Stainless Steel 9Cr18MoV
GB 9Cr18MoV
9Cr18MoV is a high-carbon martensitic stainless steel of the 440B class, alloyed with molybdenum and vanadium for wear resistance and edge stability.
Reference datasheet — 9Cr18MoV 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.
Values for the A condition
9Cr18MoV tempers and conditions
9Cr18MoV is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. A is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Standard stocking condition for bar, strip and forging stock; soft enough to machine and blank before hardening. | 430 | 760 | 18 | 225 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Cold-drawn bar or cold-rolled strip for tighter tolerance and better surface before hardening; slightly harder and stronger than mill-annealed. | 650 | 900 | 10 | 27 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
Q&T 45–50 HRC | Toughness-biased condition for shafts, valve parts and pins where impact matters more than edge retention; corrosion resistance is reduced by the high temper. | 1,250 | 1,500 | 6 | 47 HRC | — |
Q&T 50–55 HRC | Balanced hardness/toughness for tooling, nozzles and heavier blades that must survive shock loads. | 1,500 | 1,750 | 4 | 53 HRC | — |
Q&T 55–58 HRC | The workhorse hardened condition for knives, scissors, surgical blades and stainless bearing rings. | 1,650 | 1,900 | 3 | 57 HRC | — |
Q&T 58–61 HRC | Maximum hardness/wear condition (sub-zero treated to remove retained austenite) for razor blades, precision bearings and gauges; very brittle. | 1,750 | 2,000 | 2 | 59 HRC | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 9Cr18MoV is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
HT-STRIP | HT strip | Supply form |
What is 9Cr18MoV?
9Cr18MoV is a high-carbon martensitic stainless steel of the 440B class, alloyed with molybdenum and vanadium for wear resistance and edge stability. It is used where high hardness and moderate corrosion resistance are both required, and is stocked annealed, cold-drawn, as heat-treated strip, or quenched and tempered to 45, 52, 57 or 60 HRC. Annealed properties are about 430 MPa yield, 760 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and 225 HB, with service to roughly 400 °C. Machinability and formability are low and corrosion resistance is below the austenitic grades; 8Cr13MoV is the easier-to-process alternative when maximum hardness is not needed. 9Cr18MoV 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). 9Cr18MoV has a yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 67% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 9Cr18MoV used for?
- high-end cutlery
- surgical instruments
- precision bearings
- valve seats
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 45 MPa·√m (41 ksi·√in), worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 38/100, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 18%, worse than 83% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), worse than 78% of stainless steel grades
9Cr18MoV properties
Typical room-temperature values for 9Cr18MoV-A; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
9Cr18MoV 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
9Cr18MoV has a yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 67% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
9Cr18MoV is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 81% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.2 µm/m·K (5.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
9Cr18MoV conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, better than 87% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (38/100), worse than 95% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 9Cr18MoV takes about 53 MJ of energy and emits 4.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 67% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
9Cr18MoV's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability poor (30/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the stainless steel family
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade FabDigit runs. 9Cr18MoV is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 9Cr18MoV
Is 9Cr18MoV easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed condition with sharp, rigid setups, low speed and generous coolant; carbide tooling and grinding are required above ~45 HRC.
Can 9Cr18MoV be welded?
Effectively unweldable for structural joints — high carbon promotes cracking; if unavoidable, preheat 250–300 °C, use 309/410NiMo filler and temper immediately after.
Can 9Cr18MoV be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form or blank only when annealed and with generous radii; hot work 1100–850 °C followed by slow cooling and a spheroidize anneal at 850–870 °C.
9Cr18MoV 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CGB/T 1220 | 0.85 – 0.95 | 0.9 |
| Si | ≤ 0.8 | 0.4 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.8 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Mo | 1 – 1.3 | 1.15 |
| Vgrain refinement, fine carbides | 0.07 – 0.12 | 0.1 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.6 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 9Cr18MoV?
Harden 1050–1075 °C, oil/air or vacuum quench (optionally sub-zero) then temper 150–200 °C; grind, polish and passivate (nitric or citric per ASTM A967) — PVD/black oxide also common, anodizing not applicable.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on stainless steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Organic Coating
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel 9Cr18MoV in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- 440B
How much does 9Cr18MoV cost?
9Cr18MoV is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
9Cr18MoV — frequently asked
What is 9Cr18MoV used for?
9Cr18MoV is typically used for high-end cutlery, surgical instruments, precision bearings and valve seats. In short: 440B-class blade steel; harder than 8Cr13MoV; wear-resistant bearing stainless.
What is the yield strength of 9Cr18MoV?
9Cr18MoV has a typical yield strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 760 MPa (110 ksi) — stronger than 67% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 9Cr18MoV easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Machine only in the annealed condition with sharp, rigid setups, low speed and generous coolant; carbide tooling and grinding are required above ~45 HRC.
Can 9Cr18MoV be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). Effectively unweldable for structural joints — high carbon promotes cracking; if unavoidable, preheat 250–300 °C, use 309/410NiMo filler and temper immediately after.
What surface finishes work on 9Cr18MoV?
Harden 1050–1075 °C, oil/air or vacuum quench (optionally sub-zero) then temper 150–200 °C; grind, polish and passivate (nitric or citric per ASTM A967) — PVD/black oxide also common, anodizing not applicable.
Can 9Cr18MoV be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form or blank only when annealed and with generous radii; hot work 1100–850 °C followed by slow cooling and a spheroidize anneal at 850–870 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 9Cr18MoV?
9Cr18MoV 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 9Cr18MoV-A and 9Cr18MoV-QT60?
A is the default condition — standard stocking condition for bar, strip and forging stock; soft enough to machine and blank before hardening. QT60: maximum hardness/wear condition (sub-zero treated to remove retained austenite) for razor blades, precision bearings and gauges; very brittle. Yield strength is 430 MPa in A versus 1,750 MPa in QT60.
How much does 9Cr18MoV cost?
9Cr18MoV is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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 1220 (2007)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (440-series martensitic stainless) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B: Corrosion — Materials — ASM International (2005)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16: Machining — ASM International (1989)
- ASTM A276 / A580 (Type 440B) — ASTM International (2017)
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.