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CPM 4V Tool Steel: Performance and Products
- John
SteelPRO Group is a leading supplier of high-performance tool steels, including the renowned CPM 4V Steel. Whether you are looking for CPM 4V bar stock, plate, or round rods, SteelPRO Group is here to supply you with the materials you need.
What Is CPM 4V Steel?
CPM 4V Steel is a premium powder metallurgy tool steel recognized for its outstanding durability and resistance to wear. Its high vanadium content significantly enhances its hardness, wear resistance, and ability to maintain a sharp edge. Compared to CPM 3V, it offers higher hardness and wear resistance. It is usually used in fine blanking, powder compaction tools, and high-performance knives.
CPM 4V Steel Products Forms And Supply Range
At SteelPRO Group, we offer CPM 4V Steel in various forms, such as bar stock, plate, and round rods, ideal for tough, wear-resistant applications. Whether you need normal sizes or custom dimensions, we are here to work with you and provide tailored solutions for your tooling needs.
Bar Stock
- Diameter: 5 mm to 250 mm (0.20 inch to 9.84 inch)
- Length: 100 mm to 3000 mm (3.94 inch to 118.11 inch)
Plate
- Thickness: 5 mm to 100 mm (0.20 inch to 3.94 inch)
- Width: 100 mm to 2500 mm (3.94 inch to 98.43 inch)
- Length: 200 mm to 6000 mm (7.87 inch to 236.22 inch)
Round Rods
- Diameter: 5 mm to 100 mm (0.20 inch to 3.94 inch)
- Length: 100 mm to 3000 mm (3.94 inch to 118.11 inch)
Tool Blanks
- Thickness: 10 mm to 100 mm (0.39 inch to 3.94 inch)
- Width: 20 mm to 250 mm (0.79 inch to 9.84 inch)
- Length: 50 mm to 500 mm (1.97 inch to 19.69 inch)
CPM 4V Steel Chemical Composition
| Element | Percentage (%) |
| Carbon (C) | 1.35 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 5 |
| Iron (Fe) | 85.65 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.4 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 2.95 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.8 |
| Vanadium (V) | 3.85 |
CPM 4V Steel Physical Properties
| Property | Metric | Imperial |
| Density | 7.70 g/cm³ | 0.278 lb/in³ |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 0.460 J/g·°C | 0.110 BTU/lb·°F |
| Thermal Conductivity | 25 W/m·K | 14.4 BTU·in/hr·ft²·°F |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 5.6 µm/m·°C | 3.1 µin/in·°F |
| Melting Point | 1,375 °C | 2,507 °F |
CPM 4V Steel Mechanical Properties
| Property | Metric Value | Imperial Value |
| Hardness (HRC) | 44-64 HRC | 44-64 HRC |
| Elastic Modulus | 207 GPa | 30 x 10⁶ psi |
| Machinability | 50-60% | 50-60% |
| Elongation | 5-10 % | 5-10 % |
| Reduction of Area | 50 % | 50 % |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.28 | 0.28 |
CPM 4V Steel Heat Treatment
We offer CPM 4V tool steel in an annealed state, allowing for easier further hardening and custom processing. Our CPM 4V steel is prepared for the next phase in your manufacturing process.
Annealing
The steel is heated to 816-845°C (1500-1550°F) and soaked for 2-4 hours. After this, the steel should cool slowly, either in the furnace or in still air, until it reaches below 52°C (125°F).
Hardening
Preheating
First, the steel is heated to 816-845°C (1500-1550°F) to gradually equalize its temperature before moving to higher heat.
Austenitizing
After preheating, the steel is rapidly heated to its austenitizing temperature to achieve toughness and wear resistance.
Here is the recommended temperature:
- For maximum wear resistance: 1149°C (2100°F) for 15 mins.
- For a balance of wear resistance and toughness: 1024-1065°C (1875-1950°F) for 30 mins.
- For maximum toughness: 982°C (1800°F) for 30 mins.
Quenching
After austenitizing, CPM 4V Steel must be quenched to lock in its hardness. You can use air, pressurized gas, warm oil, or salt for quenching.
So, how do you quench CPM 4V steel in different mediums？
- Air Quenching: The steel is cooled by simply being exposed to air. This is the least aggressive method.
- Pressurized Gas: Uses gas at a higher pressure, typically 4 bars (58 psi).
- Oil Quenching: The steel is quenched until it turns black, typically around 482°C (900°F), and then cooled in still air to around 51-66°C (125-150°F).
- Salt Quenching: The salt bath should be maintained at 538-593°C (1000-1100°F), allowing the steel to cool uniformly before being transferred to still air to finish the cooling process.
Tempering
This typical temperature range is 524-593°C (1000-1100°F). It is crucial not to temper below 150°C (300°F), as this can compromise the steel’s toughness.
CPM 4V Steel Applications
Here are some of the most common uses of CPM 4V Steel:
- Cutting Tools: Used for industrial cutting blades, slitting saws, and precision knives.
- Forming Tools: Ideal for punches, dies, and shear blades in sheet metal and stamping operations.
- Molds: Used in plastic injection molds and die-casting molds for high wear resistance.
- Tooling Components: Applied in threading tools, reamers, and milling cutters for precise machining tasks.
CPM 4V vs CPM S35VN
CPM 4V offers superior wear resistance and toughness, making it ideal for heavy-duty applications like fine blanking and high-performance knives. Its vanadium-rich composition ensures excellent edge retention.
CPM S35VN steel, on the other hand, is known for its balanced properties, offering good toughness, wear resistance, and added corrosion resistance. It’s perfect for high-end knives and tools where both edge sharpness and rust resistance are crucial.
Your Custom Solution for CPM 4V Steel and Beyond
SteelPRO Group offers CPM 4V Steel and a wide range of other materials like D2 and H13 Tool steel. From custom sizing to advanced surface treatments and precision grinding, we provide the solutions you need for your toughest projects.
Contact us now to discover how we can help improve your machinery and production processes. With SteelPRO, you get reliability, quality, and expertise, all in one.
