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Culture Documents
Sep 7 2012
Topics Covered
Introduction
Chemical Composition
Physical Properties
Mechanical Properties
Thermal Properties
Other Designations
Fabrication and Heat Treatment
Machinability
Forming
Welding
Heat Treatment
Forging
Hot Working
Cold Working
Annealing
Tempering
Hardening
Introduction
Alloy steels are designated by AISI four-digit numbers. They comprise different kinds of
steels having composition exceeding the limitations of B, C, Mn, Mo, Ni, Si, Cr, and Va
set for carbon steels.
AISI 4140 alloy steel is chromium, molybdenum, manganese containing low alloy steel.
It has high fatigue strength, abrasion and impact resistance, toughness, and torsional
strength. The following datasheet gives an overview of AISI 4140 alloy steel.
Chemical Composition
The following table shows the chemical composition of AISI 4140 alloy steel.
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Element
Content (%)
Iron, Fe
96.785 - 97.77
Chromium, Cr
0.80 - 1.10
Manganese, Mn
0.75 - 1.0
Carbon, C
0.380 - 0.430
Silicon, Si
0.15 - 0.30
Molybdenum, Mo
0.15 - 0.25
Sulfur, S
0.040
Phosphorous, P
0.035
Physical Properties
The physical properties of AISI 4140 alloy steel are highlighted in the following table.
Properties
Density
Melting point
Metric
Imperial
7.85 g/cm3
0.284 lb/in
1416C
2580F
Mechanical Properties
The following table outlines the mechanical properties of AISI 4140 alloy steel.
Properties
Tensile strength
Yield strength
Bulk modulus (typical for steel)
Shear modulus (typical for steel)
Metric Imperial
655
MPa
415
MPa
140
GPa
210
GPa
Poisson's ratio
Elongation at break (in 50 mm)
60200 psi
20300 ksi
80 GPa11600 ksi
190-
Elastic modulus
95000 psi
0.270.30
2755730458 ksi
0.27-0.30
25.70% 25.70%
Hardness, Brinell
197
197
219
219
92
92
13
13
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207
207
65
65
Thermal Properties
The thermal properties of AISI 4140 alloy steel are given in the following table.
Properties
Metric
Imperial
6.78 in/inF
Other Designations
Other designations equivalent to AISI 4140 alloy steel are listed in the following table.
AMS 6349
AMS 6381
ASTM A513
ASTM A829
AMS 6382
AMS 6390
AMS 6395
AMS 6529
ASTM A711
Forming
AISI 4140 alloy steel has high ductility. It can be formed using conventional techniques
in the annealed condition. It requires more pressure or force for forming because it is
tougher than plain carbon steels.
Welding
AISI 4140 alloy steel can be welded using all conventional techniques. However, the
mechanical properties of this steel will be affected if it is welded in the heat treated
condition, and post weld heat treatment should be performed.
Heat Treatment
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AISI 4140 alloy steel is heated at 845C (1550F) followed by quenching in oil. Before
hardening, it can be normalized by heating at 913C (1675F) for a long period of time
followed by air cooling.
Forging
AISI 4140 alloy steel is forged at 926 to 1205C (1700 to 2200F)
Hot Working
AISI 4140 alloy steel can be hot worked at 816 to 1038C (1500 to 1900F)
Cold Working
AISI 4140 alloy steel can be cold worked using conventional methods in the annealed
condition.
Annealing
AISI 4140 alloy steel is annealed at 872C (1600F) followed by slowly cooling in the
furnace.
Tempering
AISI 4140 alloy steel can be tempered at 205 to 649C (400 to 1200F) depending
upon the desired hardness level. The hardness of the steel can be increased if it has
lower tempering temperature. For example, tensile strength of 225 ksi cab be achieved
by tempering at 316C (600F), and a tensile strength of 130 ksi can be achieved by
tempering at 538C (1000F).
Hardening
AISI 4140 alloy steel can be hardened by cold working, or heating and quenching.
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