In the steel processing industry, tira de acero recocido y apagado & templado (Q&t) tira de acero are two of the most essential material grades. Although they are produced from similar high-carbon or alloy steels, the manufacturing process, mechanical properties, and application fields are completely different. Understanding these differences helps manufacturers, sourcing managers, and end users select the right material for their tools, muelles, cuchillas, and industrial components.
En este artículo, we compare annealed steel strip and quenched & tempered steel strip from proceso, dureza, fortaleza, y aplicaciones, helping you make the correct decision for your production needs.
1. What Is Annealed Steel Strip?
Fleje de acero recocido is steel that has undergone a softening heat treatment—known as recocido—to improve its ductility, workability, and uniformity. During annealing, the steel is heated to a controlled temperature and then slowly cooled, restructuring the metal’s internal grain for improved plasticity.
Key Features of Annealed Steel Strip
- Soft hardness (typically 150–220 HV depending on grade)
- Excellent formability for stamping, puñetazos, flexión, y dibujo profundo
- Good surface quality and uniform mechanical properties
- Easy to do secondary heat treatment (such as quenching and tempering later)
Common Applications
Annealed steel strip is widely used in industries requiring intensive shaping before hardening:
- Ballestas (after secondary heat treatment)
- Hardware parts
- Shoe materials
- Componentes automotrices
- Saw blade bodies
- Knife blanks
- Electronic components
For manufacturers who need to cortar, form, or machine the steel strip first, annealed steel is the most practical option.
2. What Is Quenched & Tira de acero templado?
Apagado & tira de acero templado is steel that has undergone two essential heat treatments:
- Temple – heating to high temperature and rapidly cooling to achieve high hardness
- Templado – reheating at a lower temperature to adjust toughness and reduce brittleness
This results in a material that is very hard, fuerte, and wear-resistant, perfect for cutting tools, piezas de automóviles, cuchillas de sierra, and high-performance springs.
Key Features of Q&T Steel Strip
- High hardness (often 40–52 HRC depending on steel grade)
- Alta resistencia a la tracción and excellent fatigue resistance
- Superior wear resistance for demanding environments
- Ready-for-use: no need for secondary heat treatment
Common Applications
Apagado & tempered strip is ideal for final-performance components:
- Band Saw Blades
- Hacksaw and reciprocating saw blades
- Cuchillos industriales
- Scraper blades
- Springs with high performance requirements
- Automotive clutch plates and shims
- Cutting tools
Manufacturers choose Q&T steel when they need finished, hardened material ready to be processed into tools or components.
3. Key Differences at a Glance
| Categoría | Tira de acero recocido | Apagado & Tira de acero templado |
|---|---|---|
| Dureza | Low (Suave) | Alto (Duro) |
| Resistencia a la tracción | Medium | Very High |
| Workability | Excelente (easy to bend/form) | Poor (brittle before machining) |
| Can I shape or punch it? | Sí | Very difficult |
| Tratamiento térmico | Fully annealed | Apagado + templado |
| Best For | Manufacturing processes before hardening | Finished tools and high-strength parts |
If you need to shape first, harden later, choose recocido.
If you need performance and strength immediately, choose Q&t.
4. Which One Should You Choose?
Your selection depends on your production workflow:
✔ Choose Tira de acero recocido if:
- You need soft steel for bending, puñetazos, soldadura, estampado
- Your final product requires heat treatment after forming
- You produce springs, hardware parts, or stamped components
✔ Choose Apagado & Tira de acero templado if:
- You need high hardness and strength directly from the supplier
- You manufacture blades, saws, or cutting tools
- You want consistent performance and do not plan additional heat treatment
5. Jiaxiao MTC – Your Reliable Supplier for Both Annealed and Q&T Steel Strip
En MTC de Jiaxiao (Cgoodsteel), we supply a full range of high-carbon steel, aleación de acero, and stainless steel strips in both recocido y apagado & templado conditions.
Our materials serve:
- Ballestas
- Band Saw Blades
- Knives and cutting tools
- Automotive precision parts
- Woodworking and construction tools
If you need professional advice on selecting the correct steel strip type, our technical team will assist you based on hardness, resistencia a la tracción, and application requirements.
