRC10 | 63 HRC | 30 HRC | 30 to 48 HRC | 30 to 35 HRC | no data | 45 HRC |
| Hardness after tempering at 400 °C, 1.2210 datasheet | 51 HRC11 | 63 HRC | 30 HRC | 30 to 48 HRC | 30 to 35 HRC | no data | 45 HRC |
| Density, 1.2210 datasheet average value | 7.8 g/cm³12 | 7700 kg/m3 | 7.83 g/cm³ | 7.7 g/cm³ | 7.8 g/cm³ | 7.86 g/cm³ | 7800 kg/m3 |
| Approximate quench hardness, BS 1407 silver steel | 65 to 68 Rc16 | 63 HRC | 30 HRC | 30 to 48 HRC | 30 to 35 HRC | no data | 45 HRC |
| Temperature behavior | |||||||
| Hardening temperature, 1.2210 datasheetRange printed in a steel-maker's datasheet | 780 to 820 °C | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Hardening temperature, BS 1407 silver steel (manufacturer specification) | 760 to 800 °C15 | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Stress-relief temperature, 1.2210 datasheetValue printed in a steel-maker's datasheet | 650 °C | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Other measurements | |||||||
| Carbon, BS 1407 analysis range | 0.95 to 1.25 %1 | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Chromium, BS 1407 analysis range | 0.35 to 0.45 %2 | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Manganese, BS 1407 analysis range | 0.25 to 0.45 %3 | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Silicon, BS 1407 analysis maximum | < 0.4 %4 | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Phosphorus, BS 1407 analysis maximum | < 0.045 %5 | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Sulphur, BS 1407 analysis maximum | < 0.045 %6 | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data | no data |
| Tensile strength, annealed (45/55 TPSI) | 700 to 850 N/mm29 | no data | 965 to 1030 MPa | 1100 MPa | 993 MPa | no data | 1820 MPa |
| Coefficient of linear thermal expansion, 1.2210, 20 to 100 °CValue printed in a steel-maker's datasheet | 11.8 ppm/K14 | 12.3 ppm/K | 12.6 ppm/K | 10.5 ppm/K | 11.5 ppm/K | 10.7 ppm/K | 12.6 ppm/K |
Why choose it, and why not
Good for
- Precision shafts, pins and punches that need bright ground bar. The supplier says it is ground and polished to close tolerances.
- Hardened wear parts such as punches and ejectors. The 1.2210 datasheet gives 64 to 66 HRC after quenching.
Watch out for
- Rusts unless protected. The 1.2210 datasheet says the steel is not corrosion resistant.
- Hardness falls as tempering temperature rises: 62 HRC at 200 °C and 51 HRC at 400 °C (1.2210).
- Distortion in hardening. Stress relief at about 650 °C reduces it, according to the 1.2210 datasheet.
Silver steel is a precision tool steel for small hardened parts. It is machined soft, hardened by quenching, tempered, and must be protected from rust.
Technical details
For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.
Other names and standards
The same grade under other systems, as datasheets and standards print them. Each code was checked against the page it comes from.
| System | Codes |
|---|---|
| UNS | T61202 (printed on the 1.2210 page against AISI/SAE L2) |
| EN | 1.2210 |
| DIN | 115CrV3 |
| AISI | L2 |
| JIS | SKS43 |
| BS | 1407 |
Notes
The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.
| # | Measurement | Method | Conditions | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbon, BS 1407 analysis range | Analysis range printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity | basis analysis range in weight percent, as printed on the certificatestandard BS 1407 (optional standard named on the certificate) | — |
| 2 | Chromium, BS 1407 analysis range | Analysis range printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity | basis analysis range in weight percent, as printed on the certificatestandard BS 1407 | — |
| 3 | Manganese, BS 1407 analysis range | Analysis range printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity | basis analysis range in weight percent, as printed on the certificatestandard BS 1407 | — |
| 4 | Silicon, BS 1407 analysis maximum | Analysis maximum printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity | basis analysis maximum in weight percent, as printed on the certificatestandard BS 1407 | — |
| 5 | Phosphorus, BS 1407 analysis maximum | Analysis maximum printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity | basis analysis maximum in weight percent, as printed on the certificatestandard BS 1407 | — |
| 6 | Sulphur, BS 1407 analysis maximum | Analysis maximum printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity | basis analysis maximum in weight percent, as printed on the certificatestandard BS 1407 | — |
| 7 | Hardness as delivered, typical range (spheroidised and annealed) | Typical range printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity | condition spheroidised and annealed, as deliveredbasis typical range printed on the certificate, not a guaranteed limit | — |
| 8 | Maximum hardness as delivered | Maximum printed on the manufacturer's product page | condition as delivered, measured to BS 240 as the supplier states | — |
| 9 | Tensile strength, annealed (45/55 TPSI) | Range printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity | condition annealed, as suppliedprinted in source 45/55 TPSI | — |
| 10 | Hardness after tempering at 200 °C, 1.2210 datasheet | Value in the tempering table of a manufacturer datasheet | grade 1.2210 (115CrV3)tempering temperature 200 °C | — |
| 11 | Hardness after tempering at 400 °C, 1.2210 datasheet | Value in the tempering table of a manufacturer datasheet | grade 1.2210 (115CrV3)tempering temperature 400 °C | — |
| 12 | Density, 1.2210 datasheet average value | Average value printed in a steel-maker's datasheet | grade 1.2210 (SIHARD 2210)temperature ambient, as the datasheet heading says | — |
| 13 | Thermal conductivity, 1.2210 datasheet average value | Average value printed in a steel-maker's datasheet | grade 1.2210 (SIHARD 2210)temperature ambient, as the datasheet heading says | — |
| 14 | Coefficient of linear thermal expansion, 1.2210, 20 to 100 °C | — | grade 1.2210 (SIHARD 2210)temperature range 20 to 100 °Cunit in source 10-6 oC-1 (equal to ppm/K) | — |
| 15 | Hardening temperature, BS 1407 silver steel (manufacturer specification) | Range printed on the manufacturer's technical specification (PDF without a text layer, read from the page image) | basis heat slowly, then quench into well agitated water, as printed | — |
| 16 | Approximate quench hardness, BS 1407 silver steel | Range printed on the manufacturer's technical specification (PDF without a text layer, read from the page image) | basis approximate quench hardness, as printed; the scale is printed as Rc | — |
Corrosion and compatibility
What happens when it meets other materials and environments.
