Marty,
Geek time. I did some digging into “CMV” steels after reading your Stubai pitons page.
CM or CrMo is Chrome-Molybdenum steel. The name given by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) usually follows the pattern 4XXX. Common examples are SAE 4140 and 4150 steels Chrome Molybdenum steel consists of carbon, chromium (Cr), and molybdenum (Mo). Molybdenum enhances the steel’s strength, especially at elevated temperatures, while chromium provides excellent resistance to corrosion and oxidation. The Molybdenum also improves impact resistance – something that makes a lot of sense for pitons!
CV or CrV is Chrome vanadium steel. SAE 6150 is a common example. The SAE name usually follows the pattern 6XXX. Chrome Vanadium steel includes carbon, chromium (Cr), and vanadium (V). Chromium improves hardenability, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance, while vanadium increases tensile strength, toughness, and grain uniformity. Vanadium has the advantage of forming an oxide layer on the surface of the material, making Vanadium steel more rust-resistant than regular steel.
CMV is basically 4150 steel with the addition of vanadium. Combines the best of both elements. A very common use is for AR-15 gun barrels.
CVM and CMV both mean steel with Chromium, Molybdenum, and Vanadium added. I’m not sure, but CMV might have more Molybdenum than Vanadium and CVM the other way around. Don’t quote me on this!
I use both 4140 and 6150 to make things in my home workshop, so I probably find this more interesting than most people would.
Enjoy your day!
Geek time. I did some digging into “CMV” steels after reading your Stubai pitons page.
CM or CrMo is Chrome-Molybdenum steel. The name given by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) usually follows the pattern 4XXX. Common examples are SAE 4140 and 4150 steels Chrome Molybdenum steel consists of carbon, chromium (Cr), and molybdenum (Mo). Molybdenum enhances the steel’s strength, especially at elevated temperatures, while chromium provides excellent resistance to corrosion and oxidation. The Molybdenum also improves impact resistance – something that makes a lot of sense for pitons!
CV or CrV is Chrome vanadium steel. SAE 6150 is a common example. The SAE name usually follows the pattern 6XXX. Chrome Vanadium steel includes carbon, chromium (Cr), and vanadium (V). Chromium improves hardenability, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance, while vanadium increases tensile strength, toughness, and grain uniformity. Vanadium has the advantage of forming an oxide layer on the surface of the material, making Vanadium steel more rust-resistant than regular steel.
CMV is basically 4150 steel with the addition of vanadium. Combines the best of both elements. A very common use is for AR-15 gun barrels.
CVM and CMV both mean steel with Chromium, Molybdenum, and Vanadium added. I’m not sure, but CMV might have more Molybdenum than Vanadium and CVM the other way around. Don’t quote me on this!
I use both 4140 and 6150 to make things in my home workshop, so I probably find this more interesting than most people would.
Enjoy your day!
