Crucible Steel Sheet,Plate,MAXEL® Tooling Alloy Steel Sheet,Plate, AISI 4140 Modified

Crucible Steel Sheet/Plate MAXEL® Tooling Alloy Steel Sheet/Plate, AISI 4140 Modified Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Crucible Steel Sheet/Plate MAXEL® Tooling Alloy Steel Sheet/Plate, AISI 4140 Modified Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Crucible Steel MAXEL® Tooling Alloy Steel, AISI 4140 Modified Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Product Introduction: Crucible Steel MAXEL® (Modified AISI 4140) Tooling Alloy Steel** Crucible Steel MAXEL® is a premium, oil-hardening alloy steel specifically engineered as a **modified and enhanced version of the industry-standard AISI 4140**. It is designed to bridge the gap between general-purpose alloy steels and dedicated tool steels, offering a superior combination of **high strength, excellent toughness, good hardenability, and exceptional dimensional stability during heat treatment**. MAXEL® is optimized for demanding tooling, die, and machinery component applications where the performance of standard 4140 is insufficient, but the full alloy content and cost of a traditional tool steel like A2 or D2 may not be justified. The "modified" aspect of its chemistry involves tighter compositional controls and strategic adjustments to elements like silicon, molybdenum, and vanadium. These enhancements provide improved through-hardening characteristics, better resistance to tempering, superior fracture toughness, and reduced susceptibility to quench cracking. MAXEL® is the material of choice for high-stress components that require reliable performance under cyclic loading, impact, or high pressure, making it a versatile and cost-effective engineering solution for critical applications. --- ## **1. Chemical Composition (Weight %)** MAXEL® builds upon the 4140 foundation with refined alloy ranges and additions for enhanced performance. | **Element** | **Carbon (C)** | **Chromium (Cr)** | **Molybdenum (Mo)** | **Manganese (Mn)** | **Silicon (Si)** | **Vanadium (V)** | **Sulfur (S)/Phosphorus (P)** | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Content** | 0.38 - 0.43 | 0.90 - 1.20 | 0.20 - 0.30 | 0.75 - 1.00 | **0.30 - 0.60** | **0.03 - 0.08** | ≤ 0.025 (each) | | **Role** | Provides core strength and hardenability. Optimized for a balance of hardness and toughness. | Increases hardenability, wear resistance, and provides moderate corrosion resistance. | Enhances hardenability (especially in thicker sections), improves strength, and increases resistance to tempering. | Primary agent for hardenability and strength; aids in deoxidation. | **Enhanced level.** Increases strength and hardness, significantly improves resistance to tempering and oxidation. | **Key modifier.** Refines grain structure, enhancing toughness, strength, and resistance to fatigue. | Impurities strictly controlled to maximize cleanliness, ductility, and impact strength. | *Note: Iron (Fe) constitutes the remainder. Compared to standard 4140 (C: 0.38-0.43, Cr: 0.8-1.1, Mo: 0.15-0.25, Si: 0.15-0.35), MAXEL® typically features higher and controlled Si, Mo, and the intentional addition of V.* --- ## **2. Physical & Mechanical Properties** *Properties are highly dependent on the heat-treated condition. Commonly used in the quenched and tempered state at various hardness levels (e.g., 28-36 HRC for tough components, or 45-52 HRC for wear applications).* * **Density:** ~7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³) * **Modulus of Elasticity:** ~205 GPa (29.7 x 10⁶ psi) * **Thermal Conductivity:** Moderate. * **Hardenability:** **Excellent.** The modified composition provides very good through-hardening in substantial sections (exceeding standard 4140), typically represented by a high ideal critical diameter (D_I). * **Hardness (Typical Working Range):** **28 - 52 HRC.** Highly versatile. * **High Toughness:** 28-36 HRC (Tempered at ~540-650°C / 1000-1200°F) * **High Strength/Wear:** 45-52 HRC (Tempered at ~205-425°C / 400-800°F) * **Tensile & Yield Strength:** **Very High.** At a hardness of 50 HRC, tensile strength can exceed 1650 MPa (240 ksi). Offers an excellent strength-to-toughness ratio. * **Impact Toughness (Charpy):** **Exceptional for its strength level.** The fine-grained vanadium-modified microstructure provides superior fracture toughness compared to standard 4140, especially in the transverse direction. * **Fatigue Strength:** **Excellent.