Steel CPM 3V · heat-treated state
Steel CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered
Properties of the Hardened & Tempered condition, compared with the other CPM 3V tempers.
Standard working hardness for punches, shear blades and knife edges — best toughness/wear balance.
What is CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered?
CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered is CPM 3V heat treated to Hardened & Tempered — standard working hardness for punches, shear blades and knife edges — best toughness/wear balance. CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered has a yield strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered has a density of 7.46 g/cm³ (0.27 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Hardened & Tempered is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,750 MPa (254 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 22/100, better than 89% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 480°C (896 °F), better than 88% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 2%, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 22 W/m·K (12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 3.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 93% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered properties
Typical room-temperature values for CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every CPM 3V temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical2
CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered has a density of 7.46 g/cm³ (0.27 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical8
CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered has a yield strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 2% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal5
CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered is rated for continuous service to 480°C (896 °F). It conducts heat at 22 W/m·K (12.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered has an electrical resistivity of 6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), better than 89% of steel grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 92% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered's machinability is not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (15/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other CPM 3V tempers and conditions
CPM 3V is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the CPM 3V overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard stock condition for machining and grinding before hardening.600 MPa yield · 25 HRC
- Hardened & TemperedStandard working hardness for punches, shear blades and knife edges — best toughness/wear balance.1,750 MPa yield · 59 HRC
Working with CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered
Is CPM 3V easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, carbide or coated carbide tooling, low SFM and heavy positive rake; grinding of hardened parts needs SG/CBN wheels because of the 2.75% V carbides.
Can CPM 3V be welded?
Not intended for structural welding; repair-weld with matching or tool-steel filler at 400–500 °C preheat followed by an immediate temper to avoid HAZ cracking.
Can CPM 3V be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 1040–1120 °C with slow controlled cooling and full anneal; cold forming is impractical.
What surface finishes work on CPM 3V?
Polishes to a fine finish thanks to the uniform PM carbide structure; protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate or PVD/DLC coatings since it is not stainless — post-hardening cryogenic treatment plus double temper improves dimensional stability.
CPM 3V 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 | 0.75 – 0.85 | 0.8 |
| Cr | 7 – 8 | 7.5 |
| Vforms fine MC vanadium carbides | 2.5 – 3 | 2.75 |
| Mo | 1.2 – 1.4 | 1.3 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Si | 0.7 – 1 | 0.9 |
| Fe | balance | — |
CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered — frequently asked
What is CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered used for?
CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered is typically used for cold work tooling, punches and shears. In short: premium tough wear tool.
What is the yield strength of CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered?
CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered has a typical yield strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, carbide or coated carbide tooling, low SFM and heavy positive rake; grinding of hardened parts needs SG/CBN wheels because of the 2.75% V carbides.
Can CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not intended for structural welding; repair-weld with matching or tool-steel filler at 400–500 °C preheat followed by an immediate temper to avoid HAZ cracking.
What surface finishes work on CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered?
Polishes to a fine finish thanks to the uniform PM carbide structure; protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate or PVD/DLC coatings since it is not stainless — post-hardening cryogenic treatment plus double temper improves dimensional stability.
Can CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work at 1040–1120 °C with slow controlled cooling and full anneal; cold forming is impractical.
What is the maximum service temperature of CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered?
CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered?
Yes — CPM 3V Hardened & Tempered is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- CPM 3V Data Sheet — Crucible Industries (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Tool Steels, 5th ed. — ASM International (1998)
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.