| Environment | Concern | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary air and handling without protection | moderate | The 1.2210 datasheet says this steel is not corrosion resistant and will rust unless protected.1 |
| # | Environment | Details | Test conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ordinary air and handling without protection | The Ravne datasheet for SIHARD 2210 (1.2210) states: 'This is an alloy steel and it is not corrosion resistant. It will rust unless protected.' The sheet gives no corrosion rate, humidity exposure or test. | basis qualitative statement in the Corrosion Resistance section of the 1.2210 datasheetgrade 1.2210 (SIHARD 2210)rating basis rating assigned by Space Mushroom from the qualitative statement; the datasheet gives no rating |
Risks and side effects
Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.
For people
Solid steel presents no inhalation, ingestion or contact hazard according to the grouped safety data sheet for carbon, alloy and tool steels. Dust and fume from machining, grinding and welding are the concern.
- The solid bar
- The grouped safety data sheet says that carbon, alloy and tool steels in their solid state present no inhalation, ingestion or contact health hazard. It does not name silver steel.
- Dust and fume
- Dusts and fumes from burning, melting, welding, sawing, brazing, grinding and machining may be hazardous. Excessive exposure can irritate the eyes, nose and throat.
- Protection
- Use local exhaust ventilation and a NIOSH approved dust, mist or fume respirator when welding or burning this metal.
If the steel is overheated or over-tempered
These are workshop heat-treatment limits, not hazards.
- Stress relief
- Stress relieving at about 650 °C is carried out to reduce distortion during heat treatment, according to the 1.2210 datasheet.
- Over-tempering
- Tempering at 400 °C leaves the 1.2210 grade at 51 HRC, against 62 HRC after tempering at 200 °C.
Rust in storage
The sources say the steel rusts, so keep it protected in storage and in handling.
- Protection
- The 1.2210 datasheet says the steel is not corrosion resistant and will rust unless protected.
Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.
Failure risks
| Failure | Trigger and consequence |
|---|---|
| Distortion during heat treatmentlow severity | Hardening machined bar without a prior stress reliefStress relieving at about 650 °C is carried out to reduce distortion during heat treatment, according to the 1.2210 datasheet. |
| Loss of hardness from over-temperingmoderate severity | Tempering at 400 °C instead of 200 °C (1.2210 datasheet table)Hardness falls from 62 HRC after tempering at 200 °C to 51 HRC after tempering at 400 °C. |
| Rusting in storage or handlingmoderate severity | Bare steel left in damp air or handled without protectionThe 1.2210 datasheet says the steel will rust unless protected. |
Handling and storage
- Stress relieve after heavy machining: the 1.2210 datasheet gives about 650 °C, held for one to two hours, then air cooling.
- Temper after hardening. The 1.2210 tempering table gives 62 HRC at 200 °C and 51 HRC at 400 °C.
Mitigations
- Use local exhaust ventilation where grinding, welding or burning makes dust or fume, and wear a NIOSH approved dust, mist or fume respirator when welding or burning this metal.
Supply and geography
How common the raw materials are and where they come from.
Iron
- Top producers (2025)
- Australia 37.7%, Brazil 16.2%, India 11.9%, China 11.2%
- Critical mineral lists
- US: not listed
- Recycling
- Not stated in the USGS iron ore summary used for this profile.
Chromium
- Top producers (2025)
- South Africa 45.1%, Turkey 17.6%, Kazakhstan 13.7%, India 5.9%
- Critical mineral lists
- US: listed
- Recycling
- USGS: recycled chromium contained in reported stainless-steel scrap receipts accounted for a share of apparent US consumption in 2025.
