Steel W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD
Finish state
AISI/SAE M3
QT-PVD = qT + PVD coating
Hardened and coated at ≤500 °C for higher cutting speed, lower friction and 2–5× tool life.
Values for the QT-PVD condition
Other W6Mo5Cr4V3 tempers and conditions
W6Mo5Cr4V3 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at W6Mo5Cr4V3.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ADefault Solution annealed | Standard mill-supplied condition for machining tool blanks before hardening. | 560 | 860 | 12 | 248 HB | 24 W/m·K |
Precision ground annealed bar | Ground-to-size annealed stock (h6/h7) for direct tool blanks and reamers; still requires hardening. | 570 | 880 | 11 | 24 HRC | 3.2 % IACS |
Cold drawn / peeled annealed bar | Pick for small-diameter drill/tap blanks needing close diameter tolerance and clean surface before hardening. | 700 | 950 | 8 | 26 HRC | 3.2 % IACS |
QT + steam oxide | Hardened tool given Fe3O4 steam treatment for oil retention and anti-galling on drills and taps. | 2,000 | 2,350 | 1 | 64 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
QT-PVDThis page QT + PVD coating | Hardened and coated at ≤500 °C for higher cutting speed, lower friction and 2–5× tool life. | 2,000 | 2,350 | 1 | 64 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
QT + plasma/salt-bath nitriding of hardened tool | Thin nitride case (5–20 µm) on hardened HSS for gears hobs and forming tools; risk of brittle white layer. | 2,000 | 2,350 | 1 | 64 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
QT 60–62 HRC | Lower austenitizing (~1180–1200 °C) or higher temper for interrupted cuts, taps and broaches where chipping is the failure mode. | — | 2,200 | — | 61 HRC | 22 W/m·K |
QT 65–66 HRC | Choose for abrasive workpieces and light, continuous cuts where wear — not chipping — controls tool life. | 2,200 | 2,400 | 0.5 | 66 HRC | 2.9 % IACS |
QT 63–65 HRC | Normal working hardness for drills, end mills and form tools: best balance of wear resistance and edge strength. | — | 2,400 | — | 64 HRC | 21 W/m·K |
What is W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD?
W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD is W6Mo5Cr4V3 supplied in the QT-PVD condition — hardened and coated at ≤500 °C for higher cutting speed, lower friction and 2–5× tool life. W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD has a yield strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,350 MPa (341 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 225 GPa (32.6 Msi). W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD has a density of 8.05 g/cm³ (0.291 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of steel grades. It melts at 1,250°C (2,282 °F). A is the default condition FabDigit quotes; QT-PVD is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 2,000 MPa (290 ksi), better than 100% of steel grades
- High service temperature — 800°C (1,472 °F), better than 100% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 35/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 72/100, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 4/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 3/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 1/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 1%, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 16 MPa·√m (14.6 ksi·√in), worse than 99% of steel grades
W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD properties
Typical room-temperature values for W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are W6Mo5Cr4V3 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD has a density of 8.05 g/cm³ (0.291 lb/in³), heavier than 96% of steel grades. It melts at 1,250°C (2,282 °F).
Mechanical16
W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD has a yield strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,350 MPa (341 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 1% and the elastic modulus is 225 GPa (32.6 Msi).
Thermal6
W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD is rated for continuous service to 800°C (1,472 °F). It conducts heat at 21 W/m·K (12.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 95% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 10.5 µm/m·K (5.83 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD conducts electricity at 2.9 % IACS, worse than 93% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), better than 97% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD takes about 62 MJ of energy and emits 4.2 kg of CO₂ — more than 96% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability8
W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD's machinability is not recommended (4/100, worse than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (3/100); formability not recommended (1/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD
Is W6Mo5Cr4V3 easy to machine?
Machine only in the annealed condition with sharp, rigid setups — 3% V means abundant MC carbides, so use cobalt-HSS or coated carbide, low speeds and generous coolant; finished hardened tools must be ground with SG/CBN wheels because grindability is noticeably worse than M2.
Can W6Mo5Cr4V3 be welded?
Not a structural weld grade; repair only by TIG/laser with matching or M2-type filler at 480–550 °C preheat, minimal heat input, and an immediate full triple temper afterwards.
Can W6Mo5Cr4V3 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work 1100→900 °C with slow cooling and immediate stress-relief anneal (840–870 °C, furnace cool); no meaningful cold forming — harden from 1190–1230 °C (salt bath or vacuum, high-pressure gas quench) and temper 3×1 h at 540–560 °C.
What surface finishes work on W6Mo5Cr4V3?
Rusts readily — protect with oil, black oxide, steam-oxide, phosphate, or low-temperature PVD (TiN/TiCN/TiAlN ≤500 °C); mirror polishing is achievable but carbide pull-out limits it below PM-HSS quality.
W6Mo5Cr4V3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CGB/T 9943 W6Mo5Cr4V3 ≈ AISI M3 Class 2 | 1.15 – 1.25 | 1.2 |
| Si | 0.2 – 0.45 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.28 |
| Cr | 3.8 – 4.5 | 4.15 |
| W | 5.9 – 6.7 | 6.3 |
| Mo | 4.7 – 5.2 | 5 |
| V | 2.7 – 3.2 | 2.95 |
| Coresidual | ≤ 0.5 | — |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD — frequently asked
What is W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD used for?
W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD is typically used for milling cutters, broaches and high-wear cutting tools. In short: high-vanadium M2 upgrade; wear-resistant cutting HSS; poorer grindability than M2.
What is the yield strength of W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD?
W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD has a typical yield strength of 2,000 MPa (290 ksi) and a tensile strength of 2,350 MPa (341 ksi) — stronger than 100% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (4/100, worse than 100% of steel grades). Machine only in the annealed condition with sharp, rigid setups — 3% V means abundant MC carbides, so use cobalt-HSS or coated carbide, low speeds and generous coolant; finished hardened tools must be ground with SG/CBN wheels because grindability is noticeably worse than M2.
Can W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (3/100). Not a structural weld grade; repair only by TIG/laser with matching or M2-type filler at 480–550 °C preheat, minimal heat input, and an immediate full triple temper afterwards.
What surface finishes work on W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD?
Rusts readily — protect with oil, black oxide, steam-oxide, phosphate, or low-temperature PVD (TiN/TiCN/TiAlN ≤500 °C); mirror polishing is achievable but carbide pull-out limits it below PM-HSS quality.
Can W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD be formed, bent or molded?
Hot work 1100→900 °C with slow cooling and immediate stress-relief anneal (840–870 °C, furnace cool); no meaningful cold forming — harden from 1190–1230 °C (salt bath or vacuum, high-pressure gas quench) and temper 3×1 h at 540–560 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD?
W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT-PVD is rated for continuous use to about 800°C (1,472 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between W6Mo5Cr4V3-A and W6Mo5Cr4V3 QT65-66?
A is the default condition — standard mill-supplied condition for machining tool blanks before hardening. QT65-66: choose for abrasive workpieces and light, continuous cuts where wear — not chipping — controls tool life. Yield strength is 560 MPa in A versus 2,200 MPa in QT65-66.
Sources
- ASTM A600 Standard Specification for Tool Steel High Speed — ASTM International (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys (Tool Steels) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16: Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Tool Steels, 5th ed. (Roberts, Krauss, Kennedy) — ASM International (1998)
- High-speed steel M3/S500-type bar datasheet — voestalpine Böhler Edelstahl (2020)
- W6Mo5Cr4V2 / W6Mo5Cr4V3 — Mysteel / 1688 (2025)
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.