Machining > Tool Bits & Steels | Silver Steel Round Imperial Water Hardened | Silver Steel Round Imperial Water Hardened | Silver Steel is a high carbon content alloy that has high wear resistance and hardenability. | The chromium content adds to the strength and hardness. | It is machineable and is a popular material for a large range of applications. | Silver Steel BS1407 Chemical Composition | Analysis Range (%) | Typical Analysis (%) | C | .95/1.25 | 1.13 | Si | .40 max | .22 | Mn | .25 / .45 | .37 | P | .045 max | .014 | S | .045 max | .018 | Cr | Cr. .35 / .45 | .43 | Silver Steel BS1407 Size Range | Metric | Imperial | Diameter Range: | 2mm - 50mm | 1/16 - 2 | Diameter | Tolerance | 0.00025" | 1 - 2 | 0.0005" | + 0/-0.015mm | 25mm - 50mm | + 0/-0.025mm | The surface finish is better than 25 inch (0.6 microns) cla. | Silver Steel Hardening | Heat slowly to 760 - 800C using the upper end of the temperature range for lower carbon contents and lower end of the temperature range for higher carbon contents. | Austenitize until the temperature is uniform. Quench into well-agitated water. | The approximate quench hardness is 65 to 69 Rc. | Silver Steel Tempering | Temper immediately after hardening preferably before the tool reaches room temperature. | Temper for a minimum of 1 hour at temperatures between 180 - 350C, dependent upon the final hardness required.