4Cr13 steel, a martensite stainless steel, boasts high hardenability, excellent corrosion resistance, and superior polishing properties. Its sophisticated chemical composition, coupled with a rigorous heat treatment process, ensures its hardness and resilience.
Predominantly used in precision mechanisms, automotive structures, and the petrochemical industry, 4Cr13 steel’s versatility is unparalleled.
This article explores its chemical composition, mechanical and physical properties, applications, and equivalent grades.
Overview of 4Cr13 Steel
4Cr13 steel, a martensite stainless steel, is characterized by its high hardenability, excellent resistance to corrosion and hot oxidation, and good polishing properties, making it a popular choice for applications in precision mechanisms, the automotive industry, and the petrochemical sector.
Its heat treatment process, which includes annealing, hardening, and tempering, contributes greatly to its unique properties. Annealing at 750 to 800°C followed by slow cooling enhances the steel’s hardenability. This is succeeded by hardening at 1000 to 1050°C, which augments its strength and wear resistance. Final tempering at 180 to 300°C refines the microstructure, thereby improving its toughness and corrosion resistance.
In precision mechanism applications, the 4Cr13 steel’s high hardenability and fine-tuned microstructure ensures reliable performance. It is also frequently used in the manufacture of plastic molds due to its exceptional wear resistance.
Additionally, its resistance to hot oxidation makes it suitable for petrochemical industry applications, where it is exposed to harsh chemical environments and high temperatures. The 4Cr13 steel’s comprehensive suite of properties highlights its versatility and adaptability in various industrial scenarios.
4Cr13 steel (New name: 40Cr13) is a martensitic type stainless steel, which has higher hardness than 3Cr13 steel after quenching.
4Cr13 reference standard: GB/T 1220 & GB/T 20878
40Cr13 reference standard: GB/T 3280
Equivalent Materials
In terms of equivalent materials, the European EN 10088-3 standard recognizes X39Cr13 (1.4031) as a similar grade to the Chinese GB/T 1220; GB/T 3280, Grade 4Cr13 (40Cr13). The comparative analysis of these grades reveals a high degree of similarity in their chemical composition and mechanical properties, making them ideal material alternatives for various applications.
- Comparative analysis: Both 4Cr13 and X39Cr13 exhibit good corrosion resistance and high hardenability, making them ideal for robust, high-stress applications.
- Material alternatives: Due to their similar properties, these grades can often be used interchangeably, broadening cross-industry applications.
- Corrosion resistance comparison: Both grades show excellent resistance to corrosion and hot oxidation, extending their lifespan in industrial settings.
Performance evaluation of these grades indicates their suitability for precise mechanisms, structural automotive applications, and the petrochemical industry. Their high corrosion resistance makes them particularly valuable in harsh environments. Thus, the selection between 4Cr13 and X39Cr13 often comes down to specific application requirements and regional material availability.
Characteristics of 4Cr13 Steel
Delving into the characteristics of this particular material, it’s noteworthy to mention its impressive hardenability and excellent resistance to both corrosion and hot oxidation, which significantly enhance its applicability in various demanding industrial settings. The 4Cr13 steel, a martensitic stainless steel, stands out due to its superior polishing properties and resistance to corrosion when compared to its counterparts. These attributes are significantly improved through heat treatment techniques, including quenching and tempering, which refine the grain structure and optimize the hardness and toughness balance.
The corrosion resistance of 4Cr13 steel, a fundamental advantage, makes it a top choice among other martensitic stainless steels, especially in the petrochemical industry, which requires materials that can withstand harsh and corrosive environments. Its superior polishing properties are also beneficial in applications where surface aesthetics and smoothness are crucial.
In comparison with other martensitic stainless steels, 4Cr13 steel exhibits a more balanced set of mechanical properties, making it a versatile material with a broad spectrum of applications. This balance between strength, toughness, and corrosion resistance makes it suitable for applications requiring durability and longevity, further solidifying its place in the petrochemical industry.
Uses of 4Cr13 Steel
Exploring the various applications of this material, it is evident that its properties make it highly valuable in industries requiring high wear resistance and corrosion resistance, such as the petrochemical industry. The specific composition of 4Cr13 steel, including its carbon, silicon, and manganese content, contributes to its remarkable attributes.
Its industrial applications are vast due to the aforementioned traits. The precision mechanisms of various tools and equipment are enhanced by the incorporation of 4Cr13 steel. Its high wear resistance ensures the longevity and durability of these precision instruments, reducing the need for frequent replacement or repair.
Furthermore, the corrosion resistance of 4Cr13 steel is notable. This quality is particularly beneficial in the harsh environments of the petrochemical industry, where materials are often exposed to corrosive substances.
