Steel 15CDV6
EN 15CDV6 · AMS 6432
15CDV6 (1.7734) is a low-alloy Cr-Mo-V steel in which the vanadium addition gives a fine grain size and improved toughness, specified through French AFNOR and British aerospace standards and close in chemistry to 4130.
Values for the HR condition
15CDV6 tempers and conditions
15CDV6 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
soft/subcritical annealed for machining and forming | Choose for deep machining, cold bending or straightening before final quench-and-temper. | 520 | 720 | 20 | 210 HB | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Cheapest mill supply for parts that will be fully heat treated after rough machining. | 650 | 900 | 15 | 25 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
austenitized ~940 °C, air cooled | Uniform fine-grained condition for thin tube and plate where full Q&T strength is not required. | 690 | 900 | 15 | 26 HRC | — |
Cold rolled | Thin sheet and strip with tight thickness tolerance and bright surface; limited bendability until annealed. | 800 | 950 | 9 | 30 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
Normalized and tempered | Stress-relieved normalized condition for welded assemblies needing a balance of strength and toughness. | 800 | 950 | 14 | 29 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Best dimensional accuracy and surface for tube and shafting; slight strength gain, reduced ductility. | 830 | 960 | 10 | 30 HRC | — |
Quenched and tempered | Standard aerospace/motorsport supply condition: ~1000–1100 MPa with high toughness and good weldability. | 900 | 1,050 | 13 | 33 HRC | — |
Q&T high strength | Pick when maximum strength-to-weight is needed and post-weld heat treatment can be applied; toughness and machinability drop. | 1,030 | 1,180 | 10 | 38 HRC | — |
What is 15CDV6?
15CDV6 (1.7734) is a low-alloy Cr-Mo-V steel in which the vanadium addition gives a fine grain size and improved toughness, specified through French AFNOR and British aerospace standards and close in chemistry to 4130. Engineers use it for high strength combined with good weldability — thin sections under 3 mm are routinely used as-welded — with 650 MPa yield, 900 MPa tensile, 15 % elongation and 260 HB (25 HRC) in the default condition; common forms are seamless tube, bar, plate and sheet. It has no corrosion resistance of its own, cold formability is limited, and cost and availability are less favorable than 4130, the nearest substitute where as-welded strength is less critical. 15CDV6 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,490°C (2,714 °F). 15CDV6 has a yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 79% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is 15CDV6 used for?
- Aircraft tubing
- Hydraulic cylinders
- Shafts
Advantages
- High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 86% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 81% of steel grades
- High strength — 650 MPa (94.3 ksi), better than 79% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 76% of steel grades
15CDV6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 15CDV6-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
15CDV6 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,490°C (2,714 °F).
Mechanical16
15CDV6 has a yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 79% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
15CDV6 is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 42 W/m·K (24.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 56% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
15CDV6 conducts electricity at 7.5 % IACS, worse than 67% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 15CDV6 takes about 33 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 76% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability6
15CDV6's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability fair (40/100).
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 steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 15CDV6 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 15CDV6
Is 15CDV6 easy to machine?
Machine in annealed/normalized state where possible; at 320 HB use rigid setups, coated carbide, ~80–130 m/min and generous coolant — expect ~45% of 1212 rates.
Can 15CDV6 be welded?
Excellent TIG/MIG weldability with matching or ER80S-D2/ER90S-B3 filler; thin sections (<3 mm) are routinely used as-welded, thicker or highly loaded joints benefit from 600–650 °C stress relief.
Can 15CDV6 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bend only in annealed condition with generous radii; hot form 900–1100 °C then re-normalize or Q&T — avoid cold work on Q&T material.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 15CDV6. Every 15CDV6 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better50 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better75 / 100 |
15CDV6 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 → good weldability | 0.12 – 0.18 | 0.15 |
| Si | 0.1 – 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.1 | 0.95 |
| Cr | 1.25 – 1.5 | 1.35 |
| Mo | 0.8 – 1 | 0.9 |
| Vcarbide grain refinement / temper resistance | 0.2 – 0.3 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 15CDV6?
No corrosion resistance of its own: phosphate+oil, epoxy primer/paint, Zn-Ni or Cd plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement above ~1000 MPa); polishes well for crack inspection.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on 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
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 15CDV6 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- AMS
- 6432
- Similar grades
- 1.77344130
How much does 15CDV6 cost?
15CDV6 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 62% 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.
15CDV6 — frequently asked
What is 15CDV6 used for?
15CDV6 is typically used for aircraft tubing, hydraulic cylinders and shafts. In short: aerospace high-strength bar.
What is the yield strength of 15CDV6?
15CDV6 has a typical yield strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 79% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 15CDV6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades). Machine in annealed/normalized state where possible; at 320 HB use rigid setups, coated carbide, ~80–130 m/min and generous coolant — expect ~45% of 1212 rates.
Can 15CDV6 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Excellent TIG/MIG weldability with matching or ER80S-D2/ER90S-B3 filler; thin sections (<3 mm) are routinely used as-welded, thicker or highly loaded joints benefit from 600–650 °C stress relief.
What surface finishes work on 15CDV6?
No corrosion resistance of its own: phosphate+oil, epoxy primer/paint, Zn-Ni or Cd plating (bake to avoid hydrogen embrittlement above ~1000 MPa); polishes well for crack inspection.
Can 15CDV6 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bend only in annealed condition with generous radii; hot form 900–1100 °C then re-normalize or Q&T — avoid cold work on Q&T material.
What is the maximum service temperature of 15CDV6?
15CDV6 is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 15CDV6-HR and 15CDV6-CD?
HR is the default condition — cheapest mill supply for parts that will be fully heat treated after rough machining. CD: best dimensional accuracy and surface for tube and shafting; slight strength gain, reduced ductility. Yield strength is 650 MPa in HR versus 830 MPa in CD.
How much does 15CDV6 cost?
15CDV6 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 62% 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 15CDV6?
Yes — 15CDV6 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- AMS 6432 — Steel, Bars, Rods, Tubing 0.15C-1.25Cr-1.0Mo-0.25V (weldable) — SAE International (2019)
- AFNOR NF A 35-xxx / 15CDV6 alloy steel designation — AFNOR (2007)
- DIN EN 10269 / Werkstoff 1.7734 (15CrMoV5-10 group) — DIN/CEN (2013)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- 15CDV6 aerospace tube and bar datasheet (Cr-Mo-V weldable high-strength steel) — European specialty steel/tube producer (2022)
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.