- Substitutes
- USGS: chromium has no substitute in stainless steel or in superalloys; chromium-containing scrap can substitute for ferrochromium in some metallurgical uses.
Manganese
- Top producers (2025)
- South Africa 38%, Gabon 25%, Ghana 10%, Australia 8%
- Critical mineral lists
- US: listed
- Recycling
- USGS: manganese was recycled incidentally as a constituent of ferrous and nonferrous scrap.
- Substitutes
- USGS: manganese has no satisfactory substitute in its major applications.
Documents
Datasheets, safety data sheets, papers and standards you can open.
Full record
The complete spore, as stored. Free to reuse under CC-BY-4.0. Images keep the licence shown with each one.
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spore: profile
id: silver-steel
spore_version: 0.2
family: tool-steels
name: Silver steel (BS 1407 high-carbon bright tool steel)
abbreviation: BS 1407
role: precision-ground tool steel bar
category: metals
type: steels-and-stainless
summary: |
Silver steel is a high-carbon, chromium-bearing tool steel made to British Standard BS 1407 and sold as precision ground bar. The certificate of conformity sets carbon at 0.95 to 1.25 % and chromium at 0.35 to 0.45 %, and the bar as delivered is no harder than 285 HB. The European equivalent 1.2210 (115CrV3) hardens to 64 to 66 HRC by quenching, but the steel is not corrosion resistant and rusts unless protected.
best_for: Hardened precision pins, punches, shafts and small tooling where bright ground bar and a hardness of 64 to 66 HRC after quenching are needed (1.2210 datasheet)
weakest_at: 'Corrosion resistance: the 1.2210 datasheet says the steel is not corrosion resistant and will rust unless protected. It also softens on tempering, from 62 HRC at 200 °C to 51 HRC at 400 °C.'
identity:
formula: 'Iron-based high-carbon steel: C 0.95 to 1.25 %, Cr 0.35 to 0.45 %, Mn 0.25 to 0.45 %, Si 0.4 % maximum, P 0.045 % maximum, S 0.045 % maximum, balance Fe (BS 1407 analysis range, weight percent)'
source: protool-cert
where: Analysis Range % table on the certificate of conformity, and the opening paragraph that names BS 1407
designations:
- system: BS
code: '1407'
source: protool-cert
where: Opening paragraph ('British Standard Specification Number BS 1407')
- system: EN
code: '1.2210'
source: wikipedia-silver-steel
where: Composition section ('The European/Werkstoff equivalent is 1.2210 / 115CrV3')
- system: DIN
code: 115CrV3
source: wikipedia-silver-steel
where: Composition section ('The European/Werkstoff equivalent is 1.2210 / 115CrV3')
- system: AISI
code: L2
note: printed on the 1.2210 page, which headers the grade as Silver Steel
source: abrams-1-2210
where: Grade header, 'AISI/SAE L2; T61202'
- system: UNS
code: T61202
note: printed on the 1.2210 page against AISI/SAE L2
source: abrams-1-2210
where: Grade header, 'AISI/SAE L2; T61202'
- system: JIS
code: SKS43
source: terasrenki-2210
where: Material Code table, JIS column (1.2210 115CrV3 datasheet)
tags:
environments: []
stresses: []
applications:
- mechanisms
properties:
- benchmark: carbon_content
label: Carbon, BS 1407 analysis range
value: 0.95
value_high: 1.25
bound: range
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
basis: analysis range in weight percent, as printed on the certificate
standard: BS 1407 (optional standard named on the certificate)
method: Analysis range printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity
status: ground
source: protool-cert
where: Analysis Range % table (Carbon 0.95/1.25)
- benchmark: chromium_content
label: Chromium, BS 1407 analysis range
value: 0.35
value_high: 0.45
bound: range
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
basis: analysis range in weight percent, as printed on the certificate
standard: BS 1407
method: Analysis range printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity
status: ground
source: protool-cert
where: Analysis Range % table (Chromium 0.35/0.45)
- benchmark: manganese_content
label: Manganese, BS 1407 analysis range
value: 0.25
value_high: 0.45
bound: range
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
basis: analysis range in weight percent, as printed on the certificate
standard: BS 1407
method: Analysis range printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity
status: ground
source: protool-cert
where: Analysis Range % table (Manganese 0.25/0.45)
- benchmark: silicon_content
label: Silicon, BS 1407 analysis maximum
value: 0.4
bound: upper
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
basis: analysis maximum in weight percent, as printed on the certificate
standard: BS 1407
method: Analysis maximum printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity
status: ground
source: protool-cert
where: Analysis Range % table (Silicon 0.4 max)
- benchmark: phosphorus_content
label: Phosphorus, BS 1407 analysis maximum
value: 0.045
bound: upper
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
basis: analysis maximum in weight percent, as printed on the certificate
standard: BS 1407
method: Analysis maximum printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity
status: ground
source: protool-cert
where: Analysis Range % table (Phosphorus 0.045 max)
- benchmark: sulphur_content
label: Sulphur, BS 1407 analysis maximum
value: 0.045
bound: upper
unit: '%'
scope: material
conditions:
basis: analysis maximum in weight percent, as printed on the certificate
standard: BS 1407
method: Analysis maximum printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity
status: ground
source: protool-cert
where: Analysis Range % table (Sulphur 0.045 max)
- benchmark: hardness_brinell
label: Hardness as delivered, typical range (spheroidised and annealed)
value: 207
value_high: 235
bound: range
unit: HB
scope: material
conditions:
condition: spheroidised and annealed, as delivered
