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Steel 27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided

Finish state

EN 27NiCrMoV15-6

+QT+Nitrided = +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).

Standard cost $$

Values for the +QT+Nitrided condition

Other 27NiCrMoV15-6 tempers and conditions

27NiCrMoV15-6 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 27NiCrMoV15-6.

Compare all 9 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Annealed
Choose for rough machining of large forgings before final quench and temper.5207902021 HRC—
Normalized and tempered
Used for very large or complex forgings where liquid quenching is impractical; slightly lower strength and toughness than +QT.7209001627 HRC7 % 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.7501,0001431 HRC7 % IACS
Quenched and tempered, 900 MPa tensile class
Softer temper for very thick forgings or when maximum toughness / low-temperature impact energy is required.8009501730 HRC—
hardness-controlled temper
Ordered when the customer specifies a hardness band for shaft/gear machining and fatigue life rather than a tensile class.9101,0601534 HRC7 % IACS
+QTDefault
Quenched and tempered
Standard supply condition for shafts, rotors and heavy-section forgings needing high strength with good toughness.9301,0801535 HRC—
+QT+NitridedThis page
+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).9301,0801462 HRC7 % 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.1,0501,2001239 HRC—
high-hardness temper
For wear-loaded and highly stressed parts machined with carbide tooling; toughness margin is reduced.1,0901,2501140 HRC7 % IACS

What is 27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided?

27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided is 27NiCrMoV15-6 supplied in the +QT+Nitrided condition — 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). 27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided 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 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). 27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided 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). +QT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; +QT+Nitrided is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 930 MPa (135 ksi), better than 90% of steel grades
  • Good corrosion resistance — 22/100, better than 90% of steel grades
  • High service temperature — 480°C (896 °F), better than 88% of steel grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Limited formability — 3/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Poor heat conductor — 34 W/m·K (19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 77% of steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 75% of steel grades

27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided properties

Typical room-temperature values for 27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 27NiCrMoV15-6 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,490°C2,714 °F

Mechanical16

27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided 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 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus165 GPa23.9 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,080 MPa157 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)930 MPa135 ksi
Elongation at Break14%
Reduction in Area50%
Compressive Strength950 MPa138 ksi
Shear Strength660 MPa95.7 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)620 MPa89.9 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)105 MPa·√m95.6 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)45 J33.2 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell330 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C62 HRC
Hardness, Vickers750 HV

Thermal6

27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided is rated for continuous service to 480°C (896 °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).

Thermal Conductivity34 W/m·K19.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity465 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)480°C896 °F
Min Service Temperature-60°C-76 °F

Electrical3

27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided conducts electricity at 7 % IACS, worse than 74% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity7 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m9.84 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), better than 90% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.62 V
Corrosion ResistancePoor22/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryNo inherent corrosion resistance: rusts in humid air, seawater and dilute acids; resists dry hydrocarbons and neutral oils. Requires oil film, phosphate, paint, plating or nitriding for service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided takes about 31 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)31 MJ/kg13,328 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.3 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (3/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended8/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)8%
WeldabilityNot recommended5/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended3/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair45/100
PolishabilityVery good70/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use nitriding, hard chrome, zinc-nickel or phosphate + oil instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
C0.24 – 0.30.27
Si≤ 0.30.2
Mn0.2 – 0.50.35
Pmax; low P/S for heavy forgings≤ 0.020.01
S≤ 0.010
Cr1.2 – 1.61.4
Mo0.4 – 0.60.5
Ni3.5 – 43.75
V0.05 – 0.150.1
Febalance—

27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided — frequently asked

What is 27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided used for?

27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided 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 +QT+Nitrided?

27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided 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 +QT+Nitrided easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% 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 +QT+Nitrided be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). 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 +QT+Nitrided?

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 +QT+Nitrided 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 +QT+Nitrided?

27NiCrMoV15-6 +QT+Nitrided is rated for continuous use to about 480°C (896 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

Sources

  1. EN 10250-3 Open die steel forgings — Alloy special steels — CEN (1999)
  2. EN 10027-1/-2 Designation systems for steels (1.6957) — CEN (2016)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
  5. Heavy forging alloy steel Ni-Cr-Mo-V datasheets (Saarschmiede / Böhler / Buderus grade sheets) — various producers (2022)
  6. GB/T 3077 ( 30CrNi4MoV ) — SAC (2015)
  7. SMM / Mysteel (2025)

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.