Steel 13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR
Grade
EN 13MoCrNi42-16-14
VIM-VAR = vacuum induction melted + vacuum arc remelted
Melt-practice designation required by AMS 6278 for aero bearing use; buy this when rolling contact fatigue life and inclusion cleanliness are critical.
Values for the VIM-VAR condition
Other 13MoCrNi42-16-14 tempers and conditions
13MoCrNi42-16-14 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at 13MoCrNi42-16-14.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Standard as-supplied bar and forged ring condition for green machining before carburizing. | 560 | 860 | 18 | 220 HB | — |
VIM-VARThis page Vacuum induction melted + vacuum arc remelted | Melt-practice designation required by AMS 6278 for aero bearing use; buy this when rolling contact fatigue life and inclusion cleanliness are critical. | 580 | 880 | 20 | 21 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
Normalized | Intermediate condition to refine forging structure; too hard for finish machining, normally followed by annealing. | 850 | 1,150 | 13 | 35 HRC | 2.8 % IACS |
Hardened & tempered (core condition, no carburizing) 43–48 HRC | Through hardened and multiple-tempered condition representing the tough core of a finished bearing ring, or for non-carburized structural parts. | 1,200 | 1,500 | 13 | 45 HRC | — |
Carburized, hardened, deep-frozen & tempered | Final service condition for aero-engine mainshaft bearing rings and rollers: hard, temper-resistant case on a tough fracture-resistant core. | 1,200 | 1,500 | 12 | 62 HRC | — |
What is 13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR?
13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR is 13MoCrNi42-16-14 in the VIM-VAR grade — melt-practice designation required by AMS 6278 for aero bearing use; buy this when rolling contact fatigue life and inclusion cleanliness are critical. 13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR has a yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) — stronger than 75% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 201 GPa (29.2 Msi). 13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR has a density of 7.78 g/cm³ (0.281 lb/in³), lighter than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; VIM-VAR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 85/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- High strength — 580 MPa (84.1 ksi), better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 94% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, worse than 93% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 23 W/m·K (13.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 92% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 13MoCrNi42-16-14 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR has a density of 7.78 g/cm³ (0.281 lb/in³), lighter than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical15
13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR has a yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) — stronger than 75% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 201 GPa (29.2 Msi).
Thermal6
13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 23 W/m·K (13.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.3 µm/m·K (6.28 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, worse than 93% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (16/100), better than 79% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 89% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability poor (22/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR
Is 13MoCrNi42-16-14 easy to machine?
Green-machine in the spheroidize-annealed condition with sharp coated carbide and rigid setups; after carburizing and hardening only CBN/diamond grinding, hard turning and lapping are practical.
Can 13MoCrNi42-16-14 be welded?
Not a weldable structural steel — high hardenability and 4% Mo cause hard, crack-prone HAZ; any repair welding needs preheat, matching filler and a full re-heat-treat.
Can 13MoCrNi42-16-14 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–1150 °C with slow controlled cooling and immediate anneal; cold forming is impractical.
What surface finishes work on 13MoCrNi42-16-14?
Raceways are hard-turned then ground and honed to mirror finish; corrosion protection by oil film, phosphate, black oxide or thin dense chrome — no anodizing.
13MoCrNi42-16-14 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow carbon for carburizing | 0.11 – 0.15 | 0.13 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.18 |
| Mn | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | — |
| Cr | 3.75 – 4.25 | 4.1 |
| Mosecondary hardening / hot hardness | 4 – 4.5 | 4.25 |
| Nicore toughness | 3.2 – 3.6 | 3.4 |
| Vcarbide refinement | 1.1 – 1.33 | 1.2 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR — frequently asked
What is 13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR used for?
13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR is typically used for aerospace case-hardened bearings, high-temperature roller bearings and turbine and gearbox bearing rollers. In short: case-hardening bearing steel; tough core, hard case; VIM-VAR grade available.
What is the yield strength of 13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR?
13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR has a typical yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) — stronger than 75% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 89% of steel grades). Green-machine in the spheroidize-annealed condition with sharp coated carbide and rigid setups; after carburizing and hardening only CBN/diamond grinding, hard turning and lapping are practical.
Can 13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not a weldable structural steel — high hardenability and 4% Mo cause hard, crack-prone HAZ; any repair welding needs preheat, matching filler and a full re-heat-treat.
What surface finishes work on 13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR?
Raceways are hard-turned then ground and honed to mirror finish; corrosion protection by oil film, phosphate, black oxide or thin dense chrome — no anodizing.
Can 13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1050–1150 °C with slow controlled cooling and immediate anneal; cold forming is impractical.
What is the maximum service temperature of 13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR?
13MoCrNi42-16-14 VIM-VAR is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 13MoCrNi42-16-14-ANN and 13MoCrNi42-16-14 HT-CORE?
ANN is the default condition — standard as-supplied bar and forged ring condition for green machining before carburizing. HT-CORE: through hardened and multiple-tempered condition representing the tough core of a finished bearing ring, or for non-carburized structural parts. Yield strength is 560 MPa in ANN versus 1,200 MPa in HT-CORE.
Sources
- AMS 6278 — Steel Bars, Forgings and Tubing 4.1Cr-4.2Mo-3.4Ni-1.2V, Consumable Electrode Vacuum Melted — SAE International (2020)
- ISO 683-17 — Heat-treatable steels, alloy steels and free-cutting steels — Part 17: Ball and roller bearing steels — ISO (2014)
- GB/T 38885 (G13Cr4Mo4Ni4V) (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Bearing Steel Technology / Rolling contact fatigue of M50 and M50NiL — ASTM STP & NASA Lewis reports (2002)
- M50NiL aerospace bearing steel bar datasheet — specialty steel producers (e.g. Ovako, Aubert & Duval, Latrobe) (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.