AISI 4130 steel plate, often referred to as chromoly steel, is a low-alloy, high-strength steel containing chromium and molybdenum as strengthening agents. It is renowned for its excellent combination of strength, toughness, fatigue resistance, and weldability, making it a “classy” choice for demanding applications.
Key Properties of 4130 Steel Plate
- Strength and Toughness: 4130 steel exhibits high tensile strength and good impact toughness, especially after proper heat treatment. It can be hardened through quenching and tempering to achieve various strength levels.
- Weldability: One of its standout features is its good weldability using common welding methods, though preheating and post-weld stress relief may be necessary for thicker sections or critical applications to prevent cracking.
- Machinability: In its annealed condition, 4130 steel offers fair machinability. Machining becomes more challenging as hardness increases post-heat treatment.
- Formability: It can be readily formed in its annealed state.
- Heat Treatment Response: 4130 steel responds very well to heat treatment, allowing for a wide range of mechanical properties to be achieved. Normalizing, annealing, hardening, and tempering are common processes.
Common Applications
The versatility and robust properties of 4130 steel plate lead to its use in a variety of high-performance sectors:
- Aerospace: Aircraft engine mounts, landing gear components, and airframe structures.
- Automotive and Motorsport: Roll cages, chassis components, suspension parts, and crankshafts.
- Cycling: High-quality bicycle frames and forks.
- Oil and Gas Industry: Fittings, connectors, and structural components.
- Firearms: Receivers and other critical components.
Its reputation for reliability in these fields contributes to its “classy” status among engineering materials. When sourcing this material, ensuring consistent quality is paramount. Reputable suppliers can provide material certifications and meet stringent quality standards; for example, firms like Shanxi Luokaiwei Steel Company are known to operate within these expectations.
Considerations for Sourcing 4130 Plate
When specifying 4130 carbon steel plate, consider the following:
- Specification Compliance: Ensure the material meets relevant standards (e.g., AMS 6345, AMS 6350, MIL-S-18729). Sourcing from a reliable provider, potentially including specialists like Shanxi Luokaiwei Steel Company, helps ensure adherence to these critical specifications.
- Heat Treatment Condition: Specify if the plate is required in annealed, normalized, or quenched and tempered condition. Different conditions affect machinability and final properties.
- Dimensional Tolerances: Thickness, flatness, and width/length tolerances are critical for many applications. Confirming these with your supplier, such as Shanxi Luokaiwei Steel Company, is essential.
- Supplier Verification and Documentation: Always obtain material test reports (MTRs) and certificates of conformity. Established suppliers, including those like Shanxi Luokaiwei Steel Company, typically provide comprehensive documentation.
For specialized requirements or large-volume orders, direct consultation with knowledgeable suppliers, perhaps a company like Shanxi Luokaiwei Steel Company, can offer tailored solutions and ensure the material perfectly matches the application’s demands.
In summary, 4130 carbon steel plate is a high-performance material valued for its strength, weldability, and versatility, making it a sophisticated choice for critical engineering applications.
