AISI 4340 Alloy Steel (UNS G43400)

AISI 4340 Alloy Steel (UNS G43400)

Written by AZoM

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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AISI 4340 Alloy Steel (UNS G43400)

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

Hardness, Knoop (converted from Brinell hardness)

240

240

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AISI 4340 Alloy Steel (UNS G43400)

Hardness, Rockwell B (converted from Brinell hardness)

95

95

17

17

228

228

50

50

Hardness, Rockwell C (converted from Brinell hardness. Value below

normal HRC range, for comparison purposes only)
Hardness, Vickers (converted from Brinell hardness)
Machinability (annealed and cold drawn. Based on 100 machinability
for AISI 1212 steel.)

Thermal Properties
The following table outlines the thermal properties of AISI 4340 alloy steel.
Properties

Metric

Thermal expansion co-efficient (20C/68F, specimen oil

hardened, 600C (1110F) temper

Imperial

12.3
m/mC

Thermal conductivity (typical steel)

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

ASTM A331 (4340)

ASTM A29 (4340) ASTM A506 (4340)

ASTM A320 (L43) ASTM A519 (4340)

AMS

ASTM A322

ASTM A646 (4340-

6415

(4340)

7)

ASTM A711
ASTM A752
(4340)
ASTM A829

SAE J1397
(4340)
SAE J404 (4340)
SAE J412 (4340)

MIL S-5000

Fabrication and Heat Treatment

Machinability
AISI 4340 alloy steel can be machined using all conventional techniques. Machining
process can be performed in the annealed or normalized and tempered conditions.

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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AISI 4340 Alloy Steel (UNS G43400)

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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