Alloy Steel Forgings
Forged alloy steel is a robust and versatile metal that provides a reliable, cost-effective material option for a wide range of industrial applications. Parts manufactured from forged alloy steel contain unique properties not found in standard carbon steel. Alloy steel forgings are economical, easy to process, demonstrate good mechanical properties, and are more responsive to heat and mechanical treatments than standard carbon steel forgings. If you're looking for a versatile material at an excellent value, alloy steel forgings might be your solution.
Alloy Steel Characteristics & Grade Options
Alloy steel contains small amounts of one or more alloying elements added to its overall content. These added elements include manganese, silicon, nickel, titanium, copper, chromium, aluminum, and more. Alloy steels have become increasingly popular due to their availability, lower economical cost, excellent mechanical properties, and ease of processing.
Custom Alloy Steel Forgings
As a trusted manufacturer of custom open-die forged components, our alloy steels can be modified and heat treated to enhance their machinability, strength, and ductility to meet the requirements for various applications. By adding different elements during the forging process, we can change the properties and performance characteristics of your alloy steel forged components. Your specific industrial application and its requirements will dictate the type of alloy steel forging necessary. Materials we use in the alloy steel forging process include:
- Nickel & Copper – Improves corrosion resistance while adding increased strength
- Chromium, Vanadium, Molybdenum, & Tungsten – These elements increase strength through the formation of second-phase carbides
- Manganese, Silicon, Nickel, & Copper – The addition of these elements increases strength by forming solid solutions in ferrite, ideal for extreme heat exposure
- Molybdenum – When molybdenum is added by itself, it helps the steel resist embrittlement
- Cobalt, Chromium, & Nickel – Improves retention of strength and ductility at higher service temperatures
- Silicon & Nickel – Improves the retention of ductility and impact at low service temperatures
Forged Alloy Steel Grades & Specifications
At Great Lakes Forge, our alloy steel specifications include AISI, ASTM, AMS, API, SAE, ASME, AWS, JIS, and GB. Our forgings are available in many custom shapes and heat-treated conditions to achieve critical physical properties, including tensile, yield, elongation, and area reduction.
Our alloy steel open die forgings are also available in mild, medium, and high carbon-based grades. Using our open-die forging process, we can customize the alloying elements within the alloy steel to achieve each application's required performance specifications. Forged alloy steel grades include:
- 4130: Excellent weldability and high strength-to-weight ratio, suitable for aerospace and oil industry applications.
- 4140: Versatile, with high strength, toughness, and wear resistance. Used in gears, axles, and shafts.
- 4150: Good machinability with high strength and wear resistance. Common in parts subjected to heavy wear and stress.
- 4340: High tensile strength and toughness, ideal for crankshafts and other rugged components.
- 4340AQ: Features improved toughness and fatigue resistance, suitable for demanding applications like aerospace and transportation.
- A105: Ideal for high-pressure, high-temperature piping applications.
- Nitralloy 135MOD: High-strength with enhanced corrosion resistance, often used in oil and gas drilling equipment.
*Additional steel grades and specifications are available upon request.
Open Die Forging for High-Performance Alloy Steel Parts
Through the open-die alloy steel forging process, thermal and mechanical energy is applied to steel billets or ingots, which then changes the shape of the alloy while in a solid state. Open-die forged alloy steel products are stronger and more reliable than castings since forging involves alteration of the grain flow, imitating the shape of the part. The thermal cycle and deformation process leads to grain refinement and recrystallization, strengthening the resulting steel product.
Advantages of Open-Die Forging Alloy Steel
The open-die forging process includes a range of benefits when manufacturing custom alloy steel components. Some of the primary advantages of utilizing forged alloy steel include:
- It eliminates the occurrence of shrinkage, porosity, and cavities, which are usually encountered in castings
- High wear resistance
- Tougher and more robust than cast steel
- High strength is reinforced through added elements that have been introduced to the carbon steel
- The impact strength of forged alloy steel is higher than that of casted steel
Industrial Applications for Open Die Forged Alloy Steel
Because the open-die forging process results in high strength, toughness, wear resistance, and other advanced properties, GLF's alloy steel forgings are ideal for nearly any industry. We supply open-die forged components for customers in demanding industries, including oil & gas, press repair, aerospace, mining, power generation, and many more. Specific forged alloy steel components include crankshafts, machine parts, fasteners, and gearing.
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