4140 and 42CrMo are widely used as alloy steel materials in manufacturing, automotive, engineering, and other fields. They are known for their high strength, toughness, and versatility. 4140 steel and 42CrMo steel look similar, but there are actually some differences.
4140 Steel:
Composition:
4140: AISI/SAE 4140 is an American standard steel known for its composition of chromium, molybdenum, and carbon. Typical composition includes around 0.40%-0.60% carbon, 0.75%-1.00% manganese, 0.80%-1.10% chromium, and 0.15%-0.25% molybdenum.
Applications:
4140: Commonly used in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, and general engineering. Applications include shafts, axles, gears, bolts, and structural components where high strength, toughness, and wear resistance are required.
Availability:
Widely available and commonly used in North America.
42CrMo Steel:
Composition:
42CrMo: 42CrMo is a Chinese standard steel grade with a composition that typically includes 0.38%-0.45% carbon, 0.50%-0.80% manganese, 0.90%-1.20% chromium, 0.15%-0.30% molybdenum, and sometimes small amounts of other elements.
Applications:
Known for its usage in industrial applications such as machinery, automotive components, and heavy equipment. It is well-suited for applications requiring high strength, good toughness, and excellent fatigue resistance.
Availability:
More commonly used in China and regions following Chinese or European steel standards.
Stand | C(%) | Si(%) | Mn(%) | P(%) | S(%) | Cr(%) | Mo(%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4140 | 0.38-0.43% | 0.15-0.35% | 0.75-1.00% | ≤0.035% | ≤0.040% | 0.80-1.10% | 0.15-0.25% |
42CrMo | 0.38-0.45% | 0.17-0.37% | 0.50-0.80% | 0.035% | 0.035% | 0.90-1.20% | 0.15-0.25% |
4140 Mechanical Properties | Metric |
---|---|
Tensile Strength | 655 MPa |
Yield Strength | 415 MPa |
Elongation | 25.70% |
42CrMo Mechanical Properties | Metric |
---|---|
Tensile Strength | 1080 MPa |
Yield Strength | 930 MPa |
Elongation | 12% |
Differences:
Standards: 4140 steel is designated by AISI/SAE standards, while 42CrMo steel follows Chinese or European standards.
Machinability: 42CrMo steel can have better machinability due to sulfur impurities often present, which aids in chip formation during machining.
Local Availability: Depending on region and industry requirements, one may be more readily available than the other.
Specific Applications: Both steels are versatile but may be preferred based on specific application requirements, standards compliance, and local availability.
To sum up, 4140 has similarities with 42CrMo, but there are also some differences. When purchasing 4140 steel or 42CrMo steel, generally speaking, if you need stronger strength and toughness, or require better wear resistance, it is recommended to choose 42CrMo, but the final choice of material depends on the specific application and requirements.