AISI 4340 Alloy Steel (UNS G43400)

AISI 4340 Alloy Steel (UNS G43400)

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.
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

Saved from URL: http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=6772

Metric
7.85

g/cm3

1427C

Imperial
0.284 lb/in
2600F

/3

AISI 4340 Alloy Steel (UNS G43400)

Mechanical Properties
The mechanical properties of annealed AISI 4340 alloy steel are displayed in the following table.
Properties

Metric

Imperial

Tensile strength

745 MPa

108000 psi

Yield strength

470 MPa

68200 psi

Bulk modulus (typical for steel)

140 GPa

20300 ksi

Shear modulus (typical for steel)

80 GPa

11600 ksi

190-210

27557-30458

GPa

ksi

0.27-0.30

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

Hardness, Rockwell B (converted from Brinell hardness)

95

95

17

17

Hardness, Vickers (converted from Brinell hardness)

228

228

Machinability (annealed and cold drawn. Based on 100 machinability for AISI 1212 steel.)

50

50

Elastic modulus
Poisson's ratio

Hardness, Rockwell C (converted from Brinell hardness. Value below normal HRC range, for comparison
purposes only)

Thermal Properties
The following table outlines the thermal properties of AISI 4340 alloy steel.
Properties
Thermal expansion co-efficient (20C/68F, specimen oil hardened, 600C (1110F) temper
Thermal conductivity (typical steel)

Metric

Imperial

12.3 m/mC

6.83 in/inF

44.5 W/mK

309 BTU in/hr.ft.F

Other Designations
Other designations that are equivalent to AISI 4340 alloy steel include the following:
AMS 6359

AMS 6454

ASTM A331 (4340)

ASTM A711

SAE J1397 (4340)

AMS 6409

ASTM A29 (4340)

ASTM A506 (4340)

ASTM A752 (4340)

SAE J404 (4340)

AMS 6414

ASTM A320 (L43)

ASTM A519 (4340)

ASTM A829

SAE J412 (4340)

AMS 6415

ASTM A322 (4340)

ASTM A646 (4340-7)

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.

Welding
Saved from URL: http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=6772

/3

AISI 4340 Alloy Steel (UNS G43400)

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.
Date Added: Sep 7, 2012 | Updated: Jul 11, 2013

Saved from URL: http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=6772

/3