Steel 50CrV4
EN 50CrV4 · JIS SUP10
50CrV4 (1.8159, close to AISI 6150, also designated 50CrVA) is a medium-carbon chromium-vanadium spring steel in which vanadium refines grain and forms stable carbides, giving better hardenability, temper-softening resistance and fatigue life than plain silicon-manganese spring steels.
Values for the Annealed condition
50CrV4 tempers and conditions
50CrV4 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft (spheroidize) annealed, ≤248 HB | Pick the soft (spheroidize) annealed bar or strip at =248 HB as standard stock when parts must be machined or cold formed before quench hardening; strength is at its minimum. | 460 | 780 | 18 | 225 HB | — |
as-rolled / +AR bar and flat | Pick as-rolled (+AR) bar and flat as the cheapest delivery state for blanks that will be reheated for forging or later through quenched and tempered; service properties are uncontrolled. | 560 | 900 | 13 | 27 HRC | 8 % IACS |
+N, austenitized ~860 °C and air cooled | Use the +N state, austenitized ~860 °C and air cooled, to homogenize forgings and heavy-section blanks and remove banded segregation in preparation for final quenching and tempering. | 600 | 950 | 13 | 29 HRC | 8 % IACS |
annealed then cold drawn bar/wire (+C) | Choose annealed then cold drawn (+C) bar or wire for small diameters needing bright surface, precise size and higher strength, used directly or hardened later; elongation falls to 8%. | 720 | 900 | 8 | 27 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Choose the oil quenched and tempered 1000–1300 MPa class (≈40 HRC) for torsion bars, drive shafts, high-strength tools and medium-section spring parts needing balanced strength and toughness. | 1,050 | 1,250 | 10 | 40 HRC | 42 W/m·K |
oil-hardened and tempered spring wire/strip (VDCrV type) | Pick oil-hardened and tempered spring wire or strip (VDCrV type) for direct coiling: high relaxation resistance and fatigue life, with only a stress-relief temper needed after coiling. | 1,550 | 1,750 | 7 | 50 HRC | 7 % IACS |
What is 50CrV4?
50CrV4 (1.8159, close to AISI 6150, also designated 50CrVA) is a medium-carbon chromium-vanadium spring steel in which vanadium refines grain and forms stable carbides, giving better hardenability, temper-softening resistance and fatigue life than plain silicon-manganese spring steels. It is used for leaf and coil springs, torsion bars, valve spring wire and high-strength shafts, supplied hot-rolled, annealed, cold-drawn, oil-tempered or quenched and tempered. Corrosion resistance is poor, weldability is poor, and post-quench toughness is sensitive to tempering temperature and decarburised skin; 51CrV4 is the nearest alternative. 50CrV4 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). 50CrV4 has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is 50CrV4 used for?
- Leaf springs
- Coil springs
- Springs
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
50CrV4 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 50CrV4-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
50CrV4 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).
Mechanical14
50CrV4 has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
50CrV4 is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °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
50CrV4 conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 50CrV4 takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability6
50CrV4's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. 50CrV4 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 50CrV4
Is 50CrV4 easy to machine?
Cut annealed material (≤248 HB) with coated carbide at normal spring-steel speeds; machinability is about 60 % of 1212. Above 40 HRC switch to CBN or ceramic for hard turning, or grind, and schedule all machining before hardening.
Can 50CrV4 be welded?
Carbon equivalent is high and weldability is poor: preheat 250–350 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables, cool slowly and temper immediately below the original tempering temperature. Finished springs should not be welded.
Can 50CrV4 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bend, coil and head only in the spheroidise-annealed state. Forge 1050–1150 °C with finishing temperature not below 850 °C, then slow cool or normalize; harden 830–870 °C with an oil quench and temper 400–500 °C for spring hardness or 550–650 °C for Q&T strength.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 50CrV4. Every 50CrV4 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair55 / 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 | Better45 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair25 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
50CrV4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 10089 / EN 10083-3 (1.8159) | 0.47 – 0.55 | 0.51 |
| Si | 0 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Cr | 0.9 – 1.2 | 1.05 |
| Vgrain refinement + tempering resistance | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.15 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 50CrV4?
Cannot be anodised; shot peening gives a large fatigue-life gain and is normally followed by phosphate plus paint, black oxide or zinc plating. Bake high-strength plated parts at 190–220 °C to remove hydrogen, and grind off any decarburised surface layer.
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 50CrV4 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 50CrV4 cost?
50CrV4 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.
50CrV4 — frequently asked
What is 50CrV4 used for?
50CrV4 is typically used for leaf springs, coil springs and springs. In short: chromium-vanadium spring bar.
What is the yield strength of 50CrV4?
50CrV4 has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 50CrV4 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Cut annealed material (≤248 HB) with coated carbide at normal spring-steel speeds; machinability is about 60 % of 1212. Above 40 HRC switch to CBN or ceramic for hard turning, or grind, and schedule all machining before hardening.
Can 50CrV4 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Carbon equivalent is high and weldability is poor: preheat 250–350 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables, cool slowly and temper immediately below the original tempering temperature. Finished springs should not be welded.
What surface finishes work on 50CrV4?
Cannot be anodised; shot peening gives a large fatigue-life gain and is normally followed by phosphate plus paint, black oxide or zinc plating. Bake high-strength plated parts at 190–220 °C to remove hydrogen, and grind off any decarburised surface layer.
Can 50CrV4 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bend, coil and head only in the spheroidise-annealed state. Forge 1050–1150 °C with finishing temperature not below 850 °C, then slow cool or normalize; harden 830–870 °C with an oil quench and temper 400–500 °C for spring hardness or 550–650 °C for Q&T strength.
What is the maximum service temperature of 50CrV4?
50CrV4 is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 50CrV4 cost?
50CrV4 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 50CrV4?
Yes — 50CrV4 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 10089 — Hot-rolled steels for quenched and tempered springs — CEN (2002)
- EN 10083-3 — Steels for quenching and tempering, alloy steels — CEN (2006)
- EN 10270-2 — Steel wire for mechanical springs, oil hardened and tempered — CEN (2011)
- GB/T 1222 — (50CrVA) — SAC (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels (AISI 6150) — ASM International (1990)
- Alloy spring steel 1.8159 / 51CrV4 data sheet — European long-products producer (2022)
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.