Abstract: This paper describes the experimental details and results of an investigation on the workability and heat-treatment of 13% chromium steel and the drop forging of steam turbine blades from this material. Results from impact tests at various temperatures show that in the ascast condition 13% chromium steel has a comparatively highly plastic temperature range between 800 and 1000℃. After quenching in still air and then tempering at temperatures above 650℃ for 2 hours, this material has good mechanical properties; while after tempering at temperatures between 500 and 650℃, it has lower impact values. Dilatation tests show that the increase in the quantity of residual sustenite is the cause for the lowering in hardness, when quenching the material at 1100℃. Drop forging dies have been designed and tested for steam turbine blades from this material. Test results show that the dies designed and the procedure adopted for the test are satisfactory for the forming of this machine part, giving good arrangement of flow-lines. By using this drop forging method, it is possible to raise the pereentage of utilization of the material to 32%. The mechanical properties of the drop forged blades have also been investigated in some detail.