CPM 9V is made by the Crucible Particle Metallurgy process. Its composition is a modification of CPM 10V with lower carbon and vanadium to improve toughness and heat check resistance. These enhanced properties permit CPM 9V to perform well in problem applications where high carbon, high chromium tool steels, such as CPM 10V or the high speed steels, lack sufficient toughness or heat check resistance, or where lower alloy tool steels and hot work tool steels lack sufficient wear resistance.

The CPM process produces very homogeneous, high quality steel characterized by superior dimensional stability, grindability, and toughness compared to steels produced by conventional processes