AISI 4130 STEEL BUYING GUIDE

Learning everything about 4130 steel can bring a lot on your plate. That’s’ why we’ve dedicated this guide to help and assist you in purchasing 4130 steel.

We will be giving you the guide on how you can purchase the best quality of 4130 steel in the market!

4130 steel is a type of high strength low alloy steel that has chromium and molybdenum added to improve the hardenability. 4130 is also known as Chromoly, which is the name for an American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) designation. 4130 steel has many benefits including being stronger than 4150 or 4340, but lighter in weight.

4130 can be used in applications where large loads are common such as axles, gears, crankshafts and frames for off-road vehicles.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT 4130 STEEL IS

The 4130 steel is a type of low-carbon steel with chromium-molybdenum alloys.

4130 steel example in round bar shape/form

It’s part of the 41xx steel family and is known to possess tensile and yield strengths of 85,000 to 110,000 psi and 70,000 to 85,000 psi respectively.

And if you think that this strength is a common denominator across all types of steels, think again! The tensile strength of regular untreated steels sit anywhere between 53,700 and 63,800 psi – that’s enough to make you think how hard, tough, and strong 4130 steels are.

In the steel family of 41xx, 4130 is one of the most famous and the most prominent. Due to its physical properties, it abides by the rules and the regulations established by both the SAE and the AISI.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF 4130

To help you understand this particular steel more, here’s a quick breakdown of the chemical content of the 4130 steel.

The strength, ductility, and overall toughness of 4130 steel is due to its chemical composition

NOTE: This is based off of the standard of the ASTM; also, as per specified by the AISI and the SAE:

• ≤ 0.04% of Sulfur (S)
• 28% to 0.33% of Carbon (C)
• ≤ 0.035% of Phosphorus (P)
• 8% to 1.1% of Chromium (Cr)
• 15% to 0.35% of Silicon (Si)
• 15% to 0.25% of Molybdenum
• 7% to 0.9% of Manganese (Mn)

This is the regular chemical composition of the 4130 steel. But have you ever wondered why it’s called and deemed 4130 steel in the first place?

WHERE DOES THE TERM 4130 STEEL COME FROM?

In case you’re not aware, the term “4130” is because of its composition. The first (1^st) digit of the grade refers to the steel class and the alloying parts. The second (2^nd) digit is the symbol for the alloying elements’ relative percentages.

The last digits (3^rd and 4^th) is the representation of the carbon content in it – it’s shown in increments of 0.01%.

That being said, it’s easy to say that the 4130 steel is a part of the 41xx family (which is chromium-molybdenum steels with 1%, and about 0.30% of carbon.

HOW MUCH DOES 4130 WEIGH?

4130 weighs approximately 14lbs/ft or .25 lbs per inch of thickness. This means the 4130 steel tubing with a diameter of one inch will weigh about six pounds while 4130 sheet metal with a thickness of one eighth of an inch will weigh about 0.06 lbs per square foot.

WHAT ARE THE DIMENSIONS 4130?

The 4130 steel tubing has a diameter range from .188″ to nearly 13″. 4130 sheet metal is available in thicknesses ranging from less than 60 thousandths (0.060”) up to and exceeding two inches. 4130 tubing and 4130 sheet metal are available with an inside radius as small as one-half inch on tube sizes up through two inches in diameter.

HOW IS 4130 DIFFERENT FROM 4150 AND 4340?

4130 steel is stronger than 4150 or 4340. 4130 also has a higher fatigue limit, meaning it can withstand more stress over time before breaking. However, 4130 is lighter in weight than 4150 or 4340. This makes 4130 a good choice for applications where a high strength to weight ratio is important.

IS 4130 MAGNETIC?

No, 4130 steel is not magnetic. 4130 has a low carbon content and the addition of chromium and molybdenum helps to prevent the formation of magnetite. This makes 4130 less susceptible to corrosion and improves the hardness of the steel. 4130 is not magnetic which makes it ideal for welding and forming without creating any harmful effects to the steel.

WHAT DOES 4130 LOOK LIKE?

4130 has a black oxide finish that can be easily painted or powder coated over top of to protect against corrosion, oxidation or rusting after fabrication into parts. 4130 sheet metal has a dull finish with a slight sheen. 4130 tubing has a shiny finish and can be easily welded without causing any damage to the steel.

IS 4130 HEAT TREATED?

Yes, 4130 is heat treated using the quench and temper process. After the steel has been formed into its desired shape, it is heated to a high temperature and then quickly quenched in oil or water. This causes the steel to harden and temper, which gives it its strength and toughness. 4130 is typically tempered at a lower temperature than 4150 or 4340 to avoid any loss of toughness.

WHAT ARE THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF 4130?

The chemical composition of 4130 is as follows:

Carbon 0.28-0.33%

Manganese 0.70-0.85%

Phosphorus 0.035 max

Sulfur 0.040 max

Chromium 0.80-0.90%

Molybdenum 0.15-0.25%

Silicon 0.15 max 4130 steel has a carbon content of .28-.33%, manganese of 0.70-0.85%, phosphorus at 0.035%. 4130 also contains chromium and molybdenum, which are both used in the quench and temper process to provide 4130 with its strength and toughness. 4130 does not contain sulfur, but 4150 contains 0.15%.

WHAT IS THE TENSILE STRENGTH OF 4130?

4130 steel has a minimum yield or tensile strength at 55 KSI (80,000 PSI). This means that if you were to pull on two 4130 steel pieces with a force of 55,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) they would break. 4130 is much stronger than 4150 or 4340 but it also weighs more as well making 4130 best for applications that require high strength and low weight.

IS 4130 CORROSION RESISTANT?

Yes, 4130 has excellent corrosion resistance and can be easily painted or powder coated after fabrication. 4130 is corrosion resistant compared to 4150 which contains sulfur, making 4150 more susceptible to rusting as well as other forms of oxidation such as heat checking, pitting and crevice corrosion.

IS 4130 A GOOD MATERIAL FOR PROJECTS?

Yes! 4130 steel is an excellent material for projects. 4130 steel has great corrosion resistance and is easily welded, machined or formed without causing damage to the steel. 4130 does not contain sulfur like 4150 which makes 4130 less susceptible to rusting after fabrication into parts. Because 4130 weighs more than 4150 it is best used in applications that require a high strength to weight ratio. 4130 is also stronger than 4150 or 4340, making it a good choice for projects that need a high level of strength.

WHAT ARE THE APPLICATIONS FOR 4130?

Some common applications for 4130 steel include tubing, sheet metal, structural shapes and automotive parts. 4130 can be easily welded, machined or formed without causing damage to the 4130 steel. 4130 is great for applications where a high strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance are required such as in automotive parts including exhaust tubing and headers. 4130 can also be used in structural shapes because of its ability to withstand wear and tear from weathering or other types of corrosion. 4130 is not as tough as 4340, so it should not be used in applications that require a high amount of toughness.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 4130 AND 4150?

4130 has a carbon content of .28-.33%, manganese of 0.70-0.85%, phosphorus at 0.035%. 4130 also contains chromium and molybdenum, which are both used in the quench and temper process to provide 4130 with its strength and toughness. 4150 has a carbon content of .28-.33%, manganese at 0.70-0.85%, phosphorus at 0.035%. 4150 also contains sulfur, which 4130 does not contain. 4150 is used for applications that need a high strength and low weight such as in aircraft parts, gears and shafts. 4150 has greater toughness than 4130 so it can be used to make parts that require a higher level of toughness.

WHAT ARE THE USES FOR 4150?

4150 is a chromium-molybdenum alloy steel that is used in the quench and temper process to provide 4150 with its high strength and toughness. 4150 has a carbon content of .28-.33%, manganese at 0.70-0.85%, phosphorus at 0.035%. 4150 also contains sulfur, which 4130 does not contain. 4150 is used for applications that need a high strength and low weight such as in aircraft parts, gears and shafts. 4150 has greater toughness than 4130 so it can be used to make parts that require a higher level of toughness. 4150 is also corrosion resistant compared to 4130 which makes 4150 less susceptible to rusting after fabrication into parts. 4150 also has better weldability than 4130 steel, but 4130 is stronger and less tough than 4150 which makes it a good choice for applications that require high strength or low weight like automotive applications.

WHAT ARE THE PROPERTIES OF 4130?

The propertie s of 4130 include a carbon content of .28-.33%, manganese of 0.70-0.85%, phosphorus at 0.035%. 4130 also contains chromium and molybdenum, which are both used in the quench and temper process to provide 4130 with its strength and toughness. 4130 steel has a higher tensile strength than 4150 steel, making 4130 a good choice for applications that require high strength. 4130 is also corrosion resistant compared to 4150 which makes 4130 less susceptible to rusting after fabrication into parts.

WHAT ARE THE USES OF 4340?

The most common use of 4340 allows it to be used in structural shapes because of its ability to withstand wear and tear from weathering or other types of corrosion. 4340 is not as tough as 4130, so it should not be used in applications that require a high amount of toughness.

WHAT ARE THE PROPERTIES OF 4150?

