Everything You Need to Know About 5Cr13MoV Steel

is a martensitic stainless steel that belongs to the Chinese GB/T standard series of steels. It is widely used in the production of knives, scissors, surgical instruments, and other cutting tools. The steel is known for its balance of corrosion resistance, toughness, and affordability.

Composition

The typical chemical composition of 5Cr13MoV includes:

• Carbon (C): approximately 0.45–0.55%

• Chromium (Cr): around 12–14%

• Molybdenum (Mo): about 0.2–0.3%

• Vanadium (V): about 0.1%

• Manganese (Mn): ≤1%

• Silicon (Si): ≤1%

• Phosphorus (P) and Sulfur (S): ≤0.04% each

This alloying composition places 5Cr13MoV in the stainless steel category due to its high chromium content, which enhances corrosion resistance.

Properties

5Cr13MoV is considered a low-to-medium carbon stainless steel. The main properties include:

• Corrosion resistance: The chromium content provides good resistance to rust and staining, making it suitable for humid or wet environments.

• Hardness: After heat treatment, it typically achieves a hardness range of 54–56 HRC.

• Toughness: The steel offers decent toughness, reducing the risk of chipping during use.

• Edge retention: The relatively low carbon content means it has moderate edge-holding ability, requiring more frequent sharpening than higher-carbon steels.

• Sharpening: It is relatively easy to sharpen using standard sharpening tools.

Applications

5Cr13MoV is commonly used in:

• Kitchen knives

• Folding knives

• Outdoor and utility knives

• Surgical instruments

• Scissors and other household tools

Its balance of corrosion resistance and ease of maintenance makes it popular for both domestic and industrial applications.

Comparison

5Cr13MoV is often compared to steels such as 420HC and 440A. While it does not achieve the high hardness or edge retention of premium steels like VG-10 or S30V, it remains widely used because of its low cost and reliable performance in general-purpose cutting tools.