Steel 38MnVS6 · heat-treated state · default condition
Steel 38MnVS6 As Forged
Properties of the As Forged condition, compared with the other 38MnVS6 tempers.
Standard delivery condition for automotive forgings: no quench-and-temper needed, strength from V(C,N) precipitation on cooling.
What is 38MnVS6 As Forged?
38MnVS6 As Forged is 38MnVS6 heat treated to As Forged — standard delivery condition for automotive forgings: no quench-and-temper needed, strength from V(C,N) precipitation on cooling. 38MnVS6 As Forged 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). 38MnVS6 As Forged 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).
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 83% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 75% of steel grades
38MnVS6 As Forged properties
Typical room-temperature values for 38MnVS6 As Forged — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 38MnVS6 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
38MnVS6 As Forged 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 As Forged 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 As Forged 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 As Forged 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 As Forged 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 As Forged'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.
Other 38MnVS6 tempers and conditions
38MnVS6 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 38MnVS6 overview.
- As ForgedDefaultStandard delivery condition for automotive forgings: no quench-and-temper needed, strength from V(C,N) precipitation on cooling.600 MPa yield · 27 HRC
- Q&TUsed only when the as-forged property level or toughness is insufficient; loses the cost advantage of the non-quenched concept.800 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- HRBar stock condition for machined-from-bar parts where no forging step is used.570 MPa yield · 255 HB
Working with 38MnVS6 As Forged
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.
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.
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 | — |
38MnVS6 As Forged — frequently asked
What is 38MnVS6 As Forged used for?
38MnVS6 As Forged is typically used for bolts, industrial drive shafts and crankshafts. In short: microalloyed forging bar.
What is the yield strength of 38MnVS6 As Forged?
38MnVS6 As Forged 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 As Forged 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 As Forged 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 As Forged?
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 As Forged 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 As Forged?
38MnVS6 As Forged 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 38MnVS6 As Forged?
Yes — 38MnVS6 As Forged 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
- 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.