Description and typical use of 32CrMoV12-10
32CrMoV12-10 is one of the more heavily alloyed grades in the EN 10085 nitriding steel range. The chromium, molybdenum and vanadium in the steel form stable alloy nitrides during nitriding, so the surface reaches a hardness that a plain through-hardening steel cannot reach. The quenched and tempered core retains a yield strength of 800 MPa together with good impact toughness.
The main difference between 32CrMoV12-10 and the more common nitriding grade 31CrMoV9 (1.8519) is the molybdenum content. 32CrMoV12-10 contains 0.70 to 1.20 % Mo, roughly four to five times the level found in 31CrMoV9. The higher molybdenum increases hardenability, so heavy forged sections still transform fully when quenched in oil. It also increases temper resistance, so the core does not soften during the long soak at nitriding temperature. For these reasons 32CrMoV12-10 is used for large nitrided forgings and for components that carry high loads at moderately elevated temperature.
The steel is normally ordered in the +QT condition, machined close to final size, and nitrided as the last operation. Nitriding is a diffusion process and does not involve a quench, so distortion is low and close dimensional tolerances are retained. This is one of the reasons 32CrMoV12-10 is used in place of case-hardening steels on precision parts.
Data source
The property data on this page is published by Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd., an open-die forging factory in Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province, China. It reflects the composition and heat-treatment practice used for the 32CrMoV12-10 forgings produced at the factory, and is stated against EN 10085 and EN 10250-2. If your specification, class or section size differs, please confirm the applicable limits with the factory before ordering. Email sales@steelforgepieces.com or call +86 189 2135 9659.
Designations and equivalent grades
32CrMoV12-10 appears under several designations in different standards and producer catalogues. The cross-references in the table are the nearest published equivalents. They are not automatic substitutions, and the applicable specification takes precedence.
| Standard / origin | Designation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EN 10085 (Europe) | 32CrMoV12-10 | Principal designation for the nitriding steel |
| Werkstoffnummer (Germany) | 1.7765 | European material number |
| WL (German aerospace list) | WL 1.7765 | Quenched and tempered tube steel |
| AFNOR (France) | 32CDV12, E32CDV13 | The E prefix denotes the premium remelted variant |
| AMS (USA) | AMS 6481 | Cited as a similar designation; verify before substitution |
| AISI / SAE (USA) | No exact equivalent | No direct AISI counterpart to this 3 % Cr-Mo-V chemistry |
| Producer trade names | Böhler V361, Ovako 398Q, Aubert & Duval ARMAD | Premium or remelted routes with tightened limits |
| Common written variants | 32CrMoV12.10, 32CrMoV1210, 32 CrMoV 12-10 | Same grade, different punctuation in enquiries |
Premium variants such as E32CDV13 are produced by vacuum induction melting followed by vacuum arc remelting (VIM-VAR). They reach higher cleanliness and higher tensile levels than the standard air-melted grade. Please state the melting route in your enquiry if it is a requirement.
Chemical composition of 32CrMoV12-10
Ladle analysis in mass percent, balance iron. This is the range Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal works to for 32CrMoV12-10 forgings. It lies within EN 10085 and applies the tightened phosphorus and sulphur limits normally used for forged product.
| Element | Min % | Max % | Metallurgical role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.29 | 0.36 | Sets core strength after quench and temper |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.10 | 0.40 | Deoxidiser; contributes to temper resistance |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.40 | 0.70 | Hardenability; binds residual sulphur |
| Phosphorus (P) | not specified | 0.015 | Kept low to limit temper embrittlement |
| Sulphur (S) | not specified | 0.005 | Kept low for transverse toughness and cleanliness |
| Chromium (Cr) | 2.80 | 3.30 | Primary nitride former; hardenability |
| Nickel (Ni) | not specified | 0.30 | Residual element |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.70 | 1.20 | Hardenability in heavy sections and temper resistance |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.150 | 0.350 | Grain refinement and fine, stable nitrides in the case |
Carbon equivalent CEV is 1.21 maximum and Pcm is 0.56 maximum. Both values are high, and this is why 32CrMoV12-10 is treated as a difficult-to-weld grade. See the FAQ on weldability.
