7Cr17MoV is a practical, high-carbon martensitic stainless grade frequently used for affordable cutlery, kitchen knives and general-purpose tooling; it balances good corrosion resistance with ease of heat-treating and sharpening, and—when supplied and heat-treated properly—delivers dependable edge life for everyday applications. MWAlloys supplies 7Cr17MoV in bars, blanks and sheet with 100% factory pricing and fast stock delivery from China for global buyers.
What is 7Cr17MoV steel
7Cr17MoV is a Chinese, martensitic, high-carbon stainless steel used predominantly for blades and wear-resistant parts. In industrial terminology it is often presented as a variation of the 7Cr17 family with small additions of molybdenum (Mo) and sometimes vanadium (V) to improve hardenability, corrosion resistance and carbide behavior. Many mills and toolmakers treat it as roughly equivalent to AISI/EN 440A in composition and performance range, although naming and exact analysis vary between suppliers.
Recommended uses
Best suited for cost-sensitive blades, kitchen knives, small utility knives, scissors and other formed cutting tools where a balance of corrosion resistance, edge retention and economical cost are needed. It is not a premium powder metallurgy (PM) tool steel but performs reliably when heat treated correctly.
Chemical composition (typical / industry ranges)
Note: different suppliers publish slightly different limits. The table below shows the commonly quoted composition ranges used by knife-steel sellers and Chinese bar mills; use certified mill test reports for purchase orders.
| Element | Typical range (wt%) — 7Cr17MoV (industry consensus) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.60 – 0.80 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 16.0 – 18.0 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.30 – 1.20 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.05 – 0.30 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 1.00 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.00 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.04 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.03 |
| Nickel (Ni) | trace – 0.60 |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
Explanation: Carbon and chromium are the primary contributors to hardness and corrosion resistance respectively. Molybdenum increases hardenability and pitting resistance; vanadium helps refine carbides and improve wear resistance (even modest V levels change carbide dispersion). These ranges reflect how Chinese 7Cr17-type steels are typically formulated.
Mechanical & physical properties
Below are typical property ranges for 7Cr17MoV material after hardening and tempering to common blade hardness values.
| Property | Typical value / range |
|---|---|
| Hardness (HRC, blade condition) | HRC 53 – 59 (commonly 56±2 for many knife suppliers) |
| Ultimate tensile strength (Rm) | ~800 – 1,500 MPa (depends on heat treat & tempering) |
| Yield strength (0.2% offset) | ~600 – 1,200 MPa (highly heat-treat dependent) |
| Elongation (A) | 8 – 16% (annealed vs hardened will differ) |
| Density | ~7.7 – 7.8 g/cm³ |
| Modulus of elasticity | ~200 GPa |
| Corrosion resistance | Moderate to good for martensitic stainless steels; better than simple carbon steels but below austenitic grades (304/316) |
Notes: The tensile and yield numbers above are approximate and depend heavily on precise chemistry, section size and the heat treatment recipe (a thicker bar needs different quench/harden parameters). For final design values always request a certified test report.
Heat-treatment guidance & typical hardness
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Annealing (mill/stock condition): Heat to 800–860°C, furnace cool; stress relieve and deliver as soft (for machining/forming).
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Hardening: Typical austenitizing is in the 1000–1040°C range followed by oil or controlled water quench depending on cross-section. Exact austenitizing temperature should be supplier-confirmed.
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Tempering: To achieve the blade hardness common in the market (HRC 54–58), tempering is usually performed between ~150–220°C (lower temp for higher hardness); tempering at higher temperatures will lower hardness and improve toughness.
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Typical retail knife hardness: Many consumer knives stamped/spec’d at HRC56±2 (this is common with factory heat treatments for kitchen sets).
Practical note for manufacturers: Tight process control is essential — the same nominal chemistry will give different performance depending on austenitizing time, quench severity and temper schedule. MWAlloys performs incoming chemistry verification and offers recommended HT parameters on supply.
