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AISI 4140 ChromeMolybdenum High Tensile
Steel
Written by AZoM Jul 5 2012
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 chromiummolybdenum alloy steel. The chromium content provides good
hardness penetration, and the molybdenum content ensures uniform hardness and high
strength. AISI 4140 chromemolybdenum 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 chromiummolybdenun 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 selfscaling properties. AISI 4140 is capable of resisting creep in
temperatures up to 538°C (1000°F) and maintaining its properties even after long
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AISI 4140 Chrome-Molybdenum High Tensile Steel
exposure at comparatively high working temperatures.
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:
Mechanical Properties MetricImperial
Hardness, Brinell 197 197
Hardness, Knoop (Converted from Brinell hardness) 219 219
Hardness, Rockwell B (Converted from Brinell hardness) 92 92
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AISI 4140 Chrome-Molybdenum High Tensile Steel
Hardness, Rockwell C (Converted from Brinell hardness. Value below
13.0 13.0
normal HRC range, for comparison purposes only)
Hardness, Vickers (Converted from Brinell hardness) 207 207
655 95000
Tensile Strength, Ultimate
MPa psi
415 60200
Tensile Strength, Yield
MPa psi
25.7
Elongation at Break (in 50 mm) 25.7 %
%
56.9
Reduction of Area 56.9 %
%
205 29700
Modulus of Elasticity (Typical for steel)
GPa ksi
140 20300
Bulk Modulus
GPa ksi
Poissons Ratio (Calculated) 0.290 0.290
Machinability (Based on AISI 1212 as 100% machinability) 65 % 65 %
80.0 11600
Shear Modulus
GPa ksi
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 typefeeds and speeds. AISI 4140
has the following properties:
Machinability rating at 66% of B1112
Average cutting speed of 110 ft/min.
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 chromemolybdenum steel in the annealed condition is widely preferred. In
case welding in the hardened and tempered condition is required, the workpiece must be
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AISI 4140 Chrome-Molybdenum High Tensile Steel
cooled instantly 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 ChromeMolybdenum 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 prehardened and tempered as required and also premachined
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
Flame and Induction Hardening
All materials consisting of decarburized surfaces should be removed to ensure best
results.
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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