HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL

The article describes the composition and m e c h a n i c a l properties of a heat-treated constructional steel with
200 kg/sq, m m tensile strength a n d r e a s o n a b l e d u c t i l i t y ( M e t a l T r e a t m e n t a n d Drop Forging, v. 27, No. 175, 1960).
The composition of the new steel ( % ) is: 0.40 C, 0.75 Mn, 1.60 Si, 1.80 Ni, 0.85 Cr, 0.30 Mo, 0.10 Ti and
0.003 B. The steel is b a s i c a l l y designed for making air frames. Since the frame represents about 10 % of the total
weight of a plane (without load), the new steel can significantly reduce the plane's weight and increase its l o a d -
carrying c a p a c i t y .
The n e w s t e e l is a modification of AISI 4340. Boron increases h a r d e n a b i l i t y and has an advantageous effect
on room and sub-zero i m p a c t toughness. In developing the new steel, over 40 various heats were produced. They
were forged and rolled into 15.9 X 22.3 X 31.6 turn bars which were then n o r m a l i z e d and annealed. The best c o m -
bination of strength and toughness had a steel based on the 4340 composition, modified with silicon and titanium;
the toughness and forgeability were even better in a v a c u u m - m e l t e d - s t e e l .
The o p t i m u m h e a t treatment was as follows: oil quenching from 900"C and double t e m p e r i n g at 200-260~
The m e c h a n i c a l properties were: RC = 53,0 b = 200 kg/sq, ram, a s = 165 kg/sq.mm, 5 (on 35.6 m m length) = 10 %,
~0= 35%, a k (Charpy specimen with V-notch) = 2.2 k g / s q . . c m at room temperature and at -40"C.

HOT-WORK TOOL STEEL

U. S. Patent No. 2,908,565 of 10.13.1959 (J. A. Nelson) covers a precipitation-hardening tool steel suitable
for work at up to 815"C. The steel can be used for pressure casting molds, forging dies, dies for extrusion and for
drawing shapes.
The m a i n alloying components are cobalt, copper and nickel, the total c o b a l t and copper content being 2-15 %
and their ratio, 3 : 1.
The nickel content is twice that of copper.
The steel has good m a c h i n a b i l i t y despite its high hardness and a high resistance to softening during heating,
which is especially important for parts operating at high temperatures. It has a high corrosion and wear resistance
and is r e l a t i v e l y i m m u n e to quench cracking. I t distorts during heating less than do martensitic steels; it is readily
ground and polished.
It was found that addition of 4 - 6 % ( m i n i m u m 2.5%) Co with and without copper, of Cr and W in amounts rep-
resenting 5 / 4 and 4/3, respectively, of the molybdenum content, and less than 1% Ni in a steel containing less than
0.15 % C and 3.5 % Mo enhances precipitation hardening and improves m a c h i n a b i l i t y .
S m a l l additions ( <-- 0.2 % each) of carbon, manganese, silicon and vanadium are very effective. The presence
of sulphur, lead, tellurium, selenium and silver is not permissible since they reduce the m e c h a n i c a l properties. The
following specific compositions are suggested (%) :
1) total Co and Cu = 2-15 (Cu/Co = 1 / 3 ) ; Ni = twice the Cu content;
2) 0.25 C, 1-6 Cr, ~ 3 W , -<5 Mo, M 0 / W = 5/4; 2-8 Co, 0 . 5 - 4 . 5 C u ( C u / C o = 1/3), ~ 3 N i ;
3) 0.25 C, 1-6 Cr, 2-8 Co, 0.5-4.5 Cu, 1-5 W, 1-5 Mo (Mo/W = 5/4);
4) 0 . 2 5 C , 1 - 6 C r , 2-8 Co, < 4 W , < 5 M o ( M o / W = 5/4), ~ 4 . 5 C u ( C u / C o = 1/3);
5) 0.25 C, 1-6 Cr, 2-8 Co, 0.5-4.5 Cu (Cu/Co = 1 / 3 ) , 1-5 W, 1-5 Mo (Mo/W = 5 / 4 ) ;
6) < 0 . 1 5 C , ~ 6 C r , < 1 Mn, < 1 S i , < 1 V , < 3.5 M o ( W / M o = 5 / 4 or 4 / 3 ) , 2.5-6 Co (copper only 0 . 2 5 -
0.5% of Co content).
Machining ofb/_11ets is r e c o m m e n d e d after air hardening from 1010*C. The hardness of the billets Rc = 40-45.
The finished products are aged at 538-566*C,which results in a hardness increase to Re = 50.

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