Steel 38MnVS6
EN 38MnVS6
38MnVS6 (1.1303) is a vanadium-microalloyed, sulfur-bearing medium-carbon forging steel to EN 10267 that develops 800-1000 MPa tensile from V(C,N) precipitation in a ferrite-pearlite structure during controlled cooling after forging, skipping quench and temper.
Values for the As Forged condition
38MnVS6 tempers and conditions
38MnVS6 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. As Forged is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Soft Annealed | Pick when heavy machining or cold working of the bar precedes final hardening; lowest strength condition. | 420 | 700 | 20 | 14 HRC | 8.5 % IACS |
Normalized | Use when a uniform, more homogeneous ferritic-pearlitic structure and better toughness are wanted at somewhat lower strength. | 510 | 810 | 17 | 22 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Bar stock condition for machined-from-bar parts where no forging step is used. | 570 | 860 | 15 | 25 HRC | 8 % IACS |
As ForgedDefault hot forged and controlled air cooled (precipitation hardened) | Standard delivery condition for automotive forgings: no quench-and-temper needed, strength from V(C,N) precipitation on cooling. | 600 | 900 | 14 | 27 HRC | — |
Induction hardened | Standard for crankshaft journals and pins: hard wear-resistant case plus compressive residual stress for bending fatigue. | 600 | 900 | 13 | 57 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Choose for close-tolerance bar and higher yield strength when ductility is less critical. | 760 | 950 | 8 | 29 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Used only when the as-forged property level or toughness is insufficient; loses the cost advantage of the non-quenched concept. | 800 | 1,000 | 13 | 30 HRC | 8 % IACS |
What is 38MnVS6?
38MnVS6 (1.1303) is a vanadium-microalloyed, sulfur-bearing medium-carbon forging steel to EN 10267 that develops 800-1000 MPa tensile from V(C,N) precipitation in a ferrite-pearlite structure during controlled cooling after forging, skipping quench and temper. It is used in high-volume automotive forgings — crankshafts, connecting rods, steering knuckles, front axles — and is stocked as-forged, HR, normalized, cold-drawn and Q&T; the default is 600 MPa yield, 900 MPa tensile, 14% elongation, 270 HB (27 HRC). Toughness and low-temperature impact are limited, weldability is poor, and transverse properties suffer from sulfide stringers. 38MnVS6 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). 38MnVS6 has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 38MnVS6 used for?
- Bolts
- Industrial drive shafts
- Crankshafts
Advantages
- High strength — 600 MPa (87 ksi), better than 77% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 82% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 75% of steel grades
38MnVS6 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 38MnVS6-As Forged; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
38MnVS6 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
38MnVS6 has a yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
38MnVS6 is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 44 W/m·K (25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
38MnVS6 conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 38MnVS6 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability5
38MnVS6's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (25/100).
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. 38MnVS6 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 38MnVS6
Is 38MnVS6 easy to machine?
Machines like a 250–290 HB medium-carbon steel; the controlled sulfur gives good chip breaking and acceptable tool life, but expect higher cutting forces than 1045 — use coated carbide and rigid setups.
Can 38MnVS6 be welded?
Not intended for welding: medium carbon plus free sulfur cause hot-cracking and hard HAZ; if unavoidable, preheat 200–300 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relief.
Can 38MnVS6 be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for hot forging at 1100–1250 °C with controlled cooling from about 850 °C to develop V(C,N) strengthening; cold forming/upsetting is limited by low ductility.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 38MnVS6. Every 38MnVS6 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent58 / 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 | Fair25 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Poor30 / 100 |
38MnVS6 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 | 0.34 – 0.41 | 0.38 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.8 | 0.45 |
| Mn | 1.2 – 1.6 | 1.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Sintentional, for machinability and inclusion control | 0.02 – 0.06 | 0.05 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Mo | ≤ 0.08 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Vprecipitation strengthening | 0.08 – 0.2 | 0.12 |
| Nfor V(C,N) precipitation | 0.01 – 0.02 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 38MnVS6?
No inherent corrosion protection — specify Mn-phosphate, oil, zinc or paint; journals are typically induction hardened then ground and polished, and shot peening further improves fatigue life.
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 38MnVS6 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.1303
How much does 38MnVS6 cost?
38MnVS6 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.
38MnVS6 — frequently asked
What is 38MnVS6 used for?
38MnVS6 is typically used for bolts, industrial drive shafts and crankshafts. In short: microalloyed forging bar.
What is the yield strength of 38MnVS6?
38MnVS6 has a typical yield strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 38MnVS6 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like a 250–290 HB medium-carbon steel; the controlled sulfur gives good chip breaking and acceptable tool life, but expect higher cutting forces than 1045 — use coated carbide and rigid setups.
Can 38MnVS6 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Not intended for welding: medium carbon plus free sulfur cause hot-cracking and hard HAZ; if unavoidable, preheat 200–300 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relief.
What surface finishes work on 38MnVS6?
No inherent corrosion protection — specify Mn-phosphate, oil, zinc or paint; journals are typically induction hardened then ground and polished, and shot peening further improves fatigue life.
Can 38MnVS6 be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for hot forging at 1100–1250 °C with controlled cooling from about 850 °C to develop V(C,N) strengthening; cold forming/upsetting is limited by low ductility.
What is the maximum service temperature of 38MnVS6?
38MnVS6 is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 38MnVS6 As Forged and 38MnVS6-SA?
As Forged is the default condition — standard delivery condition for automotive forgings: no quench-and-temper needed, strength from V(C,N) precipitation on cooling. SA: pick when heavy machining or cold working of the bar precedes final hardening; lowest strength condition. Yield strength is 600 MPa in As Forged versus 420 MPa in SA.
How much does 38MnVS6 cost?
38MnVS6 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 38MnVS6?
Yes — 38MnVS6 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
- EN 10267 — Ferritic-pearlitic steels for precipitation hardening from hot-working temperatures — CEN (1998)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Fundamentals and Applications of Microalloyed Forging Steels (SAE/AIST literature) — SAE International (1996)
- Non-quenched-and-tempered forging steel bar datasheets — special steel producers (e.g. Ovako, Saarstahl, Dongbei Special Steel) (2023)
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.