20MnV6, also written 20MV6, is a carbon-manganese steel micro-alloyed with vanadium. Its material number is 1.5217. The steel contains 0.16 to 0.22 % carbon, 1.30 to 1.60 % manganese and 0.08 to 0.15 % vanadium. In the black hot rolled condition the minimum tensile strength is 550 to 620 MPa and the minimum 0.2 % proof strength is 400 to 470 MPa, both depending on wall thickness. Minimum elongation is 18 % and minimum hardness is 180 HB.
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. is an open-die forging factory at No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China. We forge 20MnV6 into round bar, hollow bar, sleeves, bushes and cylinders, seamless rolled rings, forged rings, discs, blocks, plates, gear shafts, pinion shafts and spindles, from 20 kg to 30,000 kg per piece. Every piece carries an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate. For price and lead time write to sales@steelforgepieces.com or call +86 189 2135 9659.
What is 20MnV6 steel?
20MnV6 is a weldable high strength structural steel. Its strength comes from grain refinement rather than from carbon. The vanadium addition of 0.08 to 0.15 % forms fine carbonitrides as the steel cools. These pin the grain boundaries and raise both yield and tensile strength. Carbon stays low at 0.16 to 0.22 %, so the carbon equivalent stays low and the steel welds much like a mild steel.
Silicon and calcium treatment, together with a controlled sulphur range of 0.02 to 0.04 %, give good machinability at this strength level. The free machining version with controlled sulphur is designated 20MnVS6 and carries the same material number, 1.5217.
Most buyers specify 20MnV6 for three reasons. It welds readily. It machines well. And the low carbon content allows surface hardening by carburising, carbonitriding, nitriding or induction hardening while the core stays tough. The grade is used heavily as hollow bar for bushes, cylinders, conveyor rolls and hollow shafts, where a bored blank saves machining time and material weight over solid bar.
Chemical composition of 20MnV6 (1.5217)
| Element | Minimum % | Maximum % |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.16 | 0.22 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.10 | 0.35 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.30 | 1.60 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.08 | 0.15 |
| Phosphorus (P) | – | 0.03 |
| Sulphur (S) | 0.02 | 0.04 |
Balance iron. Values are ladle analysis. Product analysis tolerances apply per the governing standard. Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. reports the actual heat analysis for every 20MnV6 forging on the EN 10204 3.1 certificate.
Mechanical properties of 20MnV6
As supplied, black hot rolled condition
| Wall thickness | Tensile strength Rm, min. | 0.2 % proof strength Rp0.2, min. |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 16 mm | 620 MPa | 470 MPa |
| ≤ 25 mm | 610 MPa | 460 MPa |
| ≤ 30 mm | 550 MPa | 430 MPa |
| ≤ 40 mm | 550 MPa | 420 MPa |
| ≤ 50 mm | 550 MPa | 410 MPa |
| ≤ 70 mm | 550 MPa | 400 MPa |
| Elongation A5 (5.65√S0) | 18 % minimum | |
| Hardness | 180 HB minimum | |
Typical values, as opposed to specified minima, fall in the range 600 to 790 MPa tensile and 440 to 570 MPa yield in this condition.
Quenched and tempered (+QT)
Through hardening raises tensile and yield strength by a moderate amount, and the gain falls away as section thickness increases. A common route is a water quench from 925 °C followed by tempering at 580 °C.
| Property | Typical minimum |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength Rm | 650 MPa |
| 0.2 % proof strength Rp0.2 | 570 MPa |
| Elongation A5 | 16 % |
What a forging will actually meet depends on section size, quench medium and tempering temperature. Send us the governing specification and the ruling section and we will confirm the achievable properties before you place the order.
