Steel 15CDV6 · supply condition · default condition
Steel 15CDV6-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other 15CDV6 tempers.
Cheapest mill supply for parts that will be fully heat treated after rough machining.
What is 15CDV6-HR?
15CDV6-HR is 15CDV6 supplied in the HR condition — cheapest mill supply for parts that will be fully heat treated after rough machining. 15CDV6-HR 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). 15CDV6-HR 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).
Advantages
- High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 86% 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-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 15CDV6-HR — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 15CDV6 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
15CDV6-HR 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-HR 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-HR 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).
Electrical2
15CDV6-HR has an electrical resistivity of 2.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (15/100), better than 75% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 15CDV6-HR 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-HR'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.
Other 15CDV6 tempers and conditions
15CDV6 is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 15CDV6 overview.
- HRDefaultCheapest mill supply for parts that will be fully heat treated after rough machining.650 MPa yield · 25 HRC
- Q&T-HSPick when maximum strength-to-weight is needed and post-weld heat treatment can be applied; toughness and machinability drop.1,030 MPa yield · 38 HRC
- Q&TStandard aerospace/motorsport supply condition: ~1000–1100 MPa with high toughness and good weldability.900 MPa yield · 33 HRC
- CDBest dimensional accuracy and surface for tube and shafting; slight strength gain, reduced ductility.830 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- CRThin sheet and strip with tight thickness tolerance and bright surface; limited bendability until annealed.800 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- N+TStress-relieved normalized condition for welded assemblies needing a balance of strength and toughness.800 MPa yield · 29 HRC
- NormalizedUniform fine-grained condition for thin tube and plate where full Q&T strength is not required.690 MPa yield · 26 HRC
- AnnealedChoose for deep machining, cold bending or straightening before final quench-and-temper.520 MPa yield · 210 HB
Working with 15CDV6-HR
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.
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.
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 | — |
15CDV6-HR — frequently asked
What is 15CDV6-HR used for?
15CDV6-HR is typically used for aircraft tubing, hydraulic cylinders and shafts. In short: aerospace high-strength bar.
What is the yield strength of 15CDV6-HR?
15CDV6-HR 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-HR 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-HR 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-HR?
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-HR 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-HR?
15CDV6-HR 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 15CDV6-HR?
Yes — 15CDV6-HR is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.