Steel 15CDV6 · hardness band
Steel 15CDV6 Q&T-HS
Properties of the Q&T-HS condition, compared with the other 15CDV6 tempers.
Pick when maximum strength-to-weight is needed and post-weld heat treatment can be applied; toughness and machinability drop.
What is 15CDV6 Q&T-HS?
15CDV6 Q&T-HS is 15CDV6 heat treated to Q&T-HS — pick when maximum strength-to-weight is needed and post-weld heat treatment can be applied; toughness and machinability drop. 15CDV6 Q&T-HS has a yield strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,180 MPa (171 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi). 15CDV6 Q&T-HS 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T-HS is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,030 MPa (149 ksi), better than 93% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 83% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
15CDV6 Q&T-HS properties
Typical room-temperature values for 15CDV6 Q&T-HS — 16 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 Q&T-HS 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 Q&T-HS has a yield strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,180 MPa (171 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
15CDV6 Q&T-HS is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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 Q&T-HS 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 Q&T-HS 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 Q&T-HS's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 83% of steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability poor (20/100).
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 Q&T-HS
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 Q&T-HS — frequently asked
What is 15CDV6 Q&T-HS used for?
15CDV6 Q&T-HS is typically used for aircraft tubing, hydraulic cylinders and shafts. In short: aerospace high-strength bar.
What is the yield strength of 15CDV6 Q&T-HS?
15CDV6 Q&T-HS has a typical yield strength of 1,030 MPa (149 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,180 MPa (171 ksi) — stronger than 93% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 15CDV6 Q&T-HS easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 83% 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 Q&T-HS be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). 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 Q&T-HS?
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 Q&T-HS 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 Q&T-HS?
15CDV6 Q&T-HS 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 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 Q&T-HS?
Yes — 15CDV6 Q&T-HS 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.