Stainless Steel 8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO
Heat-treated state
GB 8Cr13MoV
QT-CRYO = hardened + sub-zero + temper
Specify when maximum hardness, dimensional stability and consistent edge stability are needed from this grade.
Values for the QT-CRYO condition
Other 8Cr13MoV tempers and conditions
8Cr13MoV is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 8Cr13MoV.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft-annealed cold-rolled strip / bar (as supplied) | Standard mill delivery condition for blanking, stamping and machining blade blanks before hardening. | 430 | 740 | 20 | 200 HB | — |
Stress relieved | Intermediate condition to remove cold-work stresses in strip or laser-cut blanks before final hardening. | 500 | 800 | 16 | 20 HRC | 3 % IACS |
Cold rolled | Pick for thin strip needing extra flatness/stiffness before hardening; harder to blank, must be stress-relieved or hardened. | 750 | 950 | 8 | 30 HRC | 3 % IACS |
hardened and tempered soft (toughness biased) | Use for machetes, choppers, scissors and tools where chipping resistance matters more than edge holding. | 1,450 | 1,750 | 4 | 54 HRC | — |
standard cutlery hardening (≈1050 °C austenitize, oil/air quench, 180–200 °C temper) | The mainstream condition for kitchen and folding knives — best balance of edge retention, toughness and easy resharpening. | 1,650 | 1,950 | 2.5 | 57 HRC | — |
high-hardness temper (wear biased) | Choose for razor/slicing edges and thin kitchen blades where edge retention outranks impact toughness. | 1,800 | 2,100 | 1.5 | 59 HRC | — |
QT-CRYOThis page Hardened + sub-zero + temper | Specify when maximum hardness, dimensional stability and consistent edge stability are needed from this grade. | 1,850 | 2,150 | 1.2 | 60 HRC | — |
What is 8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO?
8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO is 8Cr13MoV heat treated to QT-CRYO — specify when maximum hardness, dimensional stability and consistent edge stability are needed from this grade. 8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO has a yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,150 MPa (312 ksi) — stronger than 100% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 1.2% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT-CRYO is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,850 MPa (268 ksi), better than 100% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 3 % IACS, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 24.5 W/m·K (14.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1.2%, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 16 MPa·√m (14.6 ksi·√in), worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 160°C (320 °F), worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 7/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO properties
Typical room-temperature values for 8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 8Cr13MoV reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO has a density of 7.7 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 83% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO has a yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,150 MPa (312 ksi) — stronger than 100% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 1.2% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO is rated for continuous service to 160°C (320 °F). It conducts heat at 24.5 W/m·K (14.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO conducts electricity at 3 % IACS, better than 95% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (53/100), worse than 75% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO takes about 50 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 80% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability6
8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO's machinability is not recommended (7/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO
Is 8Cr13MoV easy to machine?
Machine, drill and grind in the annealed state with sharp carbide or cobalt HSS at moderate speed and generous coolant; after hardening only grinding/EDM/waterjet is practical.
Can 8Cr13MoV be welded?
Effectively non-weldable for structural joints — 0.8 % C martensite cracks; if unavoidable, preheat 250–300 °C, use 309L/410NiMo filler and temper immediately after.
Can 8Cr13MoV be formed, bent or molded?
Blank, stamp and bend only in the soft-annealed condition with generous radii (≥2 t); harden at 1030–1070 °C, quench in oil/plate/gas, temper 180–220 °C for cutlery hardness.
What surface finishes work on 8Cr13MoV?
Takes a fine satin or mirror polish after hardening; passivate or electropolish after grinding to restore the chromium film, and PVD/black-oxide coatings apply well below the temper temperature.
8Cr13MoV 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Csome mills quote 0.75–0.85 | 0.7 – 0.85 | 0.78 |
| Cr | 12.5 – 14.5 | 13.5 |
| Mo | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.18 |
| Vgrain refinement, fine carbides | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.45 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.35 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance | — |
8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO — frequently asked
What is 8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO used for?
8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO is typically used for kitchen knives, scissors, outdoor/EDC knives, tools and cutlery. In short: low-cost cutlery stainless; between 420 and 440A; hardens to 58–60 HRC.
What is the yield strength of 8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO?
8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO has a typical yield strength of 1,850 MPa (268 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,150 MPa (312 ksi) — stronger than 100% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (7/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades). Machine, drill and grind in the annealed state with sharp carbide or cobalt HSS at moderate speed and generous coolant; after hardening only grinding/EDM/waterjet is practical.
Can 8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Effectively non-weldable for structural joints — 0.8 % C martensite cracks; if unavoidable, preheat 250–300 °C, use 309L/410NiMo filler and temper immediately after.
What surface finishes work on 8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO?
Takes a fine satin or mirror polish after hardening; passivate or electropolish after grinding to restore the chromium film, and PVD/black-oxide coatings apply well below the temper temperature.
Can 8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO be formed, bent or molded?
Blank, stamp and bend only in the soft-annealed condition with generous radii (≥2 t); harden at 1030–1070 °C, quench in oil/plate/gas, temper 180–220 °C for cutlery hardness.
What is the maximum service temperature of 8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO?
8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO is rated for continuous use to about 160°C (320 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 8Cr13MoV Annealed and 8Cr13MoV QT-CRYO?
Annealed is the default condition — standard mill delivery condition for blanking, stamping and machining blade blanks before hardening. QT-CRYO: specify when maximum hardness, dimensional stability and consistent edge stability are needed from this grade. Yield strength is 430 MPa in Annealed versus 1,850 MPa in QT-CRYO.
Sources
- GB/T 1220 / GB/T 4237 — Stainless steel bars and hot-rolled strip (2016)
- 8Cr13MoV cutlery strip technical data (Chinese stainless strip mills) — Ahonest Changjiang / Sinosteel-type suppliers (2022)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (420/440 martensitic stainless) — ASM International (1990)
- ASTM A276 / A959 — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes — ASTM International (2017)
- Martensitic stainless cutlery steel comparative data (hardness/toughness compilations) — FabDigit internal compilation (2025)
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.