basis: typical range printed on the certificate, not a guaranteed limit
method: Typical range printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity
status: ground
source: protool-cert
where: Opening paragraph ('typical hardness of 207-235HB with 285HB maximum')
- benchmark: hardness_brinell
label: Maximum hardness as delivered
value: 285
bound: upper
unit: HB
scope: material
conditions:
condition: as delivered, measured to BS 240 as the supplier states
method: Maximum printed on the manufacturer's product page
status: ground
source: tas-product
where: Product description, paragraph 1 ('not more than 285HB when measured in accordance with BS240')
- benchmark: ultimate_tensile_strength
label: Tensile strength, annealed (45/55 TPSI)
value: 700
value_high: 850
bound: range
unit: N/mm2
scope: material
conditions:
condition: annealed, as supplied
printed_in_source: 45/55 TPSI
method: Range printed on a manufacturer certificate of conformity
status: ground
source: protool-cert
where: Tensile strength line ('45/55 TPSI (700/850 N/mm2)')
- benchmark: hardness_rockwell_c
label: Hardness after quenching, 1.2210 datasheet
value: 64
value_high: 66
bound: range
unit: HRC
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 1.2210 (SIHARD 2210, 115CrV3); the European equivalent that Wikipedia names. Its chromium and vanadium contents differ from the BS 1407 analysis.
quench: water or oil, as printed
method: Range printed in a steel-maker's datasheet
status: ground
source: ravne-2210
where: Hardening section ('Hardness after quenching is 64-66, 64-66 HRC')
- benchmark: hardness_rockwell_c
label: Maximum working hardness, 1.2210 datasheet
value: 62
bound: upper
unit: HRC
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 1.2210 (115CrV3); the European equivalent named by Wikipedia
method: Maximum printed in a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: abrams-1-2210
where: Physical properties ('Working hardness max. 62 HRC')
- benchmark: hardness_rockwell_c
label: Hardness after tempering at 200 °C, 1.2210 datasheet
value: 62
unit: HRC
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 1.2210 (115CrV3)
tempering_temperature: 200 °C
method: Value in the tempering table of a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: abrams-1-2210
where: Heat treatment, Tempering row, 200°C column
- benchmark: hardness_rockwell_c
label: Hardness after tempering at 400 °C, 1.2210 datasheet
value: 51
unit: HRC
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 1.2210 (115CrV3)
tempering_temperature: 400 °C
method: Value in the tempering table of a manufacturer datasheet
status: ground
source: abrams-1-2210
where: Heat treatment, Tempering row, 400°C column
- benchmark: density
label: Density, 1.2210 datasheet average value
value: 7.8
unit: g/cm3
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 1.2210 (SIHARD 2210)
temperature: ambient, as the datasheet heading says
method: Average value printed in a steel-maker's datasheet
status: ground
source: ravne-2210
where: Physical properties (average values) at ambient temperature, Density row
- benchmark: thermal_conductivity
label: Thermal conductivity, 1.2210 datasheet average value
value: 33.5
unit: W/m.K
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 1.2210 (SIHARD 2210)
temperature: ambient, as the datasheet heading says
method: Average value printed in a steel-maker's datasheet
status: ground
source: ravne-2210
where: Physical properties (average values) at ambient temperature, Thermal conductivity row (first value)
- benchmark: cte
label: Coefficient of linear thermal expansion, 1.2210, 20 to 100 °C
value: 11.8
unit: ppm/K
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 1.2210 (SIHARD 2210)
temperature_range: 20 to 100 °C
unit_in_source: 10-6 oC-1 (equal to ppm/K)
method: Value printed in a steel-maker's datasheet
status: ground
source: ravne-2210
where: Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion table, 20-100 oC column
- benchmark: hardening_temperature
label: Hardening temperature, 1.2210 datasheet
value: 780
value_high: 820
bound: range
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 1.2210 (SIHARD 2210)
quench: water or oil quench, as printed
method: Range printed in a steel-maker's datasheet
status: ground
source: ravne-2210
where: Hardening section ('Harden from a temperature of 780-820oC')
- benchmark: hardening_temperature
label: Hardening temperature, BS 1407 silver steel (manufacturer specification)
value: 760
value_high: 800
bound: range
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
basis: heat slowly, then quench into well agitated water, as printed
method: Range printed on the manufacturer's technical specification (PDF without a text layer, read from the page image)
status: ground
source: tas-spec
where: Heat Treatment, Hardening paragraph ('Heat slowly to 760-800°C')
- benchmark: hardness_rockwell_c
label: Approximate quench hardness, BS 1407 silver steel
value: 65
value_high: 68
bound: range
unit: Rc
scope: material
conditions:
basis: approximate quench hardness, as printed; the scale is printed as Rc
method: Range printed on the manufacturer's technical specification (PDF without a text layer, read from the page image)
status: ground
source: tas-spec
where: Heat Treatment, Hardening paragraph ('approximate quench hardness is 65 to 68 Rc')
- benchmark: stress_relief_temperature
label: Stress-relief temperature, 1.2210 datasheet
value: 650
unit: °C
scope: material
conditions:
grade: 1.2210 (SIHARD 2210)
hold: 1 to 2 hours, then air cooling, as printed
method: Value printed in a steel-maker's datasheet
status: ground
source: ravne-2210
where: Stress Relieving section ('approx. 650 oC, holding for 1-2 hours')
corrosion:
- environment: Ordinary air and handling without protection
headline: The 1.2210 datasheet says this steel is not corrosion resistant and will rust unless protected.