20MnV6 equivalent grades and standards
| Standard or country | Designation | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| Germany, material number | 1.5217 | Same grade |
| Germany, DIN | 20MnV6, 20MV6 | Same grade, alternative spellings |
| EN 10294-1 hollow bar | 20MnV6+N | Same grade, normalised condition |
| Free machining variant | 20MnVS6 | Same base chemistry, controlled sulphur |
| Seamless tube designation | E470 | Same steel, tube nomenclature |
| United Kingdom, BS 4360 | Grade 55 | Nearest equivalent |
| United States, UNS | K01907, K12202 | Nearest equivalent |
| China, GB | 20MnV | Nearest equivalent |
Cross-references are for guidance only. Nearest equivalents differ in permitted residuals, testing regime and delivery condition. State the governing standard, the delivery condition and any test requirement on the purchase order instead of relying on a substitution table.
20MnV6 forged products we manufacture
Every item below is open-die forged to order from a single certified heat. The sizes given are our normal working envelope. Larger or non-standard geometry is quoted against your drawing.
- Forged round bar, square, flat and hex bar Ø 80 to 1,200 mm, lengths to 12,000 mm. Rough turned, peeled or black as required.
- Forged hollow bar, sleeves, bushes, cylinders, casings, shells, hubs and housings OD 150 to 2,000 mm, bore from 60 mm, lengths to 6,000 mm. Trepanned or mandrel forged.
- Seamless rolled rings OD 200 to 4,000 mm, height to 1,200 mm, wall from 40 mm. Radial and axial ring rolled.
- Open-die forged rings OD to 3,000 mm, including rectangular, stepped and profiled sections.
- Forged discs, blocks and plates Ø 200 to 2,500 mm, thickness 50 to 800 mm. Blocks to 4,000 mm long.
- Forged gear shafts, pinion shafts and spindles Ø 100 to 1,000 mm, lengths to 8,000 mm, stepped and flanged geometries.
Single-piece weight runs from 20 kg to 30,000 kg. Forgings leave the factory as forged, normalised, or quenched and tempered. We can also rough machine, finish machine, or leave test prolongations attached.
Heat treatment of 20MnV6
| Route | Temperature | Cooling | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normalising | 880 to 920 °C | Still air | Uniform fine grain after forging |
| Hardening and tempering | Quench from 925 °C, temper 580 °C | Water quench | Higher core strength, section dependent |
| Carburising | 870 to 925 °C, temper 150 to 200 °C | Oil or water quench | Case to about 48 HRC |
| Carbonitriding | 870 to 880 °C, temper 150 to 200 °C | Oil or water quench | Case to about 60 HRC |
| Nitriding | 490 to 530 °C | Slow cool, no quench | Case to about 55 HRC, minimal distortion |
| Induction hardening | High or medium frequency | As process | Selective hardening of journals and tracks |
Machine the black hot rolled surface far enough to remove the decarburised layer before any case hardening. If that layer is left in place the case hardness will come out uneven. Nitriding needs no quench, so it is the usual choice where distortion on a long or thin walled part would be a problem. The vanadium content is what makes 20MnV6 respond well to nitriding.
Machining and welding 20MnV6
Machinability
20MnV6 machines well for its strength level because of the silicon and calcium treatment and the narrow sulphur range. Moving from solid bar to hollow bar removes most of the boring work. Where machining volume drives the cost, specify the controlled sulphur variant 20MnVS6.
Weldability
The grade welds by manual and automatic methods with standard basic consumables. Thin sections normally need no preheat. Use preheat and post weld stress relief on wall thicknesses above about 30 mm, on heavily restrained joints, and where the part will run at low temperature. Confirm the procedure with your welding engineer. Forgings supplied normalised give the most consistent structure to weld into.
Where 20MnV6 forgings are used
20MnV6 is specified across general engineering where a part needs mild steel weldability at much higher strength, and above all where a hollow section removes machining work.
- Hydraulic and pneumatic: cylinder tubes, cylinder bodies, glands, stuffing boxes, piston rods.
- Materials handling: conveyor rolls, hollow rolls, idler shells, bushes and pins.
