Steel VDCrV
GB VDCrV
VDCrV is a chromium-vanadium alloyed, oil hardened and tempered valve-spring quality wire to EN 10270-2, selected for higher fatigue strength and heat resistance than plain carbon VDC.
Reference datasheet — VDCrV is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the OT condition
VDCrV tempers and conditions
VDCrV is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. OT 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Intermediate mill condition only; used when the part is cold formed and then quench-and-temper hardened by the spring maker. | 450 | 700 | 18 | 17 HRC | 8.6 % IACS |
oil hardened and tempered, d > 4.0 mm (up to ~10 mm) | Large-diameter Cr-V wire for heavy-duty valve/clutch springs; tensile drops with section size but Cr-V hardenability keeps the core fully martensitic. | 1,450 | 1,620 | 8 | 47 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
OTDefault Oil hardened and tempered wire, valve spring quality | Standard as-supplied condition for coiling high-duty valve and injector springs. | 1,570 | 1,750 | 7 | 50 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
coiled spring, stress relieved 350–430 °C | Condition of the finished coiled spring after low-temperature stress relief; raises the elastic limit and relaxation resistance. | 1,650 | 1,780 | 7 | 50 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
OT + SR + shot peened | Choose for maximum high-cycle fatigue life in engine valve springs; compressive surface stress lifts the endurance limit substantially. | 1,660 | 1,780 | 6 | 51 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
OT fine gauge | Fine-diameter valve spring wire; the same heat treatment gives higher tensile because of the smaller section. | 1,690 | 1,880 | 6 | 52 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
What is VDCrV?
VDCrV is a chromium-vanadium alloyed, oil hardened and tempered valve-spring quality wire to EN 10270-2, selected for higher fatigue strength and heat resistance than plain carbon VDC. Default oil-tempered properties are about 1570 MPa yield, 1750 MPa tensile and 50 HRC, with a service ceiling near 220 °C; it is stocked as OT fine and heavy variants, OT+SR, OT+SR+SP and annealed rod. The wire is not weldable or machinable in the delivered condition, and finished springs must not be acid pickled without a hydrogen bake. VDSiCr offers higher strength when relaxation resistance governs. VDCrV has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). VDCrV has a yield strength of 1,570 MPa (228 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
What is VDCrV used for?
- engine valve springs
- high-stress precision springs
- automotive suspension components
Advantages
- High strength — 1,570 MPa (228 ksi), better than 98% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 7%, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 22/100, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 40 MPa·√m (36.4 ksi·√in), worse than 92% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 220°C (428 °F), worse than 89% of steel grades
VDCrV properties
Typical room-temperature values for VDCrV-OT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
VDCrV has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
VDCrV has a yield strength of 1,570 MPa (228 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 7% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
Thermal6
VDCrV is rated for continuous service to 220°C (428 °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
VDCrV conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (14/100), better than 70% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of VDCrV takes about 31 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
VDCrV's machinability is poor (22/100, worse than 95% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. VDCrV is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with VDCrV
Is VDCrV easy to machine?
Supplied at ~50 HRC — ends are ground, not turned; any machining needs CBN/ceramic tooling or is done in the annealed rod condition.
Can VDCrV be welded?
Effectively unweldable in service condition: 0.5 %C with Cr forms brittle untempered martensite; only resistance tacking of coil ends with subsequent local temper.
Can VDCrV be formed, bent or molded?
Cold coiled directly from the oil-tempered spool; keep coiling stresses moderate, then stress relieve 350–430 °C for 20–30 min and pre-set to remove initial relaxation.
VDCrV 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CDCrV chemistry per EN 10270-2, comparable to 50CrV4 / JIS SWOCV-V | 0.47 – 0.55 | 0.51 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.27 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 1 | 0.8 |
| Cr | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| V | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.16 |
| Pvalve spring quality — tightened limits | ≤ 0.02 | |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Cu | ≤ 0.12 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on VDCrV?
Shot peen for fatigue, then phosphate + oil, Zn or Zn-Ni plate (bake 190–220 °C ≥4 h against hydrogen embrittlement) or epoxy/powder coat; avoid acid pickling of finished springs.
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
How much does VDCrV cost?
VDCrV 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.
VDCrV — frequently asked
What is VDCrV used for?
VDCrV is typically used for engine valve springs, high-stress precision springs and automotive suspension components. In short: hottest-running VD grade, 220 °C; higher fatigue than plain carbon VDC; cr-V valve-spring wire.
What is the yield strength of VDCrV?
VDCrV has a typical yield strength of 1,570 MPa (228 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,750 MPa (254 ksi) — stronger than 98% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is VDCrV easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (22/100, worse than 95% of steel grades). Supplied at ~50 HRC — ends are ground, not turned; any machining needs CBN/ceramic tooling or is done in the annealed rod condition.
Can VDCrV be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). Effectively unweldable in service condition: 0.5 %C with Cr forms brittle untempered martensite; only resistance tacking of coil ends with subsequent local temper.
What surface finishes work on VDCrV?
Shot peen for fatigue, then phosphate + oil, Zn or Zn-Ni plate (bake 190–220 °C ≥4 h against hydrogen embrittlement) or epoxy/powder coat; avoid acid pickling of finished springs.
Can VDCrV be formed, bent or molded?
Cold coiled directly from the oil-tempered spool; keep coiling stresses moderate, then stress relieve 350–430 °C for 20–30 min and pre-set to remove initial relaxation.
What is the maximum service temperature of VDCrV?
VDCrV is rated for continuous use to about 220°C (428 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between VDCrV-OT and VDCrV-ANN?
OT is the default condition — standard as-supplied condition for coiling high-duty valve and injector springs. ANN: intermediate mill condition only; used when the part is cold formed and then quench-and-temper hardened by the spring maker. Yield strength is 1,570 MPa in OT versus 450 MPa in ANN.
How much does VDCrV cost?
VDCrV 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.
Sources
- EN 10270-2 — Steel wire for mechanical springs, Part 2: Oil hardened and tempered spring steel wire — CEN (2011)
- EN 10083-3 — Quenched and tempered steels, alloy steels (50CrV4) — CEN (2006)
- EN 13906-1 — Cylindrical helical springs, compression springs design — CEN (2013)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (spring steels) — ASM International (1990)
- JIS G 3561 — Oil tempered Cr-V wire for valve springs (SWOCV-V) — JISC (2018)
- Oil hardened and tempered valve spring wire datasheets (Suzuki Garphyttan / Sandvik / Kobe Steel) — various producers (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.