Specifications & product forms (table)
MWAlloys supplies 7Cr17MoV in standard industrial forms. Below are typical product specifications we can supply from stock or by order.
| Form | Typical sizes (examples) | Typical tolerances / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cold-rolled coil / strip | 0.3 mm – 3.0 mm thickness ; widths to 1250 mm | ±0.02–0.1 mm depending on thickness |
| Hot-rolled plate | 1.5 mm – 35 mm | Standard plate tolerances; cut to length available |
| Bars / billets | Ø 3 mm – Ø 120 mm (round); flats & square to order | Straightness & concentricity per order |
| Ground blanks / knife blanks | Customer lengths, pre-grind options (full-tang or partial) | Hardness after HT per spec |
| Heat-treated finished blades | HRC per buyer spec (we can supply HRC check reports) | Custom surface finish, coating (PVD, Teflon) available |
Standards: The grade naming (7Cr17, 7Cr17MoV) is common in Chinese trade and typically mapped to 440A (EN/AISI) for cross-reference; there is not a single universal GB standard designation called exactly “7Cr17MoV” in older GB/T tables, so buyer POs should reference chemical limits and accepted test certificates explicitly.
Manufacturing considerations & metallurgical remarks
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Carbide distribution: The carbon + chromium form chromium carbides; vanadium forms fine vanadium carbides that refine the microstructure and help edge retention. However, V in small amounts (0.05–0.30%) acts primarily as a grain refiner rather than producing heavy VC networks.
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Hardenability: Molybdenum improves hardenability in thicker sections — that’s why adding Mo (the “Mo” in 7Cr17MoV) helps achieve uniform hardness in larger knives or parts.
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Corrosion behavior: Polishing and surface finish influence corrosion resistance significantly. Even within martensitic grades, a smooth, well-polished surface will resist staining better.
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Machinability / grinding: 7Cr17MoV machines reasonably (compared with higher-carbon 440C or PM steels) and grinds well in cold/hard conditions with appropriate abrasives and coolant. Because many commercial supplies are optimized for knife production, vendors commonly supply pre-ground blanks.
How 7Cr17MoV compares to nearby grades
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7Cr17MoV vs 440A (AISI / EN): Very similar in composition and performance when molybdenum content is low–moderate; many references treat 7Cr17MoV as a Chinese equivalent to 440A.
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7Cr17MoV vs 440C: 440C has higher carbon and can achieve higher maximum hardness and better edge retention, but is more challenging to machine and may be more expensive. 7Cr17MoV is more economical with adequate performance for many applications.
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7Cr17MoV vs 8Cr13MoV / 9Cr18MoV (other Chinese grades): Differences are subtle: carbon and chromium levels shift, giving slightly different hardness vs corrosion trade-offs. 7Cr17MoV tends to emphasize corrosion resistance with moderate hardness.
2025 Price comparison (USA / Europe / China)
Important caveat: Steel prices move with base metal markets and regional surcharges. The figures below are median market snapshots (2025) and are approximations intended for commercial planning. Always request a current quotation from MWAlloys for firm pricing.
| Region | 2025 indicative raw stainless price (USD/kg) | Typical comments / source |
|---|---|---|
| China (domestic supplier / 7Cr17 / 440A plate) | USD 1.10 – 2.50 / kg (USD 1,100 – 2,500 / tonne) — Chinese coil/plate listings and exporters. | Lower mill/stock base prices; shipping & taxes apply. |
| Europe (finished cold-rolled stainless average) | USD 2.90 – 3.50 / kg (region averages for stainless coil/plate) — MEPS / market trackers. | Higher ex-works and thicker regulatory / delivery costs. |
| United States (stainless coil/CRC averages) | USD 3.00 – 3.60 / kg (market index ranges) — industry indices & spot data. | Includes local mill premiums and domestic supply dynamics. |
Retail / finished product example (for context):
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Consumer kitchen or EDC knives made from 7Cr17MoV often retail from ~USD 20 – 120 depending on brand, finish and handle materials (not raw steel). Many mass market pocket knives using 7Cr17MoV are priced under USD 100.