** Well-suited for components undergoing cyclic stress. * **Dimensional Stability:** **Very Good.** When properly oil quenched and tempered, distortion is predictable and manageable, superior to many water-hardening steels. --- ## **3. Heat Treatment** * **Annealing:** Heat to 830-860°C (1525-1580°F), slow cool. Annealed hardness: ≤ 217 HB. * **Normalizing:** Heat to 870-900°C (1600-1650°F), air cool. Prepares for hardening and refines grain structure. * **Austenitizing (for hardening):** **830-860°C (1525-1580°F).** A common temperature is **845-855°C (1555-1575°F)**. * **Quenching:** **Oil quench.** Use a fast, well-agitated oil. The enhanced hardenability allows for full hardening in thicker sections than standard 4140 with reduced risk of distortion. * **Tempering:** **Mandatory.** Temper immediately after quenching. Temperature is selected based on desired hardness and toughness. * **For High Toughness (28-36 HRC):** Temper at **540-650°C (1000-1200°F)** for 1-2 hours per inch of thickness. * **For High Strength (45-52 HRC):** Temper at **205-425°C (400-800°F)**. * **Avoid the 375-475°C (700-900°F) range** for extended times to minimize temper embrittlement risk. A double temper is often beneficial. --- ## **4. Key Applications** MAXEL® is an ideal upgrade for components where standard 4140 fails or requires a safety factor. * **High-Strength Tooling & Die Components:** Die holders, bolster plates, mold bases, and injection molding machine components. * **Heavy-Duty Machinery Parts:** Gears, shafts, spindles, connecting rods, and hydraulic cylinder components subjected to high stress and fatigue. * **Oil & Gas and Aerospace Components:** Valve bodies, fittings, landing gear parts, and other critical structural applications. * **Plastic Molds:** For high-pressure structural foam molding or large molds requiring high strength and toughness. * **Machine Tool Structures:** Critical frames, slides, and clamps requiring stability and durability. --- ## **5. International Standards & Cross-References** MAXEL® is a proprietary modified version of AISI 4140/4142. It meets or exceeds the requirements of several high-quality specifications. * **AISI/SAE:** **Modified 4140/4142** * **UNS:** G41400 (as a reference base) * **ASTM:** Often conforms to **A829** for alloy steel plates with improved properties. * **European (EN):** Similar in performance to a premium-quality **1.7225 / 42CrMo4+** with enhanced toughness. * **Aerospace:** May meet specifications such as **AMS 6382** or **AMS 6529** for high-strength, high-toughness steel. * **Common Industry Equivalents:** Often compared to other proprietary "super 4140" grades like **Uddeholm Orvar 2**, **Böhler M202**, or **DIN 1.2312** modified for higher strength. --- ## **6. Advantages & Limitations** **Advantages (vs. Standard 4140):** * **Higher Hardenability & Strength:** Achieves better properties in larger cross-sections. * **Superior Toughness & Impact Strength:** The vanadium addition provides a finer grain and better fracture resistance. * **Improved Temper Resistance:** Higher silicon content helps retain hardness at elevated temperatures. * **Better Consistency & Cleanliness:** Tighter controls on composition and impurities. * **Reduced Risk of Quench Cracking:** More forgiving during heat treatment due to modified hardenability. **Limitations:** * **Higher Cost:** More expensive than commodity-grade 4140. * **Not a Stainless Steel:** Requires protection against corrosion. * **Not an Abrasion-Resistant Tool Steel:** Wear resistance at low hardness is inferior to dedicated tool steels like D2; for severe abrasion, surface hardening may be required. * **Requires Proper Heat Treatment:** To achieve its designed properties. --- ## **7. Summary** **Crucible Steel MAXEL® is a high-performance engineering steel that redefines the capabilities of the 4140 family.** It is not merely a material but a reliability upgrade for critical applications. By incorporating vanadium for grain refinement and optimizing silicon and molybdenum content, MAXEL® delivers a combination of deep hardenability, exceptional toughness, and high strength that standard 4140 cannot match. For engineers and designers working on high-stress tooling, heavy machinery, or structural components where failure is not an option, MAXEL® provides a proven, cost-effