Effect of quenching temperature on microstructure and properties of 50CrMnVA spring steel for piano tuning pins

Kangxu Cui

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64486/m.65.1.5
Online publication date: September 9, 2025

Abstract: Spring steel has excellent elasticity, strength, and toughness. 50CrMnVA spring steel is a high-strength spring steel with excellent mechanical properties and process performance, so it is widely used in piano tuning pins. This paper investigates the effect of quenching temperature on the mechanical properties of 50CrMnVA spring steel, including the microstructure, hardness, and tensile properties of the experimental steel after treatment at different quenching temperatures, and clarifies the effect of aging time on the alloy’s microstructure, hardness, strength, elongation, and reduction of area. The results show that the mechanical properties are optimal when the quenching temperature is 860 °C.

Keywords: piano string axle; 50CrMnVA spring steel; microstructure; mechanical properties

This article is published online first and will appear in Metalurgija, Vol. 65, Issue 1 (2026).