effect: 'The Ravne datasheet for SIHARD 2210 (1.2210) states: ''This is an alloy steel and it is not corrosion resistant. It will rust unless protected.'' The sheet gives no corrosion rate, humidity exposure or test.'
rating: moderate
conditions:
basis: qualitative statement in the Corrosion Resistance section of the 1.2210 datasheet
grade: 1.2210 (SIHARD 2210)
rating_basis: rating assigned by Space Mushroom from the qualitative statement; the datasheet gives no rating
source: ravne-2210
where: Corrosion Resistance section
risks:
hazards:
- text: 'Solid steel: the grouped safety data sheet for carbon, alloy and tool steels (AISI grades) states that they present no inhalation, ingestion or contact health hazard in their solid state. The sheet does not name silver steel or BS 1407.'
ghs: []
source: uwo-sds-steels
where: Section 4.2 (Overview); Section 1.1 (Product identity and alternate names)
- text: Dusts and fumes from burning, melting, welding, sawing, brazing, grinding and machining may be hazardous. Excessive exposure can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and inhaling fumes can cause metal fume fever.
ghs: []
source: uwo-sds-steels
where: Section 4.2 (Overview, acute effects)
failure_risks:
- mode: Distortion during heat treatment
trigger: Hardening machined bar without a prior stress relief
consequence: Stress relieving at about 650 °C is carried out to reduce distortion during heat treatment, according to the 1.2210 datasheet.
severity: low
source: ravne-2210
where: Stress Relieving section
- mode: Loss of hardness from over-tempering
trigger: Tempering at 400 °C instead of 200 °C (1.2210 datasheet table)
consequence: Hardness falls from 62 HRC after tempering at 200 °C to 51 HRC after tempering at 400 °C.
severity: moderate
source: abrams-1-2210
where: Heat treatment, Tempering row
- mode: Rusting in storage or handling
trigger: Bare steel left in damp air or handled without protection
consequence: The 1.2210 datasheet says the steel will rust unless protected.
severity: moderate
source: ravne-2210
where: Corrosion Resistance section
handling:
- text: 'Stress relieve after heavy machining: the 1.2210 datasheet gives about 650 °C, held for one to two hours, then air cooling.'
source: ravne-2210
where: Stress Relieving section
- text: Temper after hardening. The 1.2210 tempering table gives 62 HRC at 200 °C and 51 HRC at 400 °C.
source: abrams-1-2210
where: Heat treatment, Tempering row
mitigations:
- text: Use local exhaust ventilation where grinding, welding or burning makes dust or fume, and wear a NIOSH approved dust, mist or fume respirator when welding or burning this metal.
source: uwo-sds-steels
where: Exposure controls and personal protection (respiratory protection); precautionary statement P261
uses:
- application: mechanisms
device: Punches, dowels, mandrels, spindles, shafts, guide pins and ejector pins
example: The supplier lists punches, dowels, mandrels, spindles, drill bushes, shafts, engraving tools, knurls, collets and lathe centres as customer applications for its BS 1407 silver steel.
source: tas-product
where: Product description, paragraph 3 (Customer applications)
- application: mechanisms
device: 'Hand tools: punches, engravers and screwdrivers'
example: Wikipedia says silver steel has been widely used to make punches, engravers and screwdrivers.
source: wikipedia-silver-steel
where: Uses section
- application: mechanisms
device: Drills, broaching tools, engraving tools, ejectors and metal saws (1.2210 equivalent)
example: The 1.2210 datasheet lists spiral and tap drills, broaching tools, engraving tools, ejectors and metal saws as applications for the grade.
source: ravne-2210
where: Applications section
supply:
- subject: Iron
producers:
- country: Australia
share_percent: 37.7
year: 2025
- country: Brazil
share_percent: 16.2
year: 2025
- country: India
share_percent: 11.9
year: 2025
- country: China
share_percent: 11.2
year: 2025
critical_lists:
- list: USGS 2025 List of Critical Minerals
listed: false
recycling: Not stated in the USGS iron ore summary used for this profile.
substitutes: []
source: usgs-mcs2026-iron-ore
where: 'World Mine Production and Reserves table, usable ore, 2025e (world total 2,600,000 thousand t; shares calculated by Space Mushroom from the Australia 980,000, Brazil 420,000, India 310,000 and China 290,000 values). The table is iron ore, the feedstock of the steel''s iron, not steel itself. Critical list: USGS 2025 list page.'