- Power transmission: hollow shafts, gear blanks, pinion shafts, spindles, axles, couplings.
- Oil, gas and drilling: drill jigs, subs, stabiliser bodies, casing components.
- Automotive and agricultural machinery: nuts, tubular parts, spacers, load bearing bushings.
- Construction and mining equipment: rings, sleeves, cylinders, wear bushes, pivot pins.
Forging and inspection at Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. is an open-die forging factory at No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China. Jiangyin sits in the Yangtze River Delta about two hours from the port of Shanghai, which keeps export freight times short. The factory forges carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel and nickel alloys. 20MnV6 is a routine production grade here, not a special order.
Process control
- Hydraulic open-die presses with manipulators, plus radial and axial ring rolling.
- Forging ratio and reduction recorded per piece, so grain flow follows the part contour.
- In-house heat treatment: normalising, quenching, tempering and stress relief, with charted furnace records.
- Rough and finish machining, so forgings can ship ready to fit.
Testing and documentation
- Chemical analysis by spectrometer on every heat.
- Tensile, yield, elongation, reduction of area, Charpy impact and Brinell hardness testing.
- Ultrasonic testing to EN 10228-3, magnetic particle and dye penetrant inspection.
- Grain size, macro and micro structure examination on request.
- EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate as standard. EN 10204 3.2 witnessed by TUV, SGS, BV or Lloyd's Register on request.
How to order 20MnV6 forgings
Send a drawing if you have one. If you do not, five lines are enough for a firm quotation:
- Shape and dimensions. For example, rolled ring OD 900 × ID 700 × 250 mm high.
- Grade and standard. 20MnV6 / 1.5217, and the standard you are buying to.
- Delivery condition. As forged, normalised, or quenched and tempered.
- Machining allowance. Black, rough turned to size, or finish machined.
- Testing and certification. EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2, UT class, impact test temperature.
Quotations normally go back within 24 hours on working days. The minimum order is one piece, so prototypes and single replacement parts are welcome.
Frequently asked questions about 20MnV6
What is the material number for 20MnV6?
The material number normally quoted for 20MnV6 is 1.5217. The grade is also written 20MV6. The controlled sulphur free machining version is designated 20MnVS6 and carries the same material number. In EN 10294-1 the normalised hollow bar grade appears as 20MnV6+N, and seamless tube standards may use the designation E470.
What is the tensile strength of 20MnV6?
In the black hot rolled condition, minimum tensile strength is 620 MPa up to 16 mm wall thickness, 610 MPa up to 25 mm and 550 MPa above 25 mm. Minimum 0.2 % proof strength falls from 470 MPa at 16 mm to 400 MPa at 70 mm. Minimum elongation is 18 % and minimum hardness 180 HB. Quenched and tempered, typical minimum values rise to about 650 MPa tensile and 570 MPa yield.
Can 20MnV6 be welded?
Yes. Low carbon keeps the carbon equivalent low, so 20MnV6 welds with standard basic consumables and usually needs no preheat in thin sections. Use preheat and post weld stress relief on heavy walls and restrained joints. Ordering the forging in the normalised condition gives the most uniform structure to weld into.
Can 20MnV6 be case hardened or nitrided?
Yes, and this is one of the main reasons the grade is chosen. Carburising gives a case to about 48 HRC, carbonitriding to about 60 HRC, and nitriding at 490 to 530 °C to about 55 HRC with very little distortion, since no quench is involved. The steel also responds to high and medium frequency induction hardening. Machine away the decarburised surface layer first.
What sizes of 20MnV6 forgings can you supply?
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. forges 20MnV6 round bar from 80 to 1,200 mm diameter, hollow bar and sleeves from 150 to 2,000 mm outside diameter, seamless rolled rings from 200 to 4,000 mm outside diameter, discs and blocks from 200 to 2,500 mm diameter, and shafts up to 8,000 mm long. Single-piece weight runs from 20 kg to 30,000 kg. Non-standard geometry is forged to drawing.
