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14 CR Mo
14 CR Mo
14 CR Mo
Topics Covered
Introduction
Chemical Composition
Physical Properties
Composition
Density
Mechanical Properties
Machining
Weldability
Heat Treatment
Forging
Stress Relieving
Annealing
Normalizing
Nitriding
Tempering
Flame and Induction Hardening
Hardening
Applications
Introduction
AISI 4140 is a chromium-molybdenum alloy steel. The chromium content provides good
hardness penetration, and the molybdenum content ensures uniform hardness and high
strength. AISI 4140 chrome-molybdenum steel can be oil hardened to a relatively high level
of hardness. The desirable properties of the AISI 4140 include superior toughness, good
ductility and good wear resistance in the quenched and tempered condition.
The AISI 4140 cold finished annealed chromium-molybdenun alloy steel can be heated
using various methods to yield a wide range of properties, hence it is often used as stock
for forging as it has self-scaling properties. AISI 4140 is capable of resisting creep in
temperatures up to 538°C (1000°F) and maintaining its properties even after long exposure
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AISI 4140 Chrome-Molybdenum High Tensile Steel
The AISI 4140 cold rolled rounds are available in the 41L40 variant that contains 0.15-0.35
lead. The lead content improves machinability, but has significant effect on other desirable
properties.
Chemical Composition
AISI 4140 is versatile because of its simple chemistry and has the following composition:
0.40 % carbon and 0.85 % manganese which offers toughness and can be heat
treated and hardened 0.1 % chromium adds to overall toughness but is not enough to
be made into stainless steel
0.25 % molybdenum and small amounts of sulfur, silicon and phosphorous
Element Content
Carbon, C 0.380 - 0.430 %
Chromium, Cr 0.80 - 1.10 %
Iron, Fe 96.785 - 97.77 % (As remainder)
Manganese, Mn 0.75 - 1.0 %
Molybdenum, Mo 0.15 - 0.25 %
Phosphorous, P ≤ 0.035 %
Silicon, Si 0.15 - 0.30 %
Sulfur, S ≤ 0.040 %
Physical Properties
Density
The density of AISI 4140 is 7.7 to 8.03 Mg/m3
Mechanical Properties
Mechanical properties for AISI 4140 in the annealed state:
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AISI 4140 Chrome-Molybdenum High Tensile Steel
Machining
AISI 4140 has good machinability. Operations such as turning, hobbing, drilling, sawing,
broaching, tapping and milling can be easily performed using the recommendations
provided by the machine's manufacturer for ideal tool type-feeds and speeds. AISI 4140
has the following properties:
Weldability
AISI 4140 is difficult to weld, but welding can be performed using any of the common
welding practices. Welding can be done by preheating the section and ensuring that stress
relieving takes place after welding. It is basically recommended that welding of AISI 4140
steel in the hardened and tempered condition should be avoided as it changes the
mechanical properties within the weld heat affected zone. Likewise welding in the nitrided,
flame or induction hardened condition is not recommended. However welding of AISI 4140
chrome-molybdenum steel in the annealed condition is widely preferred. In case welding in
the hardened and tempered condition is required, the workpiece must be cooled instantly
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AISI 4140 Chrome-Molybdenum High Tensile Steel
and the stress is relieved at 15°C below the original tempering temperature.
When welding AISI 4140 steel (in any condition) only low hydrogen electrodes should be
used.
Follwoing welding, the maximum cooling rate that should be employed is 95°C /hr down to
95°C. This should be followed by cooling in still air. The cooling rate can be slowed by
wrapping the work piece in a heat resistant blanket or burying it in sand.
Heat Treatment
There are various heat treatments of the AISI 4140 Chrome-Molybdenum High Tensile
Steel which are:
Forging
Stress relieving
Annealing
Normalizing
Nitriding
Tempering
Flame and induction hardening
Hardening
Forging
Can be heated to 1150°C and maintained until uniform
Minimum forging temperature 850°C
Can be cooled slowly in sand or ash
Stress Relieving
Hardened: Heat to 500°C – 550°C
Annealed: Heat to 600°C – 650°C
Cool in still air
Annealing
Heat to 830°C – 850°C
Furnace cool
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AISI 4140 Chrome-Molybdenum High Tensile Steel
Normalizing
Heat to 870°C – 900°C
Cool in still air
Nitriding
Heat to 500°C – 530°C and hold for sufficient time to develop the depth of case
required
Parts should be pre-hardened and tempered as required and also pre-machined
leaving a small grinding allowance only.
Tempering
Heat to 450°C – 700°C cool in still air
Tempering in the range of 200°C – 420°C causes temper brittleness and should be
avoided
Heat quickly to the required case depth at 860°C – 890°C and soak instantly in water
or oil
Tempering at 150°C – 200°C helps reduce stresses in the case with marginal effect
on its hardness
Hardening
Heat to 830°C – 880°C
Soak in oil or polymer
Applications
AISI 4140 is used extensively in most industry sectors for a wide range of applications such
as:
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AISI 4140 Chrome-Molybdenum High Tensile Steel
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