Mechanical properties in the quenched and tempered condition
Room-temperature properties in the +QT delivery condition. Actual values depend on the ruling section, the tempering temperature and the test position. Heavier sections and higher tempering temperatures give lower strength and higher toughness.
| Property | Symbol | Value | Unit / condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strength | Rp0.2 | 800 min | MPa |
| Tensile strength | Rm | 940 typical | MPa |
| Elongation | A5 | 19 | % |
| Reduction of area | Z | 70 min | % |
| Hardness | HB | 300 typical | Brinell, core |
| Impact energy, longitudinal | KV (ISO-V) | 200 min | J at 20 °C |
| Impact energy, transverse | KV (ISO-V) | 130 min | J at 20 °C |
Premium VIM-VAR variants of this chemistry are published at tensile strengths above 1350 MPa. If your drawing calls for that level, please specify the remelted route in the enquiry. The standard air-melted forging grade will not reach it.
Physical properties and transformation temperatures
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.82 | g/cm³ |
| Modulus of elasticity | 210 | GPa |
| Thermal conductivity (typical) | ≈ 42 | W/(m·K) |
| Specific heat capacity (typical) | ≈ 460 | J/(kg·K) |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion, 20-200 °C (typical) | ≈ 12.5 × 10⁻⁶ | 1/K |
Density and modulus are published values for 1.7765. Conductivity, specific heat and expansion are typical figures for low-alloy Cr-Mo-V steels. Treat them as indicative for design calculations. They are not guaranteed values.
Transformation temperatures
| Point | Temperature | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ac1 | 773 °C | Austenite begins to form on heating |
| Ac3 | 884 °C | Transformation to austenite complete |
| Ms | 357 °C | Martensite starts to form on quenching |
Ac1 at 773 °C is the practical ceiling for tempering and for post-weld heat treatment. Above this temperature the steel begins to re-austenitise and the tempered structure is lost.
Heat treatment of 32CrMoV12-10
The cycles below cover forging through to the final tempered condition. Soak times depend on section thickness. A common working rule for this grade is one hour per 25 mm of ruling section once the whole piece has reached temperature.
| Operation | Condition code | Temperature | Cooling / quenching |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot forging | +AR | 850-1150 °C | Cool in air |
| Normalizing | +N | 900-980 °C | Cool in air |
| Annealing | +A | 650-730 °C | Cool in air |
| Hardening | +QT | 900-940 °C | Quench in oil |
| Tempering | +QT | 570-700 °C | Cool in air |
Practical notes for forgings
- 32CrMoV12-10 has high hot strength, so the opening blows or press strokes should be kept light until the piece has been worked through.
- Forging should stop before the piece falls out of the working range. Finishing below about 850 °C carries a risk of cracking in this chemistry.
- Open-die forging leaves a coarse and uneven grain structure. Normalizing at 900 to 980 °C refines the structure and gives a consistent response to the oil quench that follows.
- Nitriding runs at roughly 500 to 530 °C. Tempering at 570 to 700 °C keeps the core stable through the long nitriding soak, so core hardness does not drift.
- For parts with close tolerances, a stress relief at 30 to 50 °C below the tempering temperature after rough machining is normal practice.
Nitriding response
Nitriding is the treatment 32CrMoV12-10 is designed for. Chromium, molybdenum and vanadium all form fine nitrides that are stable at temperature, so the diffusion zone hardens well beyond the level the carbon content alone would give. The nitrided surface also holds its hardness at temperatures that would temper a conventionally hardened surface.
| Parameter | Typical value | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Gas or plasma (ion) nitriding | Applied after quenching, tempering and finish machining |
| Nitriding temperature | 500-530 °C | Must stay well below the tempering temperature |
| Surface hardness | ≈ 1100 HV0.1 | Reported in published comparative testing of this grade |
| Case depth | ≈ 0.29 mm (typical cycle) | Depth scales with soak time; deeper cases are achievable |
| Core hardness after nitriding | ≈ 300 HB | Unchanged, provided tempering was above the nitriding temperature |
| Distortion | Very low | Diffusion process with no quench, so close tolerances are retained |
Published research comparing 32CrMoV12-10 with 31CrMoV9 after gas nitriding reports a nitrided layer hardness near 1100 HV0.1 and a layer thickness of about 290 µm. The same work reports gas-nitrided surface hardness at roughly 1.5 times the hardness of the quenched condition, with the core structure preserved. Case depth and compound-layer requirements should be confirmed against your own drawing.