- High wear resistance allows for extended use in harsh conditions
- Excellent corrosion resistance offers protection in environments such as the petrochemical industry
- Its use in precision mechanisms ensures reliable and precise operation of tools and equipment
Physical Properties of 4Cr13 Steel
The physical attributes of this material, with a density of 7.75 g/cm3, further highlight its suitability for use in applications demanding high wear and corrosion resistance. This steel exhibits excellent thermal conductivity, enabling effective heat dissipation in high-temperature operations.
Its magnetic properties are integral in specific applications, such as in the production of magnetic components and motors. Corrosion resistance is another vital attribute, making 4Cr13 steel ideal for use in harsh environments where exposure to corrosive elements is inevitable.
Hardness testing of this steel reveals a hardened and tempered HRC hardness of over 50, signifying its impressive durability. The heat treatment process, involving meticulous stages of annealing and tempering, further enhances this hardness. The heat treatment process also refines the microstructure of the steel, thereby improving its mechanical properties.
From a technical perspective, 4Cr13 steel’s unique properties make it an excellent selection for many industrial applications. It is a material that excellently combines high density, thermal conductivity, magnetic properties, corrosion resistance, and hardness achieved through careful heat treatment.
| Code in GB/T 20878 | Unified numerical code | New Grade | Original Grade | Density /(g/cm3) 20 ℃ | Melting point ℃ | Specific heat capacity (kJ/Kg · K) | Thermal conductivity (W/m·K) | Coefficients of linear thermal expansion (10-6/K): | Electrical Resistivity (Ω·mm2/m) 20 ℃ | Longitudinal modulus of elasticity (kN/mm2) 20 ℃ | ||
| 100 ℃ | 500 ℃ | 0～100 ℃ | 0 ～ 500 ℃ | |||||||||
| 104 | S42040 | 40Cr13 | 4Cr13 | 7.75 | 0.46 | 28.1 | 28.90 | 10.50 | 12.00 | 0.590 | 215 | |
Mechanical Properties of 4Cr13 Steel
Mechanical properties of 4Cr13, such as its hardened and tempered HRC hardness of over 50, underline its potential for use in high-load and wear-resistance applications. These properties are largely influenced by heat treatment techniques and the steel’s carbon content. Proper heat treatment, which involves a sequence of heating, cooling, and reheating, can significantly alter the steel’s hardness, toughness, and wear resistance.
Heat treatment techniques for 4Cr13 steel involve annealing, hardening, and tempering at specified temperatures. The carbon content in 4Cr13 steel, between 0.36-0.45, directly affects its hardness and strength.
When compared with other martensitic stainless steels, 4Cr13 steel demonstrates superior mechanical performance due to its balanced composition and heat treatment process. Furthermore, it possesses excellent corrosion resistance in various environments, making it suitable for manufacturing components exposed to corrosive media.
The tempering temperature also plays a crucial role in determining the steel’s hardness and toughness. Generally, lower tempering temperatures result in higher hardness but lower toughness, whereas higher temperatures lead to increased toughness but reduced hardness. Thus, the tempering process should be precisely controlled to achieve the desired mechanical properties for specific applications.
| Code in GB/T 20878 | Unified numerical code | New Grade | Original Grade | Mechanical property of test piece through quench tempering | Hardness of annealed steel bars | ||||||
| Proof strength, non-proportional extension Rp0.2/(N/mm2) | Tensile strength Rm/(N/mm2) | Stretching rate after breaking A/% | Section shrinkage rate Zb/% | Impact absorbing energy Aku2d/J | HBW | HRC | HBW | ||||
| No less than | No more than | ||||||||||
| 104 | S42040 | 40Cr13 | 4Cr13 | – | – | – | – | – | 50 | 235 | |
Chemical Composition of 4Cr13 Steel
Underpinning the unique properties of 4Cr13, its chemical composition plays a vital role, comprising specific concentrations of carbon, silicon, manganese, phosphorus, and sulfur. This distinct composition imparts 4Cr13 with excellent corrosion resistance and polishing properties which are fundamental for its applications in precision mechanisms and the petrochemical industry.
The heat treatment process further enhances these properties, with the exact tempering and annealing parameters tailored to achieve the desired hardness and strength. This process, combined with the inherent chemical composition, results in a material with high hardenability and remarkable resistance to hot oxidation.
| Code in GB/T 20878 | Unified numerical code | New Grade | Original Grade | Chemical compositions (mass fraction) % | ||||||||||
| C | Si | Mn | P | S | Ni | Cr | Mo | Cu | N | Other elements | ||||
| 104 | S42040 | 40Cr13 | 4Cr13 | 0.36~0.45 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.04 | 0.03 | (0.60) | 12.00 ~ 14.00 | – | – | – | – |
The table above summarizes the key elements in 4Cr13’s chemical composition. Understanding the impact of these elements on the steel’s performance and how they interact during the heat treatment process is crucial for its effective use in various applications.
Redstone Manufacturing does not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained within the above table. Some metrics have been rounded, converted, or estimated. Consult a qualified engineer to confirm the accuracy of the information contained on this webpage.