Aisi 4340 Alloy Steel (Uns g43400)
Aisi 4340 Alloy Steel (Uns g43400)
Aisi 4340 Alloy Steel (Uns g43400)
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
Cold Working
Annealing
Tempering
Hardening
Applications
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 4340 alloy steel is a heat treatable and low alloy steel containing chromium, nickel
and molybdenum. It has high toughness and strength in the heat treated condition.
Chemical Composition
The following table shows the chemical composition of AISI 4340 alloy steel.
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Element
Content (%)
Iron, Fe
95.195 - 96.33
Nickel, Ni
1.65 - 2.00
Chromium, Cr
0.700 - 0.900
Manganese, Mn
0.600 - 0.800
Carbon, C
0.370 - 0.430
Molybdenum, Mo
0.200 - 0.300
Silicon, Si
0.150 - 0.300
Sulfur, S
0.0400
Phosphorous, P
0.0350
Physical Properties
The physical properties of AISI 4340 alloy steel are given in the following table.
Properties
Density
Melting point
Metric
Imperial
7.85 g/cm3
0.284 lb/in
1427C
2600F
Mechanical Properties
The mechanical properties of annealed AISI 4340 alloy steel are displayed in the
following table.
Properties
Tensile strength
Yield strength
Bulk modulus (typical for steel)
Shear modulus (typical for steel)
Metric Imperial
745
108000
MPa
psi
470
MPa
140
GPa
210
GPa
Poisson's ratio
20300 ksi
80 GPa11600 ksi
190-
Elastic modulus
68200 psi
0.270.30
2755730458 ksi
0.27-0.30
Elongation at break
22%
22%
Reduction of area
50%
50%
Hardness, Brinell
217
217
240
240
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95
95
17
17
228
228
50
50
Thermal Properties
The following table outlines the thermal properties of AISI 4340 alloy steel.
Properties
Metric
Imperial
12.3
m/mC
6.83 in/inF
44.5
309 BTU
W/mK
in/hr.ft.F
Other Designations
Other designations that are equivalent to AISI 4340 alloy steel include the following:
AMS
AMS 6454
6359
AMS
6409
AMS
6414
AMS
ASTM A322
6415
(4340)
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ASTM A711
ASTM A752
(4340)
ASTM A829
SAE J1397
(4340)
SAE J404 (4340)
SAE J412 (4340)
MIL S-5000
Forming
AISI 4340 alloy steel has good ductility and formability in the annealed condition. It can
be bent or formed by pressing or spinning in the annealed state.
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Welding
AISI 4340 alloy steel can be welded using fusion or resistance welding methods.
Preheat and post heat weld procedures are followed while welding this steel by
established methods.
Heat Treatment
AISI 4340 alloy steel is heat treated at 830C (1525F) followed by quenching in oil.
Forging
AISI 4340 alloy steel is forged at 427 to 1233C (1800 to 2250F).
Cold Working
AISI 4340 alloy steel can be cold worked using all conventional methods in the
annealed condition. It has high ductility.
Annealing
AISI 4340 alloy steel is annealed at 844C (1550F) followed by cooling the furnace.
Tempering
AISI 4340 alloy steel should be in the heat treated or normalized and heat treated
condition before tempering. Tempering temperatures depend upon the desired
strength level.
Hardening
AISI 4340 alloy steel can be hardened by cold working or heat treatment.
Applications
AISI 4340 alloy steel is mainly used in power transmission gears and shafts, aircraft
landing gear, and other structural parts.
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