Ordering note
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal supplies 32CrMoV12-10 forgings in the +QT condition with a machining allowance, so that nitriding is carried out by your own heat-treatment shop as the final operation. Rough machining to your drawing, and nitriding through qualified partners, can also be arranged. Please state the required case depth, surface hardness and compound-layer condition in the enquiry.
32CrMoV12-10 forged forms we manufacture
All of the forms below are produced by open-die forging or ring rolling from a single heat. The grain flow follows the geometry of the part, whereas in a component machined from bar stock the grain flow is cut through.
- BarsRound, square, flat, rectangular and hexagonal forged bars and rods
- Seamless rolled ringsRing-rolled and forged rings, bearing races, flange rings
- Discs, blocks, platesForged discs, disks, rectangular blocks and forged plate
- Hollow bars & sleevesSleeves, bushes, bushings, cylinders, shells, casings, housings, hubs
- ShaftsGear shafts, pinion shafts, spindles, stepped and flanged shafts
- Near-net shapesContour forged preforms and rough machined blanks to drawing
Forging capability and size range
The ranges below apply to 32CrMoV12-10 (1.7765) at Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal. Pieces outside these ranges are often still possible. Please send the drawing and we will confirm.
| Forged form | Size range | Weight per piece |
|---|---|---|
| Round bar | Ø 80-1200 mm, length to 8000 mm | 20 kg to 20 t |
| Square / flat / rectangular bar | Thickness 60-800 mm, width to 1500 mm | 20 kg to 20 t |
| Seamless rolled ring | OD 300-4000 mm, height to 1000 mm | 50 kg to 15 t |
| Forged disc / block | Ø or width to 2500 mm, thickness to 800 mm | 50 kg to 20 t |
| Sleeve / hollow bar / cylinder | OD 200-2500 mm, ID from 100 mm | 50 kg to 15 t |
| Shaft / spindle | Ø 100-1200 mm, length to 8000 mm | 50 kg to 20 t |
Standard forging tolerances follow EN 10250-2 unless the drawing specifies otherwise. Machining allowance is agreed for each part. Rough machined and finish machined delivery are both available.
Process route
- Melting and ingot supply. Electric arc furnace with ladle refining and vacuum degassing. An ESR route is available on request where cleanliness requirements are demanding.
- Open-die forging or ring rolling, heated to the 850 to 1150 °C working range, with a forging ratio agreed to suit the section.
- Normalizing at 900 to 980 °C to refine the as-forged grain structure.
- Quenching and tempering. Austenitised at 900 to 940 °C, quenched in oil, then tempered at 570 to 700 °C to the specified hardness band.
- Rough machining to drawing, leaving the agreed finishing allowance.
- Testing and certification. Chemical analysis, mechanical testing, ultrasonic and magnetic particle inspection, then EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 documentation.
Applications of 32CrMoV12-10
32CrMoV12-10 is specified where a hard nitrided surface has to sit on a core that is both strong and tough, and where the part has to hold its dimensions through heat treatment.
- Aerospace: bearing races and rollers, shafts, and highly loaded transmission parts running at high speed and moderate temperature.
- Power transmission: nitrided gears, pinion shafts, worm shafts and spindles, where the distortion associated with case hardening would be unacceptable.
- Automotive and motorsport: crankshafts, camshafts, connecting rods and gearbox components in high-performance applications.
- Plastics and extrusion: extruder screws and barrels, injection screws and non-return valves, where surface wear determines service life.
- Hydraulics and heavy machinery: piston rods, cylinder components, and press and forging machine parts.
- Tooling: die-casting inserts, mandrels and forming tools that require hot wear resistance.
- Defence: the grade is documented as a barrel and gas tube steel, and is listed in German aerospace and weapons tube specifications as WL 1.7765.
