Crucible Steel CPM 4V 4.3 x 38 x 914mm

Description

One bar of Crucible Steel CPM 4V measuring 4.3 x 38 x 914 mm.

CPM 4V is a powder tool steel designed as an upgrade for CPM 3V for the blanking and advanced high strength steel applications. Crucible’s primary goal was to design an alloy with high impact toughness and more wear resistance than currently available with CPM 3V. Knife makers have often regarded CPM 3V as a great heavy duty knife material and CPM 4V will be an improvement for those who need more wear resistance. Intended to be used at HRC 62-64. CPM 4V should be used in CPM 3V applications that require more wear resistance.

The typical applications of CPM 4V are powder compaction tooling, fine blanking tools, stamping or forming tools, and advanced high strength steel applications.

Although not technically a stainless steel, the included 5.0% chromium means that it offers excellent corrosion resistance.

Note: CPM 4V steel comes annealed (soft).

Alloy Composition:

Recommended working hardness 58-61HRC

Higher hardness of 62-63HRC may be used in blades requiring fine edge holding where a reduction in toughness is not critical.

To take advantage of CPM 4V’s high chromium content for stain resistance do not use the manufacturer’s recommended high temperature tempering of over 540°C. Use the heat treatment procedure below with lower temperature tempering.

Recommended Heat Treatment

Hardening
Preheat: Heat to 1500-1550°F (816-845°C), equalize.
Austenitize: Following preheat heat material rapidly.
Quench: Air or positive pressure quench (4 bar minimum), or oil quench (black) to about 900°F (482°C), then air
cool to 150°F – 125°F (66°C – 51°C). Salt bath treatment, if practical, will ensure the maximum attainable
toughness for a given hardening treatment. Salt quench at 1000°F-1100°F (538°C-593°C), equalize, then air
cool to 150°F-125°F (66°C-51°C).
Temper: Immediately after quenching, temper three times (two times minimum) at 1000-1100°F (538-593°C).
Hold at temperature for 1 hour per inch of thickness, 2 hours minimum, then air cool. Do not temper below
1000°F (538°C).
Recommended Heat Treatment: For the best combination of toughness and wear resistance, austenitize
(furnace or salt bath) at 1875-1950°F (1024-1065°C), soak 30 minutes, and quench. Temper 3 times at 1000°F
(538°C). For maximum wear resistance austenitize (furnace or salt bath) at 2100°F (1149°C), soak 15 minutes,
and quench. For maximum toughness austenitize (furnace or salt bath) at 1800°F (982°C), soak 30 minutes,
and quench.
Aim hardness: HRC 62-64 higher austenitizing temperatures can be used to obtain higher hardness, at a slight
decrease in impact resistance. The lower austenitizing temperatures provide the best impact toughness.

Annealing
Annealing must be performed after hot working and before rehardening. Heat at a rate no higher than 400°F
(222°C) per hour to 1600-1650°F (871-899°C). Hold at temperature for 1 hour per inch of thickness, 2 hours
minimum. Cool slowly with the furnace at a rate no higher than 50°F (28°C) to 1000°F (649°C), until cooled to
ambient temperature, in the furnace or in air.

Often purchased with: Folding Knife Parts, Pins Fasteners and Quench Plates

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NOTE: Steel over 1 m can’t be sent to a PO Box.