- subject: Chromium
producers:
- country: South Africa
share_percent: 45.1
year: 2025
- country: Turkey
share_percent: 17.6
year: 2025
- country: Kazakhstan
share_percent: 13.7
year: 2025
- country: India
share_percent: 5.9
year: 2025
critical_lists:
- list: USGS 2025 List of Critical Minerals (listed as used in stainless steel)
listed: true
recycling: 'USGS: recycled chromium contained in reported stainless-steel scrap receipts accounted for a share of apparent US consumption in 2025.'
substitutes:
- 'USGS: chromium has no substitute in stainless steel or in superalloys; chromium-containing scrap can substitute for ferrochromium in some metallurgical uses.'
source: usgs-mcs2026-chromium
where: World Mine Production and Reserves table, 2025e (world total 51,000 thousand t, chromium content; shares calculated by Space Mushroom from the country values); Recycling; Substitutes; critical list from the USGS 2025 list page
- subject: Manganese
producers:
- country: South Africa
share_percent: 38
year: 2025
- country: Gabon
share_percent: 25
year: 2025
- country: Ghana
share_percent: 10
year: 2025
- country: Australia
share_percent: 8
year: 2025
critical_lists:
- list: USGS 2025 List of Critical Minerals (listed as used in steel production and batteries)
listed: true
recycling: 'USGS: manganese was recycled incidentally as a constituent of ferrous and nonferrous scrap.'
substitutes:
- 'USGS: manganese has no satisfactory substitute in its major applications.'
source: usgs-mcs2026-manganese
where: World Mine Production table, manganese content, 2025e (world total 20,000 thousand t; shares calculated by Space Mushroom from the country values); Recycling; Substitutes; critical list from the USGS 2025 list page
documents:
- title: T & A Precision Grinding certificate of conformity, Water Hardenable Silver Steel (BS 1407)
type: datasheet
url: https://www.protool-ltd.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/silver-steel-information-2.pdf
- title: 'T & A Precision Silver Steel: BS1407 Technical Specification (PDF without a text layer)'
type: datasheet
url: https://www.silver-steel.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BS1407-Technical-Specifications.pdf
year: 2024
- title: SIHARD 2210 Steel designation and datasheet (SIJ Metal Ravne, 1.2210)
type: datasheet
url: https://steelselector.sij.si/data/pdf/OCR1.pdf
year: 2016
- title: ABRAMS PREMIUM 1.2210 (Silver Steel) datasheet
type: datasheet
url: https://files.abrams-industries.com/steel/en_eu/1.2210.pdf
year: 2012
- title: 1.2210 115CrV3 BS 1407 Silver Steel datasheet (Terasrenki)
type: datasheet
url: http://cdna.terasrenki.com/ds/1.2210_115CrV3_BS-1407_SilverSteel_Datasheet_1.pdf
- title: 'Safety Data Sheet: Carbon, Alloy and Tool Steels AISI Grades (TW Metals, rev. 01/14/2016), copy hosted by University of Western Ontario'
type: sds
url: https://www.eng.uwo.ca/files/departments-units/student-shop/2016/sds-carbon-alloy-and-tool-steels.pdf
year: 2016
- title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Chromium'
type: report
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-chromium.pdf
year: 2026
- title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Manganese'
type: report
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-manganese.pdf
year: 2026
- title: 'USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Iron Ore'
type: report
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-iron-ore.pdf
year: 2026
gaps:
- No yield strength, elongation or fatigue strength for BS 1407 silver steel was found in the sources fetched for this profile.
- The modulus of elasticity on the 1.2210 datasheet is printed with a multiplier in its unit, so it is left out rather than converted.
- Density, thermal conductivity, expansion, hardening and tempering rows for the 1.2210 grade come from 1.2210 datasheets. No BS 1407 bar datasheet gave these values. The 1.2210 chromium and vanadium contents are higher than the BS 1407 analysis, so these rows describe the European equivalent, not the BS 1407 bar.
- The BS 1407 hardening, quench hardness and tempering rows come from a T&A specification PDF with no text layer; they were read from the page image and cannot be matched in text.
- Wikipedia gives an annealed hardness that does not agree with the certificate's Brinell range, so it is not recorded.
- The UNS code and AISI L2 come from the Abrams 1.2210 page, which headers the grade as Silver Steel. No UNS code printed for BS 1407 bar itself was found.
- No corrosion rate, humidity exposure or salt-spray test of silver steel was found. The only corrosion statement is the qualitative sentence on the 1.2210 datasheet.
- The hazard data rest on a grouped SDS for AISI carbon, alloy and tool steels, not an SDS for silver steel. No toxicology for the bar beyond that statement was found.
- No side-effect data (outgassing, vacuum or radiation behaviour) and no space-flight use were found; the uses are general precision tooling.