Do you provide EN 10204 3.1 certificates?
Yes, as standard. Each 20MnV6 forging ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate showing the heat number, ladle analysis, heat treatment record and mechanical test results. EN 10204 3.2 certificates witnessed by TUV, SGS, BV or Lloyd's Register are available on request, along with ultrasonic testing to EN 10228-3, magnetic particle inspection and grain size reports.
What is the minimum order quantity and lead time?
One piece. Typical lead time is 15 to 25 days for stock-size bar and ring blanks and 30 to 45 days for large or fully machined forgings, counted from drawing approval. Email the drawing, grade, quantity, delivery condition and test requirements to sales@steelforgepieces.com and we will normally quote within 24 hours.
Is 20MnV6 the same as 20MnVS6, E470 or BS 4360 Grade 55?
They are related, but not interchangeable without checking. 20MnVS6 is the controlled sulphur free machining version of the same base chemistry and shares material number 1.5217. E470 is a tube designation for the same steel in seamless hollow section. BS 4360 Grade 55, UNS K01907 and UNS K12202 are nearest equivalents only. State the governing standard on the order.
Why forge 20MnV6 instead of machining it from solid bar?
Forging close to the finished shape removes most of the metal that would otherwise be turned or bored away, which cuts both machining hours and raw material weight. It also aligns the grain flow with the part contour, which improves fatigue strength. That is why 20MnV6 hollow bar became the default for bushes, cylinders, conveyor rolls, hollow shafts, nuts and rings.
Datasheet reference
The data on this page is published by the manufacturer. To reference it in a specification, a drawing note or a report, use the following.
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. (2026).
"20MnV6 (1.5217) Open-Die Forgings: Composition, Mechanical Properties
and Forged Product Forms." Jiangyin, Jiangsu, China.
https://www.steelforgepieces.com/Alloy-Steel/20MnV6.html
Manufacturer contact: sales@steelforgepieces.com | +86 189 2135 9659
Factory: No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City,
Jiangsu Province, China
Last reviewed by the works metallurgy team on .
Other forged grades we supply
If 20MnV6 is not the right fit, these are the grades customers most often compare it against. Each page carries the same chemistry, property and size data.
Quenched and tempered alloy steels
Chosen over 20MnV6 when core strength matters more than weldability.
- 42CrMo4 forgings, 1.7225, AISI 4140, AISI 4140H, SCM440, 42CrMoS4, 42CrMo4V, 42CD4, 708M40, 1.7227, 35KHM
- 34CrMo4, AISI 4130, 1.7220, 34CrMoS4, SCM430, SCM435, AISI 4135, AISI 4145, AISI 4145H, AISI 8630
Case hardening steels
The closest alternatives when the part will be carburised, as 20MnV6 often is.
- 18CrNiMo7-6, 17CrNiMo6, 1.6587, AISI 4317, AISI 4820, 18NCD6, 820M17, 822M17, 17NiCrMo6-4, 17NiCrMoS6-4, 18NiCrMo5, 1.6566, 1.6523, 1.6569, 815M70
High strength nickel chromium molybdenum steels
For heavy sections where 20MnV6 cannot reach the required core strength.
- 34CrNiMo6, 1.6582, AISI 4340, 1.6565, 34CrNiMo6V, 40NCD7, 40NiCrMo6, 40NiCrMo7, 817M40, AISI 4337, SNCM439, 30NiCrMo8, 1.6580, 30CND8, 823M30, 35NCD6
Request a quotation for 20MnV6 forgings
Send your drawing or dimensions and we will come back with price, weight and lead time, normally within 24 hours. One piece is enough to place an order.
- Manufacturer
- Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd.
- Factory address
- No.1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town,
Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China - Telephone and WhatsApp
- +86 189 2135 9659