Steel 50CrV4 · heat-treated state
Steel 50CrV4 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other 50CrV4 tempers.
Choose the oil quenched and tempered 1000–1300 MPa class (≈40 HRC) for torsion bars, drive shafts, high-strength tools and medium-section spring parts needing balanced strength and toughness.
What is 50CrV4 Q&T?
50CrV4 Q&T is 50CrV4 heat treated to Q&T — choose the oil quenched and tempered 1000–1300 MPa class (≈40 HRC) for torsion bars, drive shafts, high-strength tools and medium-section spring parts needing balanced strength and toughness. 50CrV4 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 50CrV4 Q&T has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,050 MPa (152 ksi), better than 93% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 12/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
50CrV4 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for 50CrV4 Q&T — 17 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 50CrV4 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
50CrV4 Q&T has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical14
50CrV4 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
50CrV4 Q&T is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
50CrV4 Q&T conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 50CrV4 Q&T takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 55% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability6
50CrV4 Q&T's machinability is fair (38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 50CrV4 tempers and conditions
50CrV4 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 50CrV4 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultPick the soft (spheroidize) annealed bar or strip at =248 HB as standard stock when parts must be machined or cold formed before quench hardening; strength is at its minimum.460 MPa yield · 225 HB
- Hardened & TemperedUse the ~45–50 HRC (1500–1800 MPa) spring temper as the final service state for leaf and coil springs, retaining rings and hand tools; elastic limit is highest, toughness and formability lowest.1,450 MPa yield · 48 HRC
- Q&TChoose the oil quenched and tempered 1000–1300 MPa class (≈40 HRC) for torsion bars, drive shafts, high-strength tools and medium-section spring parts needing balanced strength and toughness.1,050 MPa yield · 40 HRC
Working with 50CrV4 Q&T
Is 50CrV4 easy to machine?
Cut annealed material (≤248 HB) with coated carbide at normal spring-steel speeds; machinability is about 60 % of 1212. Above 40 HRC switch to CBN or ceramic for hard turning, or grind, and schedule all machining before hardening.
Can 50CrV4 be welded?
Carbon equivalent is high and weldability is poor: preheat 250–350 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables, cool slowly and temper immediately below the original tempering temperature. Finished springs should not be welded.
Can 50CrV4 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bend, coil and head only in the spheroidise-annealed state. Forge 1050–1150 °C with finishing temperature not below 850 °C, then slow cool or normalize; harden 830–870 °C with an oil quench and temper 400–500 °C for spring hardness or 550–650 °C for Q&T strength.
What surface finishes work on 50CrV4?
Cannot be anodised; shot peening gives a large fatigue-life gain and is normally followed by phosphate plus paint, black oxide or zinc plating. Bake high-strength plated parts at 190–220 °C to remove hydrogen, and grind off any decarburised surface layer.
50CrV4 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 10089 / EN 10083-3 (1.8159) | 0.47 – 0.55 | 0.51 |
| Si | 0 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Cr | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| Vgrain refinement + tempering resistance | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.15 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
50CrV4 Q&T — frequently asked
What is 50CrV4 Q&T used for?
50CrV4 Q&T is typically used for leaf springs, coil springs and springs. In short: chromium-vanadium spring bar.
What is the yield strength of 50CrV4 Q&T?
50CrV4 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,250 MPa (181 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 50CrV4 Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades). Cut annealed material (≤248 HB) with coated carbide at normal spring-steel speeds; machinability is about 60 % of 1212. Above 40 HRC switch to CBN or ceramic for hard turning, or grind, and schedule all machining before hardening.
Can 50CrV4 Q&T be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Carbon equivalent is high and weldability is poor: preheat 250–350 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables, cool slowly and temper immediately below the original tempering temperature. Finished springs should not be welded.
What surface finishes work on 50CrV4 Q&T?
Cannot be anodised; shot peening gives a large fatigue-life gain and is normally followed by phosphate plus paint, black oxide or zinc plating. Bake high-strength plated parts at 190–220 °C to remove hydrogen, and grind off any decarburised surface layer.
Can 50CrV4 Q&T be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bend, coil and head only in the spheroidise-annealed state. Forge 1050–1150 °C with finishing temperature not below 850 °C, then slow cool or normalize; harden 830–870 °C with an oil quench and temper 400–500 °C for spring hardness or 550–650 °C for Q&T strength.
What is the maximum service temperature of 50CrV4 Q&T?
50CrV4 Q&T is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in 50CrV4 Q&T?
Yes — 50CrV4 Q&T is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 10089 — Hot-rolled steels for quenched and tempered springs — CEN (2002)
- EN 10083-3 — Steels for quenching and tempering, alloy steels — CEN (2006)
- EN 10270-2 — Steel wire for mechanical springs, oil hardened and tempered — CEN (2011)
- GB/T 1222 — (50CrVA) — SAC (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels (AISI 6150) — ASM International (1990)
- Alloy spring steel 1.8159 / 51CrV4 data sheet — European long-products producer (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.