Stainless Steel S30V
S30V (CPM S30V) is a powder-metallurgy, high-carbon martensitic stainless tool steel in which about 4% vanadium forms a fine dispersion of vanadium carbides, giving wear resistance well above 440C, while 14% chromium provides stainless-level corrosion resistance.
Values for the Annealed condition
S30V tempers and conditions
S30V is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault supplied soft for machining | Stock condition for blanking, milling and drilling before hardening. | 620 | 900 | 10 | 25 HRC | — |
Higher temper for improved toughness | Use for thick blades, chisels or shear/punch parts where chipping resistance matters more than ultimate wear resistance. | 1,760 | 2,000 | 2.5 | 57 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
austenitized, quenched and tempered to 58–61 HRC | Standard service condition for blades and wear parts; best overall balance of wear resistance, toughness and corrosion resistance. | 1,800 | 1,950 | 1 | 60 HRC | — |
Low-temperature temper for maximum edge retention | Pick when abrasive wear resistance and edge holding dominate and impact loading is low. | 1,950 | 2,200 | 1.5 | 61 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
H&T + cryogenic treatment | Choose for maximum dimensional stability and minimum retained austenite in precision blades and gauges. | 1,980 | 2,230 | 1.5 | 61 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
What is S30V?
S30V (CPM S30V) is a powder-metallurgy, high-carbon martensitic stainless tool steel in which about 4% vanadium forms a fine dispersion of vanadium carbides, giving wear resistance well above 440C, while 14% chromium provides stainless-level corrosion resistance. It is supplied mainly as annealed plate and blade stock for premium cutting edges, paper and plastic slitting blades, and wear- and corrosion-resistant tooling parts. Toughness is moderate, machining and grinding are difficult (CBN or diamond abrasives), the steel is effectively unweldable and it costs far more than conventional stainless. CPM 420V/S90V offers more wear resistance, 440C is the cheaper option. S30V has a density of 7.43 g/cm³ (0.268 lb/in³), lighter than 100% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). S30V has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 88% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 214 GPa (31 Msi).
What is S30V used for?
- Pocket knife blades
- Hunting knife blades
- Paper and plastic slitting blades
- Industrial cutting knives
- Wear-resistant tooling inserts
- Corrosion-resistant wear parts
- Scalpel and precision blade stock
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 620 MPa (89.9 ksi), better than 88% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.6 % IACS, better than 77% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 100% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades
S30V properties
Typical room-temperature values for S30V-Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical2
S30V has a density of 7.43 g/cm³ (0.268 lb/in³), lighter than 100% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical8
S30V has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 88% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 214 GPa (31 Msi).
Thermal5
S30V is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 74% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.6 µm/m·K (5.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S30V conducts electricity at 2.6 % IACS, better than 77% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), worse than 85% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of S30V takes about 60 MJ of energy and emits 4.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 70% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
S30V's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. S30V is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S30V
Is S30V easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and coated carbide or ceramic tools; hardened parts must be ground/EDM'd with CBN or diamond abrasives.
Can S30V be welded?
Not recommended — high carbon air-hardening chemistry cracks; if unavoidable, preheat 200–300 °C, use matching PM filler and immediately re-temper.
Can S30V be formed, bent or molded?
No practical cold forming; hot work 1050–1120 °C with slow controlled cooling and full anneal afterwards, and always through-harden rather than form after hardening.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to S30V. Every S30V part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair25 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | M.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 150 / 180 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1.5 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 4× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
S30V 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chigh carbon for vanadium/chromium carbide formation | 1.4 – 1.5 | 1.45 |
| Crprovides stainless matrix | 13.5 – 14.5 | 14 |
| Vfine MC carbides, wear resistance | 3.7 – 4.3 | 4 |
| Mohardenability and pitting resistance | 1.8 – 2.2 | 2 |
| Mntypical residual level | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Sitypical residual level | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on S30V?
Hardens to a fine-carbide structure that takes a high mirror polish; passivate or PVD/DLC coat after grinding, black oxide also works well.
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).
Plating
Organic Coating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
How much does S30V cost?
S30V is a specialty-cost stainless steel ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
S30V — frequently asked
What is S30V used for?
S30V is typically used for pocket knife blades, hunting knife blades, paper and plastic slitting blades, industrial cutting knives, wear-resistant tooling inserts and corrosion-resistant wear parts. In short: high-end knife steel.
What is the yield strength of S30V?
S30V has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 88% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is S30V easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 88% of stainless steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and coated carbide or ceramic tools; hardened parts must be ground/EDM'd with CBN or diamond abrasives.
Can S30V be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Not recommended — high carbon air-hardening chemistry cracks; if unavoidable, preheat 200–300 °C, use matching PM filler and immediately re-temper.
What surface finishes work on S30V?
Hardens to a fine-carbide structure that takes a high mirror polish; passivate or PVD/DLC coat after grinding, black oxide also works well.
Can S30V be formed, bent or molded?
No practical cold forming; hot work 1050–1120 °C with slow controlled cooling and full anneal afterwards, and always through-harden rather than form after hardening.
What is the maximum service temperature of S30V?
S30V is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does S30V cost?
S30V is a specialty-cost stainless steel ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in S30V?
Yes — S30V is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- CPM S30V Data Sheet — Crucible Industries (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Tool Materials — ASM International (1995)
- Knife-steel and tool-steel small-lot distributor pricing — US knife/tool steel distributors (2025)
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.