Metals & alloys · Ferrous alloys

AISI 4140 / 42CrMo4-type steel

A chromium–molybdenum through-hardening steel used where strength, toughness, fatigue resistance and heat-treat response must be balanced.

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Carbon & Low-Alloy Steel
Record
Flagship
Conditions
4
Sources
3
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01

Overview

Material class
Metals & alloys
Category
Ferrous alloys
Family
Carbon & Low-Alloy Steel
Product forms
Sheet/plate, Bar/rod

Composition

ConstituentMinMaxTypicalNote
C0.380.430.4
Mn0.7510.85
Si0.150.350.25
Cr0.81.10.95
Mo0.150.250.2
P0.035
S0.04
FeBalance

02

Properties and conditions

Engineering properties

PropertyValueUnitCondition
Density7.85g/cm³Representative; verify product form and condition
Elastic modulus205GPaRepresentative; verify product form and condition
Thermal conductivity42–46W/m·KRepresentative; verify product form and condition
Yield strength655–930MPaquenched and tempered; section dependent
Tensile strength850–1080MPaquenched and tempered
Elongation10–18%quenched and tempered

Conditions

heat treatment

Annealed

Softened condition for machining or forming.

heat treatment

Normalized

Air-cooled normalized condition.

heat treatment

Quenched and tempered — higher temper

Lower-strength, higher-toughness quenched-and-tempered condition.

heat treatment

Quenched and tempered — lower temper

Higher-strength quenched-and-tempered condition; section size and tempering temperature required.

03

Processing and use

Processing

  • Preheat and controlled cooling are normally required for welding.
  • Quench severity and section size control through-hardening and distortion.
  • Tempering establishes the final strength–toughness balance.

Applications

  • Shafts and axles
  • Gears and fasteners
  • Oil-and-gas components
  • High-strength machine parts

Selection considerations

  • Avoid treating a nominal designation as a guaranteed property set.
  • Check hardenability, cleanliness and ultrasonic quality for critical sections.

04

Standards and related materials

Standards and designations

SystemDesignationNote
SAE/AISI4140
UNSG41400
EN1.7225 / 42CrMo4near-equivalent; verify chemistry and product standard
ASTMA29/A322/A829depending product form

05

Sources and context

Sources

Confirm the applicable specification, product form and condition before using values for design or procurement.

Supply and sustainability

Widely available as bar, plate, forging stock and tube; product quality levels vary by specification.

Strong recyclability; life extension through repair and re-heat-treatment can be valuable for large components.

Strategic context

Established engineering material with documented processing–performance relationships.