32CrMoV12-10 compared with related grades
The three grades most often considered alongside 32CrMoV12-10 are 31CrMoV9, 34CrNiMo6 and 42CrMo4. The table below sets out the main differences.
| Criterion | 32CrMoV12-10 (1.7765) |
31CrMoV9 (1.8519) |
34CrNiMo6 (1.6582) |
42CrMo4 (1.7225) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steel class | Nitriding | Nitriding | Quench & temper | Quench & temper |
| Chromium | 2.80-3.30 % | ≈ 2.3-2.7 % | ≈ 1.3-1.7 % | ≈ 0.9-1.2 % |
| Molybdenum | 0.70-1.20 % | ≈ 0.15-0.25 % | ≈ 0.15-0.30 % | ≈ 0.15-0.30 % |
| Nitriding suitability | Excellent | Very good | Limited | Limited |
| Hardenability in heavy sections | Highest of these four grades | Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Temper resistance | Excellent | Good | Moderate | Moderate |
| Typical core Rp0.2 | 800 MPa min | ≈ 700 MPa | ≈ 800 MPa | ≈ 650 MPa |
| Weldability | Poor | Poor | Limited | Limited |
| Relative cost | Highest | High | Medium | Lowest |
| Typically specified when | A heavy nitrided section requires maximum case hardness with a strong, stable core | A nitrided part is moderately sized and cost is a factor | Core strength and toughness are required but the part is not nitrided | General quenched and tempered duty at the lowest cost |
Composition figures for the comparison grades are nominal and are given for orientation only. Please refer to the governing standard for guaranteed limits.
Testing, inspection and certification
Every 32CrMoV12-10 order leaves the factory with documentation traceable to the heat number.
| Test | Method / standard | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical analysis | Spectrometric, ladle and product analysis | Standard |
| Tensile test | ISO 6892-1 / EN 10002 | Standard |
| Impact test | ISO 148-1, ISO-V, at 20 °C or specified temperature | Standard |
| Hardness | Brinell HB, multiple positions | Standard |
| Ultrasonic testing | EN 10228-3 (acceptance class on request) | Standard for critical parts |
| Magnetic particle inspection | EN 10228-1 | On request |
| Grain size and cleanliness | ASTM E112, ASTM E45 / DIN 50602 | On request |
| Dimensional report | Against customer drawing | On request |
| Inspection certificate | EN 10204 3.1 | Standard |
| Third-party witnessed certificate | EN 10204 3.2 (TÜV, SGS, BV, Lloyd's Register) | On request |
How to order 32CrMoV12-10 forgings
Where possible, please send a drawing or a description of the finished part instead of a bar size. For a forged component, quoting against the finished geometry usually produces a lighter and cheaper piece than a cut length of stock.
What to include in your enquiry
- Grade and standard: 32CrMoV12-10 / 1.7765, together with any customer or class specification that applies.
- Forged form and dimensions, or a drawing in PDF, DWG or STEP.
- Delivery condition. +QT is standard. Please state a hardness or strength band if your drawing calls for one.
- Machining state: as forged, rough machined or finish machined.
- Quantity and required delivery date.
- Testing and certification: EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2, ultrasonic acceptance class, and any additional NDT.
- Whether nitriding will be carried out by you or arranged through the factory.
- Destination port and preferred Incoterms.
Contact for 32CrMoV12-10 enquiries
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd., open-die forging factory
No. 1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China
Phone / WhatsApp / WeChat: +86 189 2135 9659
Email: sales@steelforgepieces.com
Web: www.steelforgepieces.com
Quotations for 32CrMoV12-10 are normally returned within one working day of receiving the drawing.
Frequently asked questions about 32CrMoV12-10
What is 32CrMoV12-10 steel?
32CrMoV12-10 is a chromium-molybdenum-vanadium nitriding steel covered by EN 10085, with the European material number 1.7765. It contains about 3 % chromium. The steel is used in the quenched and tempered condition at roughly 300 HB and is then nitrided, which produces a hard, wear-resistant case over a tough, high-strength core. It also appears as 32CDV12 in France and as WL 1.7765 in the German aerospace list.
What is the material number of 32CrMoV12-10?
