Steel CPM S30V · heat-treated state
Steel CPM S30V Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other CPM S30V tempers.
General hardened service condition for blades and wear parts.
What is CPM S30V Q&T?
CPM S30V Q&T is CPM S30V heat treated to Q&T — general hardened service condition for blades and wear parts. CPM S30V Q&T has a yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 221 GPa (32.1 Msi). CPM S30V Q&T 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,800 MPa (261 ksi), better than 99% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 58/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 70/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 6/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- 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
- High embodied carbon — 5.5 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 97% of steel grades
CPM S30V Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for CPM S30V Q&T — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every CPM S30V temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
CPM S30V Q&T 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 Q&T has a yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 221 GPa (32.1 Msi).
Thermal5
CPM S30V Q&T is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °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 Q&T has an electrical resistivity of 6.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is good (58/100), better than 99% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CPM S30V Q&T takes about 70 MJ of energy and emits 5.5 kg of CO₂ — more than 96% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
CPM S30V Q&T's machinability is not recommended (6/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other CPM S30V tempers and conditions
CPM S30V is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the CPM S30V overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStock condition for blanking, milling and drilling before hardening.700 MPa yield · 23 HRC
- Hardened & TemperedStandard knife-blade route: maximum hardness plus best corrosion resistance.2,100 MPa tensile
- Q&TGeneral hardened service condition for blades and wear parts.1,800 MPa yield · 60 HRC
Working with CPM S30V Q&T
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.
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.
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 | — |
CPM S30V Q&T — frequently asked
What is CPM S30V Q&T used for?
CPM S30V Q&T 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 Q&T?
CPM S30V Q&T has a typical yield strength of 1,800 MPa (261 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,050 MPa (297 ksi) — stronger than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is CPM S30V Q&T easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (6/100, worse than 100% 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 Q&T 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 Q&T?
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 Q&T 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 Q&T?
CPM S30V Q&T 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in CPM S30V Q&T?
Yes — CPM S30V Q&T is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.