- Critical-mineral status for chromium and manganese comes from the USGS 2025 list page only; the European Commission critical raw materials list was not checked.
- Iron recycling is not stated in the USGS iron ore summary used here, so the recycling field is left as a statement of that fact. Carbon supply is not profiled.
- Supply shares are calculated by Space Mushroom from the USGS production tables, not printed as shares.
- No image with a verified licence was found, so the profile has no media entry.
- Packaging and surface finish (lanolin spray, surface finish) appear only in the T&A specification PDF and are not recorded.
sources:
protool-cert:
title: Certificate of Conformity, Water Hardenable Silver Steel (T & A Precision Grinding Co., BS 1407)
id: BS 1407 certificate of conformity, hosted by Protool Ltd
url: https://www.protool-ltd.co.uk/cdn/shop/files/silver-steel-information-2.pdf
kind: datasheet
license: supplier document, linked not reproduced
tas-spec:
title: 'T&A Precision Silver Steel: BS1407 Technical Specification'
id: T & A Precision Grinding Co. Ltd, Commodity Code 7228 5020
url: https://www.silver-steel.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/BS1407-Technical-Specifications.pdf
year: 2024
kind: datasheet
license: supplier document, linked not reproduced
tas-product:
title: BS1407 Silver Steel (Metric), T&A Precision Silver Steel product page
id: silver-steel.co.uk product page
url: https://www.silver-steel.co.uk/product/bs1407-silver-steel-metric/
kind: web
license: supplier web page, linked not reproduced
wikipedia-silver-steel:
title: Silver steel (Wikipedia)
id: Wikipedia article, Silver steel
url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_steel
kind: web
license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikipedia text; cited, not reproduced)
ravne-2210:
title: 'SIHARD 2210 Steel: designation by standards, chemical composition, physical properties and heat treatment (SIJ Metal Ravne)'
id: SIJ Metal Ravne datasheet, copyright 2016
url: https://steelselector.sij.si/data/pdf/OCR1.pdf
year: 2016
kind: datasheet
license: manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced
abrams-1-2210:
title: ABRAMS PREMIUM 1.2210 (Silver Steel), grade datasheet
id: ABRAMS Industries datasheet, 1.2210 (115CrV3)
url: https://files.abrams-industries.com/steel/en_eu/1.2210.pdf
year: 2012
kind: datasheet
license: manufacturer datasheet, linked not reproduced
terasrenki-2210:
title: 1.2210 115CrV3 BS 1407 Silver Steel datasheet (Terasrenki)
id: Terasrenki datasheet, 1.2210 115CrV3
url: http://cdna.terasrenki.com/ds/1.2210_115CrV3_BS-1407_SilverSteel_Datasheet_1.pdf
kind: datasheet
license: supplier datasheet, linked not reproduced
uwo-sds-steels:
title: 'Safety Data Sheet: Carbon, Alloy and Tool Steels AISI Grades (TW Metals, rev. 01/14/2016)'
id: TW Metals SDS, copy hosted by University of Western Ontario
url: https://www.eng.uwo.ca/files/departments-units/student-shop/2016/sds-carbon-alloy-and-tool-steels.pdf
year: 2016
kind: datasheet
license: supplier document, linked not reproduced
usgs-mcs2026-chromium:
title: Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Chromium
id: USGS MCS 2026, February 2026
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-chromium.pdf
year: 2026
kind: report
license: public domain (USGS)
usgs-mcs2026-manganese:
title: Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Manganese
id: USGS MCS 2026, February 2026
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-manganese.pdf
year: 2026
kind: report
license: public domain (USGS)
usgs-mcs2026-iron-ore:
title: Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Iron Ore
id: USGS MCS 2026, February 2026
url: https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-iron-ore.pdf
year: 2026
kind: report
license: public domain (USGS)
usgs-crit2025:
title: About the 2025 List of Critical Minerals (USGS)
id: Final 2025 List of Critical Minerals
url: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/mineral-resources-program/science/about-2025-list-critical-minerals
year: 2025
kind: web
license: public domain (USGS)
license: CC-BY-4.0
updated: '2026-11-01'
review:
status: draft
method: assistant
checked_values: 20
unreachable: 0
caveats: 2
note: Written by an AI assistant on 2026-11-01 from pages and PDFs fetched in that run. Values are as printed. The BS 1407 hardening and tempering rows come from a PDF without a text layer, and the 1.2210 rows describe the European equivalent.
story:
recipe:
line: Silver steel to BS 1407 is an iron-based, high-carbon tool steel with chromium, manganese, and small silicon, phosphorus and sulphur contents. It is supplied spheroidised and annealed, and the bar is ground and polished to close tolerances. Wikipedia notes that the name comes from the polished look of the bar, not from any silver in the alloy.
parts:
- name: Iron
symbol: Fe
share: balance
role: The matrix. The certificate analysis is the balance to iron.
- name: Carbon
symbol: C
share: 0.95 to 1.25 %
role: Sets the hardness reached on quenching. The supplier says the high carbon content lets the steel be hardened for considerable wear resistance.
