4140 Vs. 4130 Steel: Choosing The Suitable One To Start Your Business

4130 vs. 4140 steel

Steel is a vital industrial commodity that is used extensively in manufacturing. Many options are available, but two of the most popular choices are 4140 and 4130 steel. So, which one should you choose? As a leading corporation in this field, we will compare and contrast 4140 and 4130 steel in this blog post so that you can decide which one is right for you. 

What Are The Differences Between 4140 Steel And 4130 Steel?

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Chemical Composition

The chemical composition of 4130 and 4140 are both very similar. They contain a high amount of chromium and molybdenum, which gives them strength and durability. They also have a small amount of carbon, which makes them resistant to wear and tear.

However, there are also some differences between these two. You can check the below table for details.

CSiMnSPCrMo
AISI 41400.38~0.430.15~0.350.75~1.00≤0.035≤0.0400.80~1.100.15~0.25
AISI 41300.28~0.330.15~0.350.40~0.60≤0.035≤0.0400.80~1.100.15~0.25

Mechanical Properties 

The two materials have very similar mechanical properties. Differences can be concluded that 4140 is slightly higher in both tensile and yield strength than 4130. 4140 also has a higher amount of carbon in its composition, which gives it slightly higher hardness and wear resistance than 4130. 4140 steel can be heat treated to achieve various properties, such as increased hardness or improved machinability.

The below charts will give you a more directive way to learn the difference between these two materials.

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Chart 1 The Mechanical Properties Of Aisi 4140 Alloy Steel
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Chart 2 The Mechanical Properties Of Aisi 4140 Alloy Steel

Corrosion Resistance comparison

They both have excellent corrosion resistance. However, 4140 steel is more resistant to corrosion than 4130 steel. This is because 4140 steel contains more chromium than 4130 steel.

Chromium is an element that gives stainless steel its corrosion-resistant properties. Therefore, 4140 steel is better able to withstand corrosion than 4130 steel.

Temperature Resistance Comparison

They have different thermal expansion coefficients. 4140 steel has a higher expansion coefficient than 4130 steel. This means that 4140 steel will expand more at high temperatures and contract more at low temperatures.

This can be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on the application. For example, if you were welding 4140 steel to 4130 steel, the 4140 steel would expand more than the 4130 steel. This could cause cracking or warping. However, if you were using 4140 steel in a high-temperature application, the increased expansion could help to prevent distortion.

4140 steel also has a higher melting point than 4130 steel. This means it can withstand higher temperatures before softening or melting. 

In short, 4140 steel is stronger and harder than 4130 steel regarding temperature resistance. This makes it more suitable for applications where they might be exposed to extreme temperatures. 

Temperature Resistance

Lasting Durability Comparison

There are several important differences between 4140 steel and 4130 steel in terms of durability.

First, 4140 steel is significantly harder than 4130 steel. This makes 4140 steel much more resistant to wear and tear and extends its lifespan considerably.

Second, 4140 has a higher carbon content than 4130 steel. This gives it superior strength and toughness, making 4140 steel less likely to break or shatter under stress.

Third, 4140 is easier to heat treat than 4130 steel. This allows for greater control over the final properties of the material and makes the 4140 steel more versatile for different applications.

Weldability and Formability Comparison

4140 steel and 4130 steel have similar weldability properties. Both can be welded using all common welding methods.

However, 4140 steel is easier to weld than 4130 steel. This is because the carbon content in 4140 steel is lower than that of 4130 steel, which makes it more malleable. Additionally, the manganese content in 4140 steel helps offset carbon’s effects on weldability. 

4130 steel also has good formability properties. But its high carbon content makes it more difficult to form than 4140 steel. What’s more, the higher carbon content in 4130 steel can make it more brittle. So, while they have good weldability and formability properties, 4140 steel is the better choice for welding and forming operations.

Price & Cost Comparison

4140 steel is more expensive than 4130 steel. The price difference is due to the different processes used to create each type of steel and the addition of alloys.

4140 steel contains chromium and molybdenum as alloying elements, while 4130 has chromium, molybdenum, and manganese. 4140 is typically more readily available and cost-efficient in bar and plate forms.

However, 4130 is more commonly obtained in tube and sheet forms. So consider your budget and choose a more suitable one to save costs. 

Industry applications comparison 

Both are popularly used in manufacturing numerous products, including but not limited to fasteners, gears, shafts, axle shafts, forgings, valves, connecting rods, spindles, tool holders, and various other machined and heat-treated parts. More details are attached below.

What are the applications of 4140 steel?

4140 steel can be used for various applications, depending on the desired result. Some common uses for 4140 steel are for making gears, sprockets, and cams.

Additionally, it can be used to create tooling and machinery parts. It is also frequently used as a base metal for creating alloy steels with higher strength and hardness levels.

Finally, 4140 steel is often used in oil and gas for drill bits and other tools.

Temperature Resistance

What are the applications of 4130 steel?

4130 steel is a chromium molybdenum alloy widely used in many applications due to its weldability, hardenability, and strength. Common applications for 4130 steel include:

  • Aircraft frames and components
  • Pipe fittings and tubing
  • Automotive parts and components
  • Roll cages
  • Welding wire
  • Structural applications

4130 steel can also be used for many other applications not listed here. If you have a specific application for which you would like to use 4130 steel, please consult a professional to see if it is feasible.

Related Article:

Key Differences Between Alloy Steel And Carbon Steel: What You Need To Know

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How to choose the right one for your project?

When selecting between 4140 and 4130 steel, it is essential to consider various factors such as strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

Both types of steel are commonly used in industrial applications due to their excellent mechanical properties.

One of the key differences between these two sheets of steel is that 4140 contains chromium and molybdenum while 4130 does not. This means that 4140 offers higher hardness and toughness levels than its counterpart.

However, this also makes it more expensive than 4130 steel which has lower amounts of alloying elements but is still strong enough for many applications.

We provide various metal materials for CNC machining. In addition, our team of experts will help you complete the project to ensure that the proper methods and materials are used to implement your project.

Conclusion

The above are some key differences between 4140 steel and 4340 steel. I hope you will find them helpful. If you still find it hard to decide which type you should pick up, do not worry. You can contact us; we will gladly assist you further.

You can also click the below link to browse our CNC machining services for these two kinds of material at your convenience.

FAQ:

Q: Are there any heat treatment options for 4140 and 4130 steel?

Annealing:

The annealing process involves heating the steel to a high temperature (above its critical temperature) and then allowing it to cool slowly. This process relieves stress in these two steel, making them more pliable and tough. It is often used before machining or cold working.

Normalizing:

Normalizing involves heating these two pieces of steel to a high temperature (above their critical temperature) and then allowing them to cool in the air. This process results in a more uniform microstructure and improves the mechanical properties of the steel. It is often used before hardening or other thermal treatments.

Hardening:

Hardening involves heating these two pieces of steel to a high temperature (above its critical temperature) and then quenching them in oil or water. This process results in harder and stronger steel.

Tempering:

Tempering involves heating these two pieces of steel to a high temperature (below their critical temperature) and then allowing them to cool slowly. This process relieves stress in these two pieces of steel, making them more pliable and tough. It is often used after hardening or other thermal treatments.