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4140 PH / 4142 PH STANDARD VALUES

Composition - Chemical analysis:

C

0.38 – 0.45

Si

0 – 0.4

Mn

0.6 – 0.9

P

0 – 0.035

S

0 – 0.035

Cr

0.9 – 1.2

Mo

0.15 – 0.3
Chemical name:
42CrMo4
Working hardness:
27 HRC (delivery condition) - 48 HRC
Delivery condition:
max. 380 HB
Chemical name:
42CrMo4
Working hardness:
27 HRC (delivery condition) - 48 HRC
Delivery condition:
max. 380 HB
4140 / 4142 PH physical properties
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4140 PH / 4142 PH PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

As a low alloy steel, 4140 PH  / 4142 PH also known as chromium-molybdenum - or chrome moly steel, it relies on the added chromium, molybdenum and manganese to increase strength and hardenability, yet it has inadequate weldability characteristics.

The chromium content in this heat-treatable steel provides hardness penetration, whereas the added molybdenum provides uniform hardness and strength. The added manganese lends itself to increase strength and hardenability. 

4140 PH  / 4142 PH steel may be used for both low and high temperature applications and with the relevant heat treatment can be used in sour gas environments as well. 4140 PH / 4142 PH belongs to the group of high grade structural steels.

In the quenched and tempered (PH) condition, it provides good wear resistance and has a minimum of 27 HRC which may be increased by flame or induction hardening or alternatively may as well be nitrided. In this condition, it is ready to use but still machinable as well.

4140 PH and 4142 PH are nearly identical but for a slightly higher carbon content for the 4142 PH.

Where the steel composition of the 4140 PH has a carbon content of 0.38 to 0.43%, 4142 PH has carbon content of 0.4 to 0.45%.

4140 PH / 4142 PH is, even with a chromium and molybdenum content, not a classic 10.5% chromium stainless steel. It belongs to the group of high grade structural steels.
On a scale where 1 is low and 6 is high, the corrosion resistance for 4140 PH / 4142 PH stands at 2.

4140 PH / 4142 PH has some corrosion resistance due to the chromium and molybdenum content but will rust when corrosion has set in and sustain the same damage as other non-corrosion resistant steels.
4140 PH / 4142 PH steel is magnetizable and suitable for magnetic clamping.
On a scale where 1 is low and 6 ist high, 4140 PH / 4142 PH comes in at a score of 3.

This steel can be hot worked at 1500 - 1900°F (816 - 1038°C), it maintains its properties even after long exposure at the high working temperatures.

In its annealed condition, this steel can be cold worked with all the conventional methods.

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4140 PH / 4142 PH TECHNICAL PROPERTIES

When choosing to make a knife or blade from 4140 PH / 4142 PH the hardness and corrosion resistance as well as wear resistance should be considered. Though possible this steel grade is not commonly used to make knives with. 
The working hardness for this material grade is in a range of 262 - 456 BHN (27 - 48 HRC).

The density of 4140 PH / 4142 PH at room temperature (~68°F) is 0.284lb/in3 (7.85g/cm3).

4140 PH / 4142 PH has a tensile strength of approx. 104.4 KSI on delivery (0.145 KSI = 1MPa). In order to reach this value, a tensile test is performed to show how much force is needed to stretch or elongate a sample before it breaks.
The yield strength of 4140 PH / 4142 PH is at approx. 95 KSI. This shows when the material starts to show plastic deformation.

The heat conductivity for the 4140 PH / 4142 PH at room temperature is at 42.6 W/(m*K) (313 BTU/(h-ft2*°F)).

Heat conductivity teable
ValueBy temperature
42.6 W/(m⋅K)68 °F
4140 PH / 4142 PH stainless steel thermal conductivity diagram chart
This diagram shows how much 4140 PH / 4142 PH might expand or contract when the temperatures change, which can be very important when working with high temperatures or strong temperature changes.
Medium thermal expansion coefficient
10-6m/(m•K)At a temperature of
11.168 - 212 °F
12.168 - 392 °F
12.968 - 572 °F
13.568 - 752 °F
4140PH 4142PH heat-treatable steel thermal expansion coefficient diagram chart

This value shows how much heat is needed  to heat 1lb of 4140 PH / 4142 PH by 1 Fahrenheit.

4140 PH / 4142 PH steel specific heat thermal capacity chart
You can find the temperature dependent material constant (Resistivity) in the following table. The electrical conductivity is the reciprocal value of the specific resistance.
Table of the specific electrical resistivity
ValueAt a temperature of
~ 0.231 (Ohm⋅mm²)/m~ 68 °F
~ 0.284 (Ohm⋅mm²)/m~ 212 °F
~ 0,358 (Ohm⋅mm²)/m~ 392 °F
~ 0,448 (Ohm⋅mm²)/m~ 572 °F
~ 0,552 (Ohm⋅mm²)/m~ 752 °F
~ 0,671 (Ohm*mm²)/m~ 932 °F

The relationship between stress and strain of steel is being described in the modulus of elasticity (Young’s Modulus) and can be found in the table below with the according values and temperatures.