- name: Chromium
symbol: Cr
share: 0.35 to 0.45 %
role: Adds strength and hardenability, as the supplier states.
- name: Manganese
symbol: Mn
share: 0.25 to 0.45 %
role: Listed in the analysis. The sources give no separate role for it.
- name: Silicon
symbol: Si
share: 0.4 % maximum
role: Listed in the analysis. The sources give no separate role for it.
- name: Phosphorus
symbol: P
share: 0.045 % maximum
role: Impurity limit set by the analysis.
- name: Sulphur
symbol: S
share: 0.045 % maximum
role: Impurity limit set by the analysis.
risk_groups:
- title: For people
level: 0
verdict: 'Solid steel: no hazard; dust and fume are the concern'
lead: Solid steel presents no inhalation, ingestion or contact hazard according to the grouped safety data sheet for carbon, alloy and tool steels. Dust and fume from machining, grinding and welding are the concern.
points:
- label: The solid bar
line: The grouped safety data sheet says that carbon, alloy and tool steels in their solid state present no inhalation, ingestion or contact health hazard. It does not name silver steel.
- label: Dust and fume
line: Dusts and fumes from burning, melting, welding, sawing, brazing, grinding and machining may be hazardous. Excessive exposure can irritate the eyes, nose and throat.
- label: Protection
line: Use local exhaust ventilation and a NIOSH approved dust, mist or fume respirator when welding or burning this metal.
- title: If the steel is overheated or over-tempered
lead: These are workshop heat-treatment limits, not hazards.
points:
- label: Stress relief
line: Stress relieving at about 650 °C is carried out to reduce distortion during heat treatment, according to the 1.2210 datasheet.
- label: Over-tempering
line: Tempering at 400 °C leaves the 1.2210 grade at 51 HRC, against 62 HRC after tempering at 200 °C.
- title: Rust in storage
lead: The sources say the steel rusts, so keep it protected in storage and in handling.
points:
- label: Protection
line: The 1.2210 datasheet says the steel is not corrosion resistant and will rust unless protected.
why: 'Silver steel is a precision-ground, high-carbon tool steel. Its supplier sells it as bright ground bar for shafts, pins, punches and tooling, and says the high carbon content lets it be hardened for wear resistance. The bar is supplied in the annealed condition, which makes it easy to machine before hardening. It is not stainless: the 1.2210 datasheet says it rusts unless protected.'
uses:
- where: Precision tooling and small parts
line: The supplier lists punches, dowels, mandrels, spindles, drill bushes, shafts, engraving tools, knurls, collets and lathe centres as customer applications for its BS 1407 silver steel.
- where: Hand tools and punches
line: Wikipedia says silver steel has been widely used to make punches, engravers and screwdrivers.
- where: Drills, broaching and cutting tools (1.2210 equivalent)
line: The 1.2210 datasheet lists spiral and tap drills, broaching tools, engraving tools, ejectors and metal saws as applications for the grade.
can_do:
- label: Hardness
line: Hardens to 64 to 66 HRC after quenching, according to the 1.2210 datasheet.
- label: Tempering
line: Keeps 62 HRC after tempering at 200 °C, according to the 1.2210 tempering table.
- label: Machining
line: Is supplied annealed at no more than 285 HB, so it can be machined before it is hardened.
- label: Finish
line: Is ground and polished to close tolerances with a bright surface, as the supplier describes.
compare: Silver steel is a plain high-carbon, chromium steel. Its certificate analysis range has no vanadium line, while the 1.2210 datasheet lists vanadium and higher chromium, so the 1.2210 values describe a close relative rather than the BS 1407 bar. The 1.2210 tempering table shows hardness falling steadily as the tempering temperature rises, from 62 HRC at 200 °C to 51 HRC at 400 °C.
compare_rows:
- label: Hardness as delivered
benchmark: hardness_brinell
- label: Hardness after quenching (1.2210)
benchmark: hardness_rockwell_c
- label: Density (1.2210)
benchmark: density
handling:
- Stress relieve after heavy machining at about 650 °C for one to two hours, then air cool (1.2210 datasheet).
- Temper after hardening. The 1.2210 tempering table gives 62 HRC at 200 °C and 51 HRC at 400 °C.
- Keep bare bar dry and protected, because it rusts.
- Wear dust and fume protection when grinding, welding or burning.
good_for:
- Precision shafts, pins and punches that need bright ground bar. The supplier says it is ground and polished to close tolerances.
- Hardened wear parts such as punches and ejectors. The 1.2210 datasheet gives 64 to 66 HRC after quenching.
watch_out:
- Rusts unless protected. The 1.2210 datasheet says the steel is not corrosion resistant.
- 'Hardness falls as tempering temperature rises: 62 HRC at 200 °C and 51 HRC at 400 °C (1.2210).'
- Distortion in hardening. Stress relief at about 650 °C reduces it, according to the 1.2210 datasheet.
verdict: Silver steel is a precision tool steel for small hardened parts. It is machined soft, hardened by quenching, tempered, and must be protected from rust.
References
Every number above carries a reference number. Click one to see the source and where in it the value comes from.
Updated