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Steel 40CrV-Q

Heat-treated state

GB 40CrV

Q = as-quenched (oil, 860–880 °C), untempered

Intermediate state only — must be tempered promptly; quoted for hardenability reference.

Budget cost $

Values for the Q condition

Other 40CrV tempers and conditions

40CrV is listed in 11 conditions; see the grade overview at 40CrV.

Compare all 11 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Solution annealed
Softest supply condition for deep machining, cold cutting and forging stock before final heat treatment.40067022197 HB—
Hot rolled
Mill supply condition for bar and billet that will be heat treated by the part maker.4607601619 HRC8.1 % IACS
Normalized
Uniform fine-grained structure for forgings and as a pre-treatment before quenching; medium strength without full Q&T cost.5208001721 HRC8.1 % IACS
Cold drawn
Bright bar with close tolerance and higher yield for shafts and fasteners machined without further heat treatment.7008501025 HRC7.9 % IACS
QTDefault
Quenched and tempered
Standard commercial quenched and tempered stock — 880 °C oil quench plus 650 °C temper — for shafts and gears needing 810 MPa yield with 13 % elongation and good impact toughness.8109801330 HRC—
Induction hardened
Wear-resistant surface with tough core for journals, gear teeth and spline shafts.8109801256 HRC7.5 % IACS
Q&T to 28–32 HRC
Tough general machine-part hardness; still readily machinable after heat treatment.8501,0001430 HRC7.8 % IACS
Q&T to 33–38 HRC
Higher-strength shafts, torsion bars and moderately loaded gears where toughness is still needed.1,0101,1501235 HRC—
Q&T to 40–45 HRC
High fatigue-strength condition for torsion bars, heavy springs and highly loaded pins.1,2501,380943 HRC—
Q&T to 48–52 HRC
Spring/leaf and high-elastic-limit parts; low ductility and notch sensitivity must be designed around.1,5001,700750 HRC—
QThis page
As-quenched (oil, 860–880 °C), untempered
Intermediate state only — must be tempered promptly; quoted for hardenability reference.1,5501,980256 HRC5.6 % IACS

What is 40CrV-Q?

40CrV-Q is 40CrV heat treated to Q — intermediate state only — must be tempered promptly; quoted for hardenability reference. 40CrV-Q has a yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,980 MPa (287 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 40CrV-Q 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; Q is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High strength — 1,550 MPa (225 ksi), better than 97% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
  • Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 20 MPa·√m (18.2 ksi·√in), worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Limited service temperature — 150°C (302 °F), worse than 99% of steel grades
  • Difficult to weld — 8/100, worse than 99% of steel grades

40CrV-Q properties

Typical room-temperature values for 40CrV-Q; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 40CrV reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

40CrV-Q 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 Temperature1,495°C2,723 °F

Mechanical16

40CrV-Q has a yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,980 MPa (287 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus81 GPa11.7 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,980 MPa287 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,550 MPa225 ksi
Elongation at Break2%
Reduction in Area5%
Compressive Strength2,400 MPa348 ksi
Shear Strength1,200 MPa174 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)650 MPa94.3 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)20 MPa·√m18.2 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)6 J4.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell600 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C56 HRC
Hardness, Vickers630 HV

Thermal6

40CrV-Q is rated for continuous service to 150°C (302 °F). It conducts heat at 36 W/m·K (20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 73% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.2 µm/m·K (6.78 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity36 W/m·K20.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)150°C302 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

40CrV-Q conducts electricity at 5.6 % IACS, worse than 80% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity5.6 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity3.1×10⁻⁷ Ω·m12.2 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.62 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended10/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in moist air and water; no resistance to acids or chlorides — requires oiling, phosphating, zinc plating or paint. Adequate in dry oil-lubricated service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 40CrV-Q takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability6

40CrV-Q's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (8/100); formability not recommended (3/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended8/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)8%
WeldabilityNot recommended8/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended3/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair50/100
PolishabilityGood60/100

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

Working with 40CrV-Q

Is 40CrV easy to machine?

Machine in the annealed or ≤32 HRC Q&T state with carbide tooling and rigid setups; above 40 HRC switch to CBN/ceramic or grinding.

Can 40CrV be welded?

Weldable only with care — preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, and temper/stress relieve at 550–650 °C after welding; avoid welding fully hardened parts.

Can 40CrV be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge at 1150–850 °C then normalize; cold bending is limited and should be done annealed with generous radii.

What surface finishes work on 40CrV?

No natural corrosion protection — use black oxide, phosphate + oil, zinc or hard-chrome plating; grind and shot peen for fatigue-critical surfaces.

40CrV 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
CGB/T 30770.37 – 0.440.4
Si0.17 – 0.370.27
Mn0.5 – 0.80.65
Cr0.8 – 1.10.95
Vgrain refinement, temper resistance0.1 – 0.20.15
P≤ 0.03—
S≤ 0.03—
Niresidual max≤ 0.3—
Curesidual max≤ 0.25—
Febalance—

40CrV-Q — frequently asked

What is 40CrV-Q used for?

40CrV-Q is typically used for shafts, springs, gears and tool holders. In short: cr-V fatigue-resistant steel; good temper resistance; wide Q&T hardness range.

What is the yield strength of 40CrV-Q?

40CrV-Q has a typical yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,980 MPa (287 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.

Is 40CrV-Q easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed or ≤32 HRC Q&T state with carbide tooling and rigid setups; above 40 HRC switch to CBN/ceramic or grinding.

Can 40CrV-Q be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (8/100). Weldable only with care — preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, and temper/stress relieve at 550–650 °C after welding; avoid welding fully hardened parts.

What surface finishes work on 40CrV-Q?

No natural corrosion protection — use black oxide, phosphate + oil, zinc or hard-chrome plating; grind and shot peen for fatigue-critical surfaces.

Can 40CrV-Q be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge at 1150–850 °C then normalize; cold bending is limited and should be done annealed with generous radii.

What is the maximum service temperature of 40CrV-Q?

40CrV-Q is rated for continuous use to about 150°C (302 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between 40CrV-QT and 40CrV-Q?

QT is the default condition — standard commercial quenched and tempered stock — 880 °C oil quench plus 650 °C temper — for shafts and gears needing 810 MPa yield with 13 % elongation and good impact toughness. Q: intermediate state only — must be tempered promptly; quoted for hardenability reference. Yield strength is 810 MPa in QT versus 1,550 MPa in Q.

Sources

  1. GB/T 699 / GB/T 1172 hardness–strength conversion — SAC (1999)
  2. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
  3. Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. — Industrial Press (2020)

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.