How MWAlloys helps: because MWAlloys is a direct Chinese mill channel, our factory price (EXW China) eliminates intermediaries, which typically makes the raw 7Cr17MoV input cost materially lower for OEM customers compared with European or US mill sourcing. Contact us for live quotes based on volume, form (coil, plate, bars, blanks) and finishing.
Typical applications & buyer checklist
Applications:
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Kitchen knives and chef sets
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Pocket and utility knives (EDC)
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Scissors and shears for general purpose use
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Low / medium wear tooling where corrosion resistance is desirable
Buyer checklist before ordering:
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Confirm exact chemical specification and acceptable tolerances (C, Cr, Mo, V).
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Specify product form (coil, strip, bar, pre-ground blanks) and surface finish.
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Specify heat-treatment and target HRC with temper schedule or request MWAlloys’ recommended recipe.
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Request mill test certificate (MTC) and hardness report for each lot.
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Agree on inspection method (e.g., microstructure, inclusion rating, hardness testing points).
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Confirm packaging & export documents required for your market.
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If you need traceable brand certificates (e.g., for OEM or retail labels), notify at RFQ stage.
MWAlloys can support each of the above steps and provides sample cutting tests on request.
MWAlloys commercial offering
MWAlloys (China) — capabilities tailored for cutlery and tooling buyers:
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Products: 7Cr17MoV in coil/strip, ground bar, pre-cut blanks, finished blades.
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Price model: 100% factory price (EXW China), no middleman margins.
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Stock & lead time: Many common sizes stocked; small MOQs for standard coil/strip; bulk orders delivered in standard export packaging within typical mill lead times — MWAlloys offers fast dispatch for stocked SKUs.
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Quality control: Incoming chemical verification, hardness test, MTC with each shipment, optional third-party inspection.
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Customization: Pre-grind, edge geometry, pre-heat treat / post-heat-treat supply available.
Contact MWAlloys sales team for firm quotes, sample policy and lead time confirmation.
FAQs
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Is 7Cr17MoV the same as 440A or 440C?
It is most commonly considered equivalent to 440A in nominal composition. It is not the same as 440C (which has significantly higher carbon). Confirm mill certificates for exact composition. -
What hardness can I expect from 7Cr17MoV?
Typical blade hardness is HRC 53–59, with many factory parts specified at HRC56±2 depending on quench and temper. -
Does vanadium in 7Cr17MoV make it a premium steel?
Small V improves carbide refinement and wear behavior, but the grade remains in the economical martensitic class — not a PM or high-alloy premium steel. -
Is it easy to sharpen?
Yes. sharpening is comparatively straightforward versus very hard PM steels; the steel balances edge retention with ease of sharpening. -
Can MWAlloys provide pre-ground blanks and finished blades?
Yes, MWAlloys can deliver pre-grind blanks, heat-treated blades and finished parts to customer specifications. Contact sales for MOQ and lead time. -
What corrosion resistance should I expect?
Moderate to good for martensitic stainless steels when compared to carbon steels; superior surface finish and polishing improve performance. For marine or highly corrosive environments consider higher-alloy austenitic grades. -
What testing & certificates are supplied?
Mill test certificate (chemical & mechanical), hardness report and optional third-party inspection/IMR can be provided. -
Are there export restrictions or special packaging?
Standard export packaging is available. MWAlloys provides packing suitable for sea freight and documentation for customs. Confirm destination country import rules. -
How stable is pricing?
Steel pricing is volatile; region indices vary with nickel, moly and scrap markets. MWAlloys issues firm quotes with a validity window — contact us for current pricing. -
Do you offer sample pieces before a full order?
Yes. MWAlloys provides samples (either raw bar/strip samples or pre-ground blanks) subject to sample policy and freight. Contact sales for sample charges and lead time.
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