Steel 27NiCrMoV15-6
EN 27NiCrMoV15-6
27NiCrMoV15-6 (1.6957) is a high-hardenability Ni-Cr-Mo-V steel from the EN 10083/10250 forging family, supplied quenched and tempered in classes from +QT900 to 38-42 HRC and optionally nitrided.
Reference datasheet — 27NiCrMoV15-6 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the +QT condition
27NiCrMoV15-6 tempers and conditions
27NiCrMoV15-6 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. +QT is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Choose for rough machining of large forgings before final quench and temper. | 520 | 790 | 20 | 21 HRC | — |
Normalized and tempered | Used for very large or complex forgings where liquid quenching is impractical; slightly lower strength and toughness than +QT. | 720 | 900 | 16 | 27 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Normalized | Intermediate grain-refining step; because of the high hardenability this steel air-hardens to a hard bainitic/martensitic structure, so it is rarely a final supply condition. | 750 | 1,000 | 14 | 31 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered, 900 MPa tensile class | Softer temper for very thick forgings or when maximum toughness / low-temperature impact energy is required. | 800 | 950 | 17 | 30 HRC | — |
hardness-controlled temper | Ordered when the customer specifies a hardness band for shaft/gear machining and fatigue life rather than a tensile class. | 910 | 1,060 | 15 | 34 HRC | 7 % IACS |
+QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard supply condition for shafts, rotors and heavy-section forgings needing high strength with good toughness. | 930 | 1,080 | 15 | 35 HRC | — |
+QT + gas/plasma nitrided surface | Pick when a hard, wear- and scuffing-resistant case with high fatigue strength is needed on a tough Q&T core (barrels, spindles, rotor journals). | 930 | 1,080 | 14 | 62 HRC | 7 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered, 1100–1300 MPa tensile class | High-strength temper for moderate sections (gun tubes, highly loaded shafts) where toughness can be traded for strength. | 1,050 | 1,200 | 12 | 39 HRC | — |
high-hardness temper | For wear-loaded and highly stressed parts machined with carbide tooling; toughness margin is reduced. | 1,090 | 1,250 | 11 | 40 HRC | 7 % IACS |
What is 27NiCrMoV15-6?
27NiCrMoV15-6 (1.6957) is a high-hardenability Ni-Cr-Mo-V steel from the EN 10083/10250 forging family, supplied quenched and tempered in classes from +QT900 to 38-42 HRC and optionally nitrided. In the default condition it gives about 930 MPa yield, 1080 MPa tensile, 15 % elongation and 330 HB (35 HRC) with service to roughly 400 °C, which suits heavy-section turbine rotors and shafts where strength and toughness must be uniform through thickness. Weldability is very low (score 25) and machinability limited (38), so welding on finished rotors is generally avoided; 28NiCrMoV8-5 is the softer alternative when machining cost dominates. 27NiCrMoV15-6 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). 27NiCrMoV15-6 has a yield strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,080 MPa (157 ksi) — stronger than 90% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 27NiCrMoV15-6 used for?
- Turbine rotors and shafts
- Heavy machinery forgings
- Generator shaft forgings
- Large gearbox input shafts
- Nitrided shaft journals and seal areas
- Highly stressed coupling forgings
Advantages
- High strength — 930 MPa (135 ksi), better than 90% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 115 MPa·√m (104.7 ksi·√in), better than 77% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 18/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
27NiCrMoV15-6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 27NiCrMoV15-6-+QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
27NiCrMoV15-6 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
27NiCrMoV15-6 has a yield strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,080 MPa (157 ksi) — stronger than 90% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
27NiCrMoV15-6 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
27NiCrMoV15-6 conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 74% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (13/100), better than 66% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 27NiCrMoV15-6 takes about 31 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
27NiCrMoV15-6's machinability is fair (38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (18/100).
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. 27NiCrMoV15-6 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 27NiCrMoV15-6
Is 27NiCrMoV15-6 easy to machine?
Rough machine in +A condition; in Q&T (300–370 HB) use rigid setups, coated carbide, ~80–120 m/min with positive-rake inserts and flood coolant.
Can 27NiCrMoV15-6 be welded?
High carbon equivalent — preheat 200–300 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, interpass control and immediate PWHT/temper below the tempering temperature; welding of finished rotors is generally avoided.
Can 27NiCrMoV15-6 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1180 °C, finish above 900 °C, slow cool or immediate anneal to avoid flaking; cold forming is not practical.
27NiCrMoV15-6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.24 – 0.3 | 0.27 |
| Si | ≤ 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Mn | 0.2 – 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Pmax; low P/S for heavy forgings | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Cr | 1.2 – 1.6 | 1.4 |
| Mo | 0.4 – 0.6 | 0.5 |
| Ni | 3.5 – 4 | 3.75 |
| V | 0.05 – 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 27NiCrMoV15-6?
No natural corrosion resistance: use phosphate + oil, black oxide, zinc-nickel, hard chrome or nitriding; the clean forging structure polishes well for shaft journals and seal areas.
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 27NiCrMoV15-6 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.6957
How much does 27NiCrMoV15-6 cost?
27NiCrMoV15-6 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
27NiCrMoV15-6 — frequently asked
What is 27NiCrMoV15-6 used for?
27NiCrMoV15-6 is typically used for turbine rotors and shafts, heavy machinery forgings, generator shaft forgings, large gearbox input shafts, nitrided shaft journals and seal areas and highly stressed coupling forgings. In short: heavy-section high-toughness forging; multiple QT strength classes; very limited weldability.
What is the yield strength of 27NiCrMoV15-6?
27NiCrMoV15-6 has a typical yield strength of 930 MPa (135 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,080 MPa (157 ksi) — stronger than 90% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 27NiCrMoV15-6 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades). Rough machine in +A condition; in Q&T (300–370 HB) use rigid setups, coated carbide, ~80–120 m/min with positive-rake inserts and flood coolant.
Can 27NiCrMoV15-6 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). High carbon equivalent — preheat 200–300 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, interpass control and immediate PWHT/temper below the tempering temperature; welding of finished rotors is generally avoided.
What surface finishes work on 27NiCrMoV15-6?
No natural corrosion resistance: use phosphate + oil, black oxide, zinc-nickel, hard chrome or nitriding; the clean forging structure polishes well for shaft journals and seal areas.
Can 27NiCrMoV15-6 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1180 °C, finish above 900 °C, slow cool or immediate anneal to avoid flaking; cold forming is not practical.
What is the maximum service temperature of 27NiCrMoV15-6?
27NiCrMoV15-6 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.
How much does 27NiCrMoV15-6 cost?
27NiCrMoV15-6 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
Sources
- EN 10250-3 Open die steel forgings — Alloy special steels — CEN (1999)
- EN 10027-1/-2 Designation systems for steels (1.6957) — CEN (2016)
- 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)
- Heavy forging alloy steel Ni-Cr-Mo-V datasheets (Saarschmiede / Böhler / Buderus grade sheets) — various producers (2022)
- GB/T 3077 ( 30CrNi4MoV ) — SAC (2015)
- SMM / Mysteel (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.