21CrMoV5-7 Fired Heater Bolts (API 560 / API 530)

21CrMoV5-7 fired heater bolts are specified into refinery and petrochem fired-heater bolting on convection-section header flanges (350-480 deg C), lower-radiant-section flanges (450-540 deg C) and tube-support anchor bolts cast into the refractory. The Cr-Mo-V Q+T chemistry handles the lower-radiant temperature window where carbon-Mo grades fall short on creep. Upper-radiant section flanges (540-590 deg C) step up to Durehete 1055 (Alloy T41 / 1.7729) or to higher-tier materials. API 560 (Fired Heaters for General Refinery Service) and API 530 (Calculation of Heater Tube Thickness) reference the bolting material requirements through ASTM A193 / ASME SA-193 grades; 21CrMoV5-7 cross-references via A193 Grade B16 with dual-certification on call-out for US-spec heaters.

21CrMoV5-7 Chemistry (Werkstoff 1.7709 Element Ranges)

21CrMoV5-7 (Werkstoff 1.7709) chemistry is fixed within a tight Cr-Mo-V Q+T window to EN 10269. Carbon at 0.17 to 0.25 percent gives the Q+T hardenability backbone without over-hardening for the secondary temper. Chromium at 1.20 to 1.50 percent provides through-thickness hardenability and stabilises the carbide network for creep. Molybdenum at 0.55 to 0.80 percent suppresses temper embrittlement and contributes to the secondary hardening peak. Vanadium at 0.20 to 0.35 percent drives the V4C3 precipitation during the 680 to 740 deg C temper that locks in the creep envelope. The chemistry window is shared with the AFNOR 20CDV5.7 (French) and Polish 21HMF designations.

ElementMin %Max %Role
Carbon (C)0.170.25Q+T hardenability
Silicon (Si)0.40Deoxidation
Manganese (Mn)0.400.80Hardenability + solid-solution
Phosphorus (P)0.030Tramp limit for toughness
Sulphur (S)0.030Tramp limit
Chromium (Cr)1.201.50Hardenability + creep
Molybdenum (Mo)0.550.80Secondary hardening
Vanadium (V)0.200.35V4C3 carbide strengthening
Nickel (Ni)0.60Residual
Aluminium (Al)0.030Grain refinement

21CrMoV5-7 Mechanical Properties

21CrMoV5-7 in the quenched-and-tempered condition holds tensile 700 to 850 MPa, 0.2 percent proof stress at least 550 MPa, elongation A5 at least 16 percent, and Charpy V impact at least 63 J at 20 deg C to EN 10269 acceptance. Typical mill datasheet values run 10 to 20 percent above the standard floor. Elevated-temperature 0.2 percent proof stress holds 450 MPa at 500 deg C and 420 MPa at 550 deg C, the dominant design input for steam-turbine casing flange bolting and pressure-vessel bolting at the upper service envelope.

PropertyValueCondition
Tensile (Rm)700 to 850 MPaRT, Q+T
0.2 percent proof (Rp0.2)≥550 MPaRT, Q+T
Elongation A5≥16 percentRT, longitudinal
Charpy V impact (KV)≥63 J20 deg C, longitudinal
0.2 percent proof at 500 deg C≥450 MPaEN 10269 elevated-temp
0.2 percent proof at 550 deg C≥420 MPaEN 10269 elevated-temp
Hardness (HBW)210 to 250Q+T condition

Creep Performance at 500-550 deg C (EN 10269 Annex A)

The defining value-prop of 21CrMoV5-7 is the secondary-hardening creep envelope driven by V4C3 carbide precipitation. The fine V4C3 dispersion formed during the 680 to 740 deg C temper pins dislocation motion during long-time elevated-temperature service. The result is a 100,000-hour stress-rupture envelope to EN 10269 Annex A of approximately 340 MPa at 500 deg C, 290 MPa at 525 deg C, 260 MPa at 540 deg C, and 180 MPa at 550 deg C. Above 550 deg C the V4C3 coarsens faster than the design can tolerate; this is the boundary where the design must step up to Durehete 1055 (Alloy T41 / 1.7729) with Ti+B microalloying for grain-boundary pinning that extends the envelope to 568 deg C continuous service.

Temperature100,000 h rupture stress1 percent creep strain at 100,000 h
450 deg C~470 MPa~380 MPa
500 deg C~340 MPa~280 MPa
525 deg C~290 MPa~235 MPa
540 deg C~260 MPa~210 MPa
550 deg C~180 MPa~150 MPa

Heat Treatment (Q+T Cycle)

The standard cycle for 21CrMoV5-7 is austenitisation at 880 to 940 deg C with hold time of 1 hour per 25 mm section, followed by oil quench. The temper is at 680 to 740 deg C for minimum 2 hours then air cool. The temper temperature is chosen to land on the secondary-hardening peak; below 660 deg C the V4C3 carbide precipitation is under-developed and long-term creep performance suffers; above 750 deg C the carbides over-coarsen and the room-temperature yield drops below the EN 10269 floor of 550 MPa. For heavily machined fastener blanks where dimensional stability matters, a stress relief at 50 deg C below the final temper is recommended after machining.