The propertie s of 4150 include a carbon content of .28-.33%, manganese of 0.70-0.85%, phosphorus at 0.035%. 4150 also contains sulfur, which 4130 does not contain. 4150 is used for applications that need a high strength and low weight such as in aircraft parts, gears and shafts. 4150 has greater toughness than 4130 so it can be used to make parts that require a higher level of toughness. 4150 is also corrosion resistant compared to 4130 which makes 4150 less susceptible to rusting after fabrication into parts. 4150 also has better weldability than 4130 steel, but 4130 is stronger and less tough than 4150 which makes it a good choice for applications that require high strength or low weight like automotive applications.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 4130 AND 4340 STEEL?

4130 has a carbon content of .28-.33%, manganese of 0.70-0.85%, phosphorus at 0.035%. 4130 also contains chromium and molybdenum, which are both used in the quench and temper process to provide 4130 with its strength and toughness. 4150 has a carbon content of .28-.33%, manganese of 0.70-0.85%, phosphorus at 0.035%. 4150 also contains sulfur, which 4130 does not contain. 4150 is used for applications that need a high strength and low weight such as in aircraft parts, gears and shafts. 4150 has greater toughness than 4130 so it can be used to make parts that require a higher level of toughness. 4150 is also corrosion resistant compared to 4130 which makes 4150 less susceptible to rusting after fabrication into parts. 4340 has a carbon content of .38-.43%, manganese of 0.70-0.85%, phosphorus at .035%. 4340 also contains sulfur, which 4130 does not contain. 4340 is used for applications that need a high strength and wear resistance such as in aircraft parts, gears and shafts. 4340 has greater toughness than 4130 so it can be used to make parts that require a higher level of toughness. 4340 is also corrosion resistant compared to 4130 which makes 4150 less susceptible to rusting after fabrication into parts.

4130 STEEL VS. 4140 STEEL: WHICH ONE IS STRONGER?  

Now that we know how these grades are named and distinguished, it’s easier for us to know how 4130 steel is different from 4140 steel.

Image of 4140 steel stacked up on top of each other

In terms of composition, both 4130 and 4140 are similar. They’re both molybdenum-chromium steels, which is about 1% of them. The only difference is with the carbon content in the steel. 4130 has about 0.30%, while 4140 has 0.40%, and if you think it’s not a big difference, it is when they’re subject to highly elevated temperatures.

To answer the question, yes, 4140 steel is harder and stronger than 4130 steel. But, it’s more brittle and more likely to break under high impact and high-pressure situations.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON APPLICATIONS OF 4130 STEEL?

Do you really need to use 4130 steel? Or would a different type and kind of steel be better for your project or for your application?

Tubing and fittings are among the many applications of 4130 steel

4130 steel is a type of steel widely used in the structural and the construction industry. The most customary materials and components made in this industry include bearings and gears, drill bits, mills, lathes, and cutters, rock crushers, and many more.

Apart from that, though, you can find use of it in other uses and applications such as:

• Clutch, flywheel, and other automotive parts and components
• Gas bottles
• Bicycle parts and components
• Firearm components
• Roll cages
• And many more!

You will never have any type of shortage in finding the best applications for 4130 steel!

WHY YOU NEED TO USE 4130 STEEL

Unlike other types of steel, 4130 steel is moderately good in terms of weldability.

Furthermore, it’s also tough and strong, and it contains significant levels of ductility and precision. You can actually consider it as the all-around type of steel that you need!

Here are some of the other reasons why it is much better to use 4130 steel compared to other types of steel:

They’re Malleable

One of the most notable characteristics 4130 steels have is that they’re malleable. You can find them to be malleable even when they’re raw – just after production.

Therefore, you can cut, form, and shape them easily without the fear of losing strength, toughness, and overall durability.

They Can Be Smoothly-Finished

More often than not, 4130 steels are finished smoothly and flawlessly, and you can actually choose how the 4130 steel’s going to be polished!

They Have High Versatility in Application

Because of the extremities in its properties and characteristics, you can find many different uses and applications of 4130 steel.

You can use it in the construction or the structural sector, the automotive or the aerospace industry – and even in the production and the manufacturing of the parts and components of firearms, ships, defense articles, manufacturing equipment, and many more.

WHERE YOU CAN PURCHASE THE BEST QUALITY OF 4130 STEEL

Waldun Steel will never fail in providing the best and the highest quality of 4130 steel.

Whether you need 4130 steel in a round bar, a square or a rectangular bar, a plate, or a steel sheet, we’ll be able to help you!

Over the course of more than a decade, we have been trusted by thousands of businesses and companies from all around the world!

Like them, you can get world-class quality 4130 steel by working with us! Never settle for less! Work with us and get abundant supplies of 4130 steels in the best and the most competitive rates.