Steel CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC
Hardness band
HT 54-56 HRC = high-toughness temper
Pick for heavy impact tooling (cold heading, hot shear knives) where chipping resistance beats wear life.
Values for the HT 54-56 HRC condition
Other CPM 3V tempers and conditions
CPM 3V is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at CPM 3V.
- Annealed
- HT 54-56 HRC
- Hardened & Tempered
- HT 60-62 HRC
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft annealed (as-supplied bar/plate) | Standard stock condition for machining and grinding before hardening. | 600 | 900 | 12 | 25 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
HT 54-56 HRCThis page High-toughness temper | Pick for heavy impact tooling (cold heading, hot shear knives) where chipping resistance beats wear life. | 1,550 | 1,800 | 4 | 55 HRC | 24 W/m·K |
austenitize ~1065 °C, quench, temper 525–550 °C (58–60 HRC) | Standard working hardness for punches, shear blades and knife edges — best toughness/wear balance. | 1,750 | 2,000 | 2 | 59 HRC | — |
High-hardness temper | Maximum wear resistance and edge retention for knives and slitting blades; toughness somewhat reduced. | 2,050 | 2,400 | 1.5 | 61 HRC | 22 W/m·K |
What is CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC?
CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC is CPM 3V heat treated to HT 54-56 HRC — pick for heavy impact tooling (cold heading, hot shear knives) where chipping resistance beats wear life. CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC has a yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 214 GPa (31 Msi). CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC 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; HT 54-56 HRC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,550 MPa (225 ksi), better than 97% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 90% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 22/100, better than 90% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 4/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 4%, worse than 98% of steel grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 2.9 % IACS, worse than 93% of steel grades
CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC properties
Typical room-temperature values for CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are CPM 3V reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical2
CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC 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).
Mechanical15
CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC has a yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 214 GPa (31 Msi).
Thermal5
CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 24 W/m·K (13.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 90% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.8 µm/m·K (6 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, worse than 93% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is poor (22/100), better than 90% of steel grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 93% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC's machinability is not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (4/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC
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 HT 54-56 HRC — frequently asked
What is CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC used for?
CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC is typically used for cold work tooling, punches and shears. In short: premium tough wear tool.
What is the yield strength of CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC?
CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC has a typical yield strength of 1,550 MPa (225 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (12/100, worse than 99% 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 HT 54-56 HRC be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). 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 HT 54-56 HRC?
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 HT 54-56 HRC 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 HT 54-56 HRC?
CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC?
Yes — CPM 3V HT 54-56 HRC is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. 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.