Welding Procedure (Matched Cr-Mo-V Filler + PWHT)

21CrMoV5-7 is welded with matched-composition Cr-Mo-V low-hydrogen filler (AWS A5.5 E9018-B3L for SMAW, AWS A5.28 ER90S-B3L for GTAW, AWS A5.23 EB3 for SAW) under preheat 200 to 300 deg C and diffusible-hydrogen cap of 5 ml per 100 g deposited. Post-weld heat treatment at 690 to 720 deg C for 1 hour per 25 mm joint thickness, minimum 2 hours, slow furnace cool to 300 deg C then air cool. The PWHT re-tempers the heat-affected zone and restores creep performance. Hardness traverse across weld plus HAZ plus parent metal verifies the PWHT achieved the intended tempering; HAZ hardness must not exceed 320 HBW.

Material Selection: 21CrMoV5-7 vs ASTM A193 B16 vs B7 vs Durehete 1055

21CrMoV5-7 sits between ASTM A193 Grade B7 (carbon-Mo only, no vanadium, capped at 450 deg C) and Durehete 1055 (Alloy T41 with Ti+B microalloying, 568 deg C envelope). Its direct US cousin is ASTM A193 Grade B16, with overlapping Cr-Mo-V chemistry and similar 540 deg C service envelope. Dual-certification to EN 10269 21CrMoV5-7 plus ASTM A193 B16 from the same heat lot is standard practice on cross-procurement projects.

GradeChemistryMax tempWhen to specify
ASTM A193 B7Cr-Mo (no V)450 deg CLower-temp bolting where cost matters
21CrMoV5-7Cr-Mo-V Q+T550 deg CWorkhorse mid-tier turbine + power + refinery
ASTM A193 B16Cr-Mo-V Q+T540 deg CUS dual-cert cousin
21CrMoV5-11 (1.8070)Cr-Mo-V Q+T higher Mo550 deg CHeavier section (OD above 200 mm)
Durehete 1055 (Alloy T41 / 1.7729)Cr-Mo-V-Ti-B568 deg CHP turbine + supercritical + USC

21CrMoV5-7 Applications by Industry

21CrMoV5-7 covers the bolting envelope from 450 to 550 deg C continuous metal temperature across power generation, refinery and petrochem sectors.

Related 21CrMoV5-7 Forms and Fasteners

21CrMoV5-7 is supplied across the full bolting form-factor range, all to EN 10269 with EN 10204 type 3.1 mill test certificate by default and type 3.2 with third-party witness on call-out.

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TorqBolt supplies 21CrMoV5-7 (Werkstoff 1.7709) bolting stock and finished fasteners worldwide from Mumbai head office and Rajkot production plant. Type 3.1 EN 10204 mill test certificate by default; type 3.2 with Lloyd's Register, DNV, BV, SGS or TUV witness inspection on call-out. Send your enquiry →

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the metal-temperature envelope for 21CrMoV5-7 in fired heater bolting?
Up to 540 deg C continuous metal temperature. Covers convection-section header flanges (350-480 deg C), lower-radiant section flanges (450-540 deg C), and tube-support anchor bolts cast into refractory.

Q. Which OEMs specify 21CrMoV5-7 for this service?
API 560 / API 530 fired-heater designs from refinery EPCs (KBR, Foster Wheeler, Bechtel, Worley, Petrofac, Saipem, Maire Tecnimont). Operating refineries: Shell, BP, ExxonMobil, Reliance, IOCL, BPCL, HPCL specify 21CrMoV5-7 or ASTM A193 B16 dual-cert for convection-section and lower-radiant bolting.

Q. Where does Durehete 1055 take over from 21CrMoV5-7?
On upper-radiant section flanges (540-590 deg C) and superheater tube-support bolts. Durehete 1055 takes over from 540 deg C up to 568 deg C; above 568 deg C the design moves to T22 / T91 / nickel-base alloys.

Q. What inspection documentation is standard?
EN 10204 type 3.1 by default with heat number, melt-shop pour record, chemistry, Q+T cycle, mechanicals at RT and elevated temperature, hardness, dimensional report. Type 3.2 with Lloyd's Register, DNV, BV, SGS or TUV witness on call-out and standard practice on turbine and pressure-vessel procurement.

Q. Do you supply matched-grade nuts and washers from the same heat lot?
Yes. Matched-grade nuts and washers in 21CrMoV5-7 from the same heat lot ship on call-out and are standard practice on every turbine, pressure-vessel, refinery and petrochem procurement. Heat-lot traceability documented on EN 10204 type 3.1 or type 3.2.