The Werkstoffnummer of 32CrMoV12-10 is 1.7765. Depending on the source, the same grade is written as 32CDV12, E32CDV13, 32CrMoV12.10, 32CrMoV1210 or WL 1.7765.
What is the chemical composition of 32CrMoV12-10?
32CrMoV12-10 contains 0.29 to 0.36 % C, 0.10 to 0.40 % Si, 0.40 to 0.70 % Mn, max 0.015 % P, max 0.005 % S, 2.80 to 3.30 % Cr, max 0.30 % Ni, 0.70 to 1.20 % Mo and 0.150 to 0.350 % V, balance iron. Carbon equivalent CEV is 1.21 maximum and Pcm is 0.56 maximum.
Is 32CrMoV12-10 a nitriding steel?
Yes. The high chromium content, together with molybdenum and vanadium, forms stable alloy nitrides, so the grade responds well to both gas nitriding and plasma nitriding. Published comparative testing reports a nitrided case hardness of about 1100 HV0.1 at case depths near 0.29 mm, while the quenched and tempered core remains at around 300 HB.
What is the forging temperature of 32CrMoV12-10?
Hot forging is carried out between 850 °C and 1150 °C, followed by air cooling. The steel has high hot strength, so the first blows should be kept light. Forgings are normally normalized at 900 to 980 °C, then hardened from 900 to 940 °C in oil and tempered at 570 to 700 °C.
Is 32CrMoV12-10 weldable?
Not readily. With CEV up to 1.21 and Pcm up to 0.56, the grade is classed as difficult to weld, and welding is normally avoided on load-bearing sections. Where welding cannot be avoided, it requires preheat, a controlled interpass temperature, matching low-hydrogen consumables, and post-weld heat treatment kept below the tempering temperature and well below Ac1, which is 773 °C.
What are the equivalents of 32CrMoV12-10?
The equivalents are W.Nr. 1.7765 and WL 1.7765 in Germany, and 32CDV12 and E32CDV13 in France. AMS 6481 is cited as a similar designation. Producer trade names include Böhler V361, Ovako 398Q and Aubert & Duval ARMAD. There is no exact AISI or SAE counterpart, so cross-references should always be checked against the governing specification before any substitution.
What is the difference between 32CrMoV12-10 and 31CrMoV9?
Both are EN 10085 nitriding steels. 32CrMoV12-10 (1.7765) contains roughly 0.70 to 1.20 % Mo, against about 0.15 to 0.25 % in 31CrMoV9 (1.8519). The higher molybdenum gives greater hardenability in heavy sections, higher core strength and better temper resistance. For this reason 32CrMoV12-10 is preferred for large forgings and for highly loaded nitrided parts.
In which forms can 32CrMoV12-10 forgings be supplied?
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. supplies 32CrMoV12-10 as forged round, square, flat, rectangular and hexagonal bars, as seamless rolled rings and forged rings, as discs, blocks and plates, as sleeves, bushings, hollow bars, cylinders, shells, casings and housings, and as gear shafts, pinion shafts and spindles. Piece weights run from roughly 20 kg to 20 tonnes.
Who supplies 32CrMoV12-10 forgings from China?
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. is an open-die forging factory at No. 1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, China. The factory manufactures 32CrMoV12-10 (1.7765) forgings for export. For enquiries, call +86 189 2135 9659 or email sales@steelforgepieces.com.
What certificates are supplied with 32CrMoV12-10 forgings?
Each consignment carries an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate covering the heat number, chemical analysis, heat-treatment record and mechanical test results. EN 10204 3.2 certification witnessed by a third party such as TÜV, SGS, BV or Lloyd's Register is available on request. Ultrasonic testing to EN 10228-3 and magnetic particle inspection to EN 10228-1 can also be supplied.
What is 32CrMoV12-10 used for?
32CrMoV12-10 is used where a hard nitrided surface has to sit on a tough, high-strength core. Typical applications include aerospace bearing races and shafts, heavily loaded gears and pinion shafts, motorsport and high-performance crankshafts, extruder screws and barrels, hydraulic and press components, die-casting tooling, and barrel and gas tube components in the defence sector.