51CrV4 vs 50CrMo4: Both spring-grade steels — different alloy concepts
51CrV4 vs 50CrMo4
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
51CrV4
1.8159
Chromium-vanadium spring steel. The most important European spring steel grade. Excellent fatigue resistance and high elastic limit after heat treatment. Used for coil springs, leaf springs, torsion bars, anti-roll bars, and high-strength fasteners.
50CrMo4
1.7228
High-carbon Cr-Mo steel for springs and high-strength applications. Higher carbon than 42CrMo4 for greater hardness and spring properties. Used for coil springs, leaf springs, torsion bars, highly stressed bolts, and heavy-duty shafts.
| 51CrV4 | 50CrMo4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.8159 | 1.7228 |
| Category | Alloy Steel | Alloy Steel |
| Standard | EN 10089 | EN 10083-3 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | 51CrV4 | 50CrMo4 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.47–0.55% | 0.46–0.54% | Partial |
| Si | 0–0.4% | 0–0.4% | OK |
| Mn | 0.7–1.1% | 0.5–0.8% | Partial |
| P | 0–0.025% | 0–0.025% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | 51CrV4 | 50CrMo4 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 1100–1300 | 1000–1200 | MPa |
| yield_strength | ≥ 900 | ≥ 780 | MPa |
| elongation | ≥ 9 | ≥ 10 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
51CrV4 adds vanadium for grain refinement and fatigue resistance (the classic spring steel). 50CrMo4 uses molybdenum for hardenability. 51CrV4 is preferred for springs; 50CrMo4 for heavy-duty shafts and bolts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 51CrV4 the same as 50CrMo4?
51CrV4 and 50CrMo4 have a 75% composition overlap. Both spring-grade steels — different alloy concepts
Can I replace 51CrV4 with 50CrMo4?
In many cases, yes. The compositions overlap significantly (75%). However, always verify mechanical property requirements and heat treatment compatibility for your specific application.
What is the difference between 51CrV4 and 50CrMo4?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Mn. 51CrV4 is a Alloy Steel grade, while 50CrMo4 is a Alloy Steel grade.
Related Comparisons
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.