Steel
Steel Y45MnV
Properties, tempers, machining, finishes and uses — values shown for the HR condition.
Y45MnV is a vanadium-microalloyed high-strength free-cutting steel (GB grade) that combines resulfurized machinability with microalloy strengthening.
Reference datasheet — Y45MnV is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
What is Y45MnV?
Y45MnV is a vanadium-microalloyed high-strength free-cutting steel (GB grade) that combines resulfurized machinability with microalloy strengthening. It reaches 560 MPa yield, 860 MPa tensile, 14 % elongation and 255 HB (25 HRC) in the default condition, with service to 400 °C and a machinability score of 62, and is stocked hot-rolled, annealed, normalized, cold-drawn, induction-hardened and quenched and tempered to 25–30 or 32–38 HRC. It is used where a shaft must be tough and turned economically without a full quench. Sulfur at 0.04–0.08 % still rules out structural welding and cold heading; Y40Mn is the nearest lower-strength alternative. Y45MnV has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Y45MnV has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is Y45MnV used for?
- Crankshafts
- High-load shafts
- Automotive components
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 83% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 22/100, worse than 81% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 75% of steel grades
Y45MnV properties
Typical room-temperature values for Y45MnV-HR (standard stock condition: strength comes from v microalloying during air cooling, so parts can be machined straight from bar), compiled from standards, handbooks and producer data. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher. Other conditions have their own pages: see tempers.
Physical3
Y45MnV has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
Y45MnV has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
Y45MnV is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 44 W/m·K (25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Y45MnV conducts electricity at 8.6 % IACS, better than 66% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Y45MnV takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
Y45MnV's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability poor (22/100); formability poor (25/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Y45MnV tempers and conditions
Y45MnV is supplied in 7 conditions, each with its own property set. Open one for its full datasheet. HR is what FabDigit quotes unless the drawing says otherwise.
- HRDefaultStandard stock condition: strength comes from V microalloying during air cooling, so parts can be machined straight from bar.560 MPa yield · 25 HRC
- QT-32-38HRCHigher-strength shaft condition where load capacity outweighs machining cost and impact demands are moderate.930 MPa yield · 35 HRC
- CDChoose for close-tolerance bright bar feeding automatic lathes where straightness and surface finish matter.780 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- QT-25-30HRCGeneral-purpose tempered condition when better toughness and property uniformity than the as-rolled bar is required.720 MPa yield · 28 HRC
- NUsed to homogenise forged blanks and give a uniform ferrite–pearlite structure before finish machining.510 MPa yield · 21 HRC
- APick when maximum machinability or cold-working ability is needed before a later hardening operation.390 MPa yield · 190 HB
1 further condition is listed below with a summary only.
| Condition | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HRDefault hot rolled / forged + controlled air cooling (as-supplied non-quenched) | Standard stock condition: strength comes from V microalloying during air cooling, so parts can be machined straight from bar. | 560 | 860 | 14 | 25 HRC | — |
annealed (spheroidize/full anneal) | Pick when maximum machinability or cold-working ability is needed before a later hardening operation. | 390 | 650 | 20 | 190 HB | — |
normalized | Used to homogenise forged blanks and give a uniform ferrite–pearlite structure before finish machining. | 510 | 800 | 16 | 21 HRC | — |
cold drawn bar (from hot-rolled or annealed stock) | Choose for close-tolerance bright bar feeding automatic lathes where straightness and surface finish matter. | 780 | 950 | 8 | 30 HRC | — |
quenched and high-temperature tempered | General-purpose tempered condition when better toughness and property uniformity than the as-rolled bar is required. | 720 | 900 | 15 | 28 HRC | — |
quenched and medium-temperature tempered | Higher-strength shaft condition where load capacity outweighs machining cost and impact demands are moderate. | 930 | 1,100 | 12 | 35 HRC | — |
induction hardened surface (core as hot rolled) | Applied to journals and splines of shafts needing wear resistance and compressive surface stress on a tough core. | 560 | 860 | — | 55 HRC | — |
Working with Y45MnV
Is Y45MnV easy to machine?
Turns and drills well on automatics thanks to MnS chip breakers; use rigid setups, coated carbide at 120–200 m/min and avoid dwelling, since work-hardened skin on cold-drawn bar dulls edges.
Can Y45MnV be welded?
Not recommended for structural welds — high carbon plus 0.04–0.08 % S gives hot cracking and hard HAZ; if unavoidable preheat 250–300 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld temper.
Can Y45MnV be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge at 1150–850 °C followed by controlled air cooling to develop the non-quenched strength; cold bending or heading is poor because sulfide stringers open transverse cracks.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. Y45MnV is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Y45MnV 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.42 – 0.5 | 0.46 |
| Sisome mill practices run 0.30–0.60 for solid-solution strengthening | 0.17 – 0.37 | 0.27 |
| Mncombines with S to form machinable MnS | 1 – 1.4 | 1.2 |
| VV(C,N) precipitation strengthening on air cooling | 0.06 – 0.13 | 0.1 |
| Sintentional, free-cutting addition | 0.04 – 0.08 | 0.06 |
| P | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
What surface finishes work on Y45MnV?
Requires protective coating — phosphate + oil, zinc or Mn phosphate, black oxide, or hard chrome on journals; polishing is limited by sulfide pull-out so avoid decorative mirror finishes.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing.
Plating
- Copper Plating
- Electroless Nickel (EN)
- Gold Plating
- Hard Chrome Plating
- Silver Plating
Organic Coating
- Epoxy Coating
Black / Phosphate
- Manganese Phosphate
- Zinc Phosphate
Thermal Spray
- Plasma Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel Y45MnV in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
How much does Y45MnV cost?
Y45MnV is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 91% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Y45MnV — frequently asked
What is Y45MnV used for?
Y45MnV is typically used for crankshafts, high-load shafts and automotive components. In short: strongest grade in family; microalloyed, no quench needed; 860 MPa with 14 % elongation.
What is the yield strength of Y45MnV?
Y45MnV has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) — stronger than 73% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is Y45MnV easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Turns and drills well on automatics thanks to MnS chip breakers; use rigid setups, coated carbide at 120–200 m/min and avoid dwelling, since work-hardened skin on cold-drawn bar dulls edges.
Can Y45MnV be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (22/100). Not recommended for structural welds — high carbon plus 0.04–0.08 % S gives hot cracking and hard HAZ; if unavoidable preheat 250–300 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld temper.
What surface finishes work on Y45MnV?
Requires protective coating — phosphate + oil, zinc or Mn phosphate, black oxide, or hard chrome on journals; polishing is limited by sulfide pull-out so avoid decorative mirror finishes.
Can Y45MnV be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge at 1150–850 °C followed by controlled air cooling to develop the non-quenched strength; cold bending or heading is poor because sulfide stringers open transverse cracks.
What is the maximum service temperature of Y45MnV?
Y45MnV is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Y45MnV-HR and Y45MnV-CD?
HR is the default condition — standard stock condition: strength comes from V microalloying during air cooling, so parts can be machined straight from bar. CD: choose for close-tolerance bright bar feeding automatic lathes where straightness and surface finish matter. Yield strength is 560 MPa in HR versus 780 MPa in CD.
How much does Y45MnV cost?
Y45MnV is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 91% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- GB/T 8731 (Free-cutting structural steels) (2008)
- GB/T 15712 (Non-quenched and tempered structural steels) — SAC (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16: Machining (free-machining steel ratings) — ASM International (1989)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.