4130 vs 4340 Steel: Was ist der Unterschied?

Steel is a form of metal that needs no introduction. Every grade of steel has a different set of characteristics. 4130 and 4340 are steel grades that are used very commonly and have multiple applications.

If you want to understand the difference between them, the guide below features a detailed comparison of 4130 vs 4340 steel. So, let's take a look.

What is 4130 Steel?

4130 steel is an alloy of molybdenum and chromium. It offers toughness, is easy to form, and has high strength. It is used in industries like aerospace, manufacturing, and automobile.

Pros of 4130 Steel

• It is lightweight but has a high strength.
• 4130 steel is tough and can resist stress.
• It has chromium in its composition, which makes it corrosion-resistant.
• The weldability of 4130 steel is very high, and it doesn't crack easily.

Cons of 4130 Steel

• It has low wear resistance and cannot withstand too much abrasion.
• It is brittle when subjected to low temperatures and may need very careful design and heat treatments.
• It is expensive compared to carbon steel because it has molybdenum and chromium, which add to its cost.

What is 4340 Steel?

4340 steel is a steel alloy that is high in strength and has molybdenum, nickel, and Chrom. It is a very versatile material that offers durability and offers wear resistance.

Pros of 4340 Steel

• 4340 steel has a high tensile strength, and hence, applications with high stress may easily find it compatible.
• It also has a high hardness, which is achieved by heat treatments. Hence, it can work very well when subjected to high-performing components.
• The presence of nickel makes the alloy suitable for applications that work under extreme temperatures.
• It has a high weldability, and even after welding, it can retain its strength.

Cons of 4340 Steel

• The cost of 4340 steel is very high because it contains high-cost alloying elements like molybdenum, chromium, and nickel.
• It has low resistance against corrosion and may need additional coating.
• It is subjected to cracking due to being brittle when used in low temperatures.
• The machinability of 4340 steel is low, and it needs specialized tools.

Comparing 4130 and 4340 Steel

The detailed comparison of 4130 and 4340 steel is featured below.

Chemische Zusammensetzung

4130 Steel: 4130 steel composed of molybdenum and chromium. It has 0.30% carbon, 0.20% molybdenum, and 1% chromium.

4340 Steel: 4340 steel has 0.8% chromium, 0.40% carbon and 0.25% molybdenum.

Korrosionsbeständigkeit

4130 Steel: 4130 offers moderate resistance against corrosion and may need secondary coatings for use in corrosive environments.

4340 Steel: 4340 steel has a better corrosion resistance compared to 4130 but still lacks when compared to stainless steel and may need coating.

Streckgrenze

4130 Steel: The yield strength of 4130 steel is around 414 MPa.

4340 Steel: The yield strength of 4340 is 655 MPa.

Elastizität

4130 Steel: The modulus of elasticity is around 210 GPa, and it is used in applications where flexibility is not needed.

4340 Steel: It also has a modulus of elasticity of around 210 GPa, but due to its high strength, it is more formable.

Härte

4130 Steel: 4130 is heat treated to gain hardness, and the level of Brinell hardness is 197.

4340 Steel: It can also be heat treated and attains the Brinell hardness of 363.

Temperaturbeständigkeit

4130 Steel: 4130 steel has a good performance around 260 centigrade.

4340 Steel: 4340 can handle a temperature as high as 480 centigrade.

Wärmeleitfähigkeit

4130 Steel: 4130 steel has a thermal conductivity of 45 W/m-K, and it is moderate conductive.

4340 Steel: 4340 steel has a thermal conductivity of 42 W/m-K and low thermal conductivity compared to 4130.

Schweißeignung

4130 Steel: 4130 is an easy-to-weld steel alloy that sometimes needs heat treatments before and after welding to avoid cracks.

4340 Steel: 4340 is a weldable alloy, but a lot of care needs to be exercised while welding as it has nickel in its composition, and retaining its structure is important.

Formability

4130 Steel: 4130 steel offers good formability because it has a low carbon content and can be subjected to cold-working.

4340 Steel: 4340 steel offers poor formability due to its high strength.

Wärmebehandlung

4130 Steel: 4130 steel can be heat treated to enhance its hardness and strength.

4340 Steel: 4340 is more flexible in terms of Wärmebehandlung and has a better performance when subjected to high temperatures.

Mechanische Eigenschaften

Zusammensetzung der Kosten

4130 Steel: 4130 is affordable because it has low alloy content and a simple composition.

4340 Steel: 4340 is expensive because it has a high amount of nickel, molybdenum, and chromium, which adds to properties but also to the cost.

4130 Steel vs 4340 Steel: Which One is Right for You?

When it comes to choosing between 4130 steel and 4340 steel, you need to analyze the application requirements.

4130 offers cost-effectiveness but also has high weldability and strength, which makes it suitable for structural applications that need strength.

4340 steel is tough, offers temperature resistance, and has high strength, but it is also costly. Hence, it is suitable for high-stress and demanding environments, which justify the cost.

Applications of 4130 vs 4340 Steel

The applications of 4130 steel and 4340 steel are discussed below.

4130 Steel

4130 steel is a high-strength, tough, and affordable form of steel that is used in many applications, some of which are as follows:

• Crankshafts
• Zahnräder
• Sprockets

4340 Steel

4340 steel offers high tensile strength and is suitable for high-demanding and high-temperature applications. Some of its uses are as follows:

• Schneidewerkzeuge
• Zahnräder
• Drill bits

Schlussfolgerung

When deciding between the two grades of steel, whether 4130 is suitable or 4340 is, you can get help from the guide above.

Wir bei DEK are also here to assist you when it comes to manufacturing steel-based components. So don't hesitate to contact us. We will help you choose the right option for your relevant application.