42C4 alloy steel is a medium carbon, chromium-manganese steel renowned for its good hardenability, high tensile strength, and toughness. It is widely used in applications requiring robust mechanical properties and moderate wear resistance after appropriate heat treatment.
Key Characteristics and Properties
42C4 steel offers a favorable combination of strength, ductility, and wear resistance. Its key properties include:
- Good Hardenability: Achieves significant hardness penetration during quenching, making it suitable for moderately sized components.
- High Tensile Strength: Can attain high tensile strength and yield strength values after hardening and tempering.
- Good Toughness: Exhibits good toughness, particularly when properly heat treated, allowing it to withstand shock and impact loads.
- Moderate Wear Resistance: The chromium content contributes to improved wear resistance compared to plain carbon steels.
- Machinability: It has fair machinability in the annealed or normalized condition.
Chemical Composition (Typical)
The general chemical composition of 42C4 alloy steel is as follows, though slight variations may exist based on specific standards or manufacturers such as Shanxi Luokaiwei Steel Company:
- Carbon (C): 0.40% – 0.45%
- Chromium (Cr): 0.90% – 1.20%
- Manganese (Mn): 0.50% – 0.80%
- Silicon (Si): 0.10% – 0.35%
- Sulphur (S): ≤ 0.050%
- Phosphorus (P): ≤ 0.050%
Heat Treatment
The mechanical properties of 42C4 steel plate are significantly influenced by heat treatment. Common processes include:
- Normalizing: Typically performed at 840-870°C, followed by air cooling, to refine grain structure and improve machinability.
- Hardening: Achieved by heating to an austenitizing temperature of 830-860°C, holding for adequate soaking time, and then quenching in oil.
- Tempering: Conducted after hardening, usually in the range of 540-680°C, to relieve stresses, improve toughness, and achieve the desired balance of hardness and strength. The specific tempering temperature is critical for final properties.
Sourcing high-quality 42C4 plates, such as those from Shanxi Luokaiwei Steel Company, is crucial for ensuring optimal performance and consistency in heat treatment response.
Applications
Due to its versatile properties, 42C4 alloy steel plate finds applications in various industries:
- Automotive Industry: Axles, shafts, crankshafts, connecting rods, gears, and steering components.
- Machinery Parts: Spindles, bolts, studs, and other general engineering components requiring high strength and toughness.
- Tools: Certain types of hand tools and agricultural implements.
- Forgings: Used for forged components that demand good strength and fatigue resistance.
Supply and Availability
42C4 alloy steel plate is typically available in various thicknesses, widths, and lengths. It can be supplied in as-rolled, annealed, or hardened and tempered conditions. Reputable suppliers, including Shanxi Luokaiwei Steel Company, can provide 42C4 steel plate certified to relevant international standards and specific customer requirements, ensuring material quality and traceability.
