Steel CPM S30V
CPM S30V is a powder-metallurgy martensitic stainless tool steel with high vanadium and chromium, giving fine vanadium carbides in a corrosion-resistant matrix.
Values for the Annealed condition
CPM S30V tempers and conditions
CPM S30V is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault soft, as-supplied bar/plate for machining | Stock condition for blanking, milling and drilling before hardening. | 700 | 950 | 8 | 23 HRC | — |
machined blanks stabilized before hardening (~650 °C) | Intermediate step for thin or asymmetric parts to reduce distortion during hardening. | 725 | 970 | 7 | 24 HRC | 2.6 % IACS |
High (secondary hardening) temper ~540 °C | Use when tempering above 250 °C is needed for dimensional stability or nitriding/coating cycles; accept lower corrosion resistance. | 1,750 | 1,950 | 1 | 58 HRC | 2.6 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | General hardened service condition for blades and wear parts. | 1,800 | 2,050 | 1 | 60 HRC | — |
H&T + Cryogenic treatment | Choose when maximum attainable hardness and edge retention are required and retained austenite must be minimized. | 1,950 | 2,200 | 0.5 | 61 HRC | 2.5 % IACS |
What is CPM S30V?
CPM S30V is a powder-metallurgy martensitic stainless tool steel with high vanadium and chromium, giving fine vanadium carbides in a corrosion-resistant matrix. It is specified for knife blades that need edge retention together with stainless behaviour, and is bought as annealed plate or blanks that are machined, then hardened to 57-58 HRC or to 60-61 HRC with cryogenic treatment. Annealed properties are 700 MPa yield, 950 MPa tensile, 8 % elongation and 240 HB (23 HRC), with a 400 °C service limit. Machinability is 20 and formability 12, so grinding and EDM drive cost; 440C machines more easily where edge life matters less. CPM S30V has a density of 7.44 g/cm³ (0.269 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). CPM S30V has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 221 GPa (32.1 Msi).
What is CPM S30V used for?
- Kitchen knife blades
- Tactical and folding knife blades
- Hunting and outdoor blades
- Industrial slitting and trimming knives
- Food-processing cutting blades
- Corrosion-exposed wear inserts
- Machined blade blanks
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 45/100, better than 98% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- High strength — 700 MPa (102 ksi), better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 24 MPa·√m (21.8 ksi·√in), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- High embodied carbon — 5.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades
CPM S30V properties
Typical room-temperature values for CPM S30V-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
CPM S30V has a density of 7.44 g/cm³ (0.269 lb/in³), lighter than 98% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical12
CPM S30V has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 221 GPa (32.1 Msi).
Thermal5
CPM S30V is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 20 W/m·K (11.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.4 µm/m·K (5.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
CPM S30V has an electrical resistivity of 6.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is fair (45/100), better than 98% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CPM S30V takes about 70 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 97% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
CPM S30V's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
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. CPM S30V is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with CPM S30V
Is CPM S30V easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and carbide or ceramic tooling; hardened parts require CBN/diamond grinding or EDM, and abundant coolant to avoid burn.
Can CPM S30V be welded?
Not recommended for structural joints; if unavoidable, preheat 200–260 °C, use matched or 410-type filler and temper immediately, expect cracking risk.
Can CPM S30V be formed, bent or molded?
Essentially non-formable cold; produce shapes by machining, waterjet or grinding of annealed stock, then harden.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to CPM S30V. Every CPM S30V part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Poor20 / 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 |
CPM S30V 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CCrucible nominal | 1.4 – 1.5 | 1.45 |
| Cr | 13.5 – 14.5 | 14 |
| Vforms fine MC carbides for wear resistance | 3.8 – 4.2 | 4 |
| Mo | 1.8 – 2.2 | 2 |
| Mnresidual | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Siresidual | ≤ 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Presidual | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Sresidual | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on CPM S30V?
Passivate after hardening, hand-finish or belt-grind to remove decarburized skin; takes a satin-to-mirror finish and accepts DLC/PVD or black-oxide coatings.
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
How much does CPM S30V cost?
CPM S30V is a premium-cost steel ($$$), pricier than about 57% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
CPM S30V — frequently asked
What is CPM S30V used for?
CPM S30V is typically used for kitchen knife blades, tactical and folding knife blades, hunting and outdoor blades, industrial slitting and trimming knives, food-processing cutting blades and corrosion-exposed wear inserts. In short: premium powder-metal blade.
What is the yield strength of CPM S30V?
CPM S30V has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 81% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is CPM S30V easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed state with rigid setups, low speeds and carbide or ceramic tooling; hardened parts require CBN/diamond grinding or EDM, and abundant coolant to avoid burn.
Can CPM S30V be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Not recommended for structural joints; if unavoidable, preheat 200–260 °C, use matched or 410-type filler and temper immediately, expect cracking risk.
What surface finishes work on CPM S30V?
Passivate after hardening, hand-finish or belt-grind to remove decarburized skin; takes a satin-to-mirror finish and accepts DLC/PVD or black-oxide coatings.
Can CPM S30V be formed, bent or molded?
Essentially non-formable cold; produce shapes by machining, waterjet or grinding of annealed stock, then harden.
What is the maximum service temperature of CPM S30V?
CPM S30V is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does CPM S30V cost?
CPM S30V is a premium-cost steel ($$$), pricier than about 57% 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 CPM S30V?
Yes — CPM S30V 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 S30V Data Sheet — Crucible Industries (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Tool Steels, 5th ed. — ASM International (1998)
- Knife-steel composition and toughness/hardness comparison data — Knife Steel Nerds (2023)
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.