Modulus of Elasticity
ValueAt a temperature of
~ 31.47 KSI~ 68 °F
~ 30.89 KSI~ 212 °F
~ 30.75 KSI~ 392 °F
~ 30.02 KSI~ 572 °F
~ 28.86 KSI~ 752 °F
~ 27.85 KSI~ 932 °F
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4140 / 4142 PH procedures
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4140 PH / 4142 PH PROCEDURE

Uniformly heat the work pieces to 1256 - 1328°F (680 - 720°C), followed by a slow cooling in the furnace to reach the annealed hardness of approx. 217 BHN.
4140 PH / 4142 PH is heated slowly through to 900°F (482°C) and soak for 1 hour per inch (25.4 mm) thickness, then cool the material in the furnace or air to room temperature.
The 4140 PH / 4142 PH can be normalized before hardening. Heat to 1544 - 1616°F (840 - 880°C), followed by air cooling.
The 4140 PH / 4142 PH is not normally heat treated as it is delivered in a pre-hardened condition. Should the need for a higher hardness arise please follow the hardening steps below starting with annealing the 4140 PH / 4142 PH.
4140 PH / 4142 PH is pre-hardened material, to reach a higher hardness the material has to be annealed, as described above, and then it can be re-hardened.

After hardening the material can achieve a working hardness between 262 and 456 BHN (27 - 48 HRC).

4140 PH / 4142 PH can be quenched in oil to room temperature and then should be tempered  immediately.

As delivered: Alloy 4140PH / 4142 PH does not require a tempering as it is pre-hardened. If this material should be re-hardened, follow the annealing and hardening process as described above.

Re-hardened: Alloy 4140 PH / 4142 PH can be tempered at 1004 - 1256°F (540 - 680°C) subject to hardness and according to the properties required. Cool in air after the treatment. 

4140 PH / 4142 PH can be tempered at 1004 - 1256°F (540 - 680°C), the higher the tempering temperature the softer and more ductile it gets.

In general hardness and ductility are determined by tempering the material, the higher the ductility the lower the hardness which is true for the reverse as well. Apart from the advantage to give the steel the wanted and needed properties the material can be stress relieved, is less likely to crack and has a better deformation behavior by tempering it.

This diagram shows micro changes over time at different temperatures. Those are important during heat treatment as they show information about the optimum conditions for processes such as hardening, annealing and normalizing.

4140 PH / 4142 PH steel continuous ztu-diagram ttt-chart structural changes

This diagram shows the structural changes at micro level over time at a constant temperature. It shows at what temperature and after what time different phases, e.g., perlite, martensite or bainite start to build.

4140 PH / 4142 PH steel isothermal time temperature transformation (TTT) diagram
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4140 PH / 4142 PH SURFACE TREATMENT

4140 PH / 4142 PH can be nitrided to give this steel grade a harder surface layer.
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4140 PH / 4142 PH PROCESSING

On a scale where 1 is weak and 6 is good, the machinability of 4140 PH / 4142 PH reaches a score of 3.

This grade is easily machinable after it has been heat treated to produce the microstructure required for the best machinability.

It is possible to EDM this steel grade in the annealed and hardened condition. As for all EDM work the recast layer has to be removed thoroughly by stoning and polishing.

4140 PH / 4142 PH has a creep resistance up to a temperature of 1004°F (540°C) and is able to sustain its properties when exposed to relatively high working temperatures over a longer time.
In its PH condition, forging can be challenging. Forging this steel grade should be done in its annealed or normalized condition.

Annealed or normalized: 4140 PH / 4142 PH can be forged in a temperature range of 1652 - 1832°F (900 - 1000°C) followed by a very slow cooling in still air or sand.

Welding 42CrMo4 may only be done in the annealed or normalized condition. All conventional techniques may be applied then.

Annealed or normalized: In order to prevent cracking, preheat to 350-650°F (177-350°C). Due to the level of carbon in this steel, pre- and post-heat is recommended. Cool slowly to prevent/reduce embrittlement.

If welded in the heat-treated condition, which is normally only done for repairs, mechanical properties are affected and a post-weld heat treatment should be performed. Welding pre-heated parts, it is recommended to stress relieve the parts before at a temperature 60°F (15°C) below the original tempering temperature in order to prevent cracking.

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4140 PH / 4142 PH APPLICATION OPTIONS

Applications for this 4140 PH / 4142 PH flat stock steel include: arbors, flanges, collets, bending dies, crankshafts, clutch parts, forming rolls, and short run stamping dies.

• Mechanical engineering
• Machine parts
• Axes
• Knuckles
• Connecting rods
• Crankshafts
• Gear shafts
• Pinions
• Gears
• Bandages
• Base plates
• Assembling parts

4140 / 4142 PH application options
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4140 PH / 4142 PH CONCLUSION

The material 4140 PH / 4142 PH, also known as 42CrMo4, is a low-alloy chromium-molybdenum steel. It is characterized by its high strength and toughness. It is used in mechanical engineering, toolmaking and many other industries due to its good properties.

- Engineering steel
- High strength
- High toughness
- Good machinability
- For highly stressed components in vehicle construction
- Surface hardenable
- Nitridable
- Erodible
- Difficult to weld
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4140 PH / 4142 PH ALTERNATIVES

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4140 PH / 4142 PH DATASHEET

Download the technical data sheet in PDF format here.

download 4140 / 4142 PH steel data sheet
Disclaimer

The data shown here has been compiled with the greatest diligence and is regularly updated with regard to the correctness and completeness of its content. The content is indicative only and should not be taken as a warranty of specific properties of the product described or a warranty of suitability for a particular purpose. All information presented is given in good faith and no liability will be accepted for actions taken by third parties in reliance on this information. ABRAMS Industries reserves the right to change or amend the information given here in full or parts without prior notice.