ChromVanadium

ChromVanadium, often referred to as chrome-vanadium steel and marketed as CR-V, denotes a family of carbon alloy steels used primarily for hand tools and tool components. The alloy achieves its characteristic properties through the addition of chromium and vanadium to a carbon steel base, improving hardness, wear resistance, and toughness.

Typical composition includes carbon in the range of about 0.6 to 0.9 percent, chromium roughly 0.8 to 1.2 percent, and vanadium around 0.2 to 0.5 percent, with manganese and silicon present as incidental elements. The chromium and vanadium contribute carbide-forming elements that enhance hardness and wear resistance, while the carbon content provides strength.

In heat-treated form, chrom-vanadium steel offers a favorable balance of hardness and toughness, making it suitable for repeated use under load. It can be hardened and tempered to achieve a useful combination of strength, wear resistance, and impact resistance. It is not stainless steel, as its chromium content is not sufficient to produce corrosion-resistant behavior without additional alloying.

Manufacturing typically begins with a standard carbon steel substrate, followed by heat treatment procedures such as quenching and tempering to achieve the desired mechanical properties. The resulting material is commonly used in tools that require strength and durability at a reasonable cost.

Applications include a wide range of hand tools, such as wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, chisels, and drill bits. ChromVanadium steel remains popular in mid-range tool sets for its mix of performance and affordability, though higher-end tools may use alternative alloy systems.