AISI 8620 Steel is a low alloy nickel, chromium, molybdenum case
hardening steel, generally supplied in the as rolled condition with
a maximum hardness max HB 255. It is commonly supplied in 8620
round bar.
It is flexible during hardening treatments, thus enabling
improvement of case/core properties. Pre hardened and tempered
(uncarburized) 8620 can be further surface hardened by nitriding.
However, it will not respond satisfactorily to flame or induction
hardening due to its low carbon content.
Steel 8620 is suited for applications which require a combination
of toughness and wear resistance.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
| Element | C | Mn | Si | P | S | Mo |
| 4140 | 0.38~0.43% | 0.75~1.0% | 0.15~0.30% | 0.035% | 0.04% | 0.15~0.25% |
| 4130 | 0.28~0.33% | 0.70~0.90% | 0.15~0.35% | 0.035% | 0.04% | 0.15~0.25% |
| 4340 | 0.38%~0.43% | 0.60~0.80% | 0.15~0.35% | 0.035% | 0.04% | 0.20~0.30% |
| 5140 | 0.38~0.48% | 0.70~0.90% | 0.15~0.35% | 0.035% | 0.04% | - |
| 8620 | 0.18~0.23% | 0.70~0.90% | 0.15~0.35% | 0.035% | 0.04% | 0.15~0.25% |
HEAT TREATMENT OPTION
- +A: Annealed (full/soft/spheroidizing)
- +N: Normalized
- +NT: Normalized and tempered
- +QT: Quenched and tempered (water/oil)
FABRICATION AND HEAT TREATMENT
Machinability
Long, gummy chips characterize this alloys machinability. It can be
machined in the annealed condition, however condition H1150M will
yield best results. Post machining solution treatment of parts will
be required prior to final hardening if machining in this
condition.
WeldingSuccessfully welded by common fusion and resistance methods, this
alloy should not be joined by oxyacetylene welding. AWS E/ER630
filler metal is recommended if required.
Heat Treatment
CONDITION A--Soak at 1900 F (1038 C) for 30 minutes and cool below
60 F (16 C) for complete martensite transformation. CONDITION H
950- Treat Condition A material at 900 F(482 C) for 1 hour, air
cool.. CONDITION H925, H1025, H1075, H1100, H1150- Soak solution
treated material for 4 hours at specified temperature, air cool,
CONDITION H1150M- Soak solution treated material at 1400 F (760 C)
for 2 hours, air cool, then re-heat to 1150 F (620 C) for 4 hours
and air cool.
Forging
Soak for 1 hour at 2150 F (1177 C) prior to forging. Do not work
below 1850 F (1010 C). Post-work solution treatment is required
prior to final hardening.
Stress Relieving
For pre-hardened steel stress relieving is achieved by heating
steel 4340 to between 500 to 550°C. Heat to 600 °C – 650 °C, hold
until temperature is uniform throughout the section, soak for 1
hour per 25 mm section, and cool in still air.
Annealing
A full anneal may be done at 844°C (1550 F) followed by controlled
(furnace) cooling at a rate not faster than 10°C (50 F) per hour
down to 315°C (600 F). From 315°C 600 F it may be air cooled.
Tempering
AISI 8620 alloy steel should be in the heat treated or normalized
and heat treated condition before tempering. The tempering
temperature for depends upon the strength level desired. For
strength levels in the 260 – 280 ksi range temper at 232°C (450 F).
For strength in the 125 – 200 ksi range temper at 510°C (950 F).
And don’t temper the 4340 steels if it is in the 220 – 260 ksi
strength range as tempering can result in degradation of impact
resistance for this level of strength.
Tempering should be avoided if possible within the range 250 °C –
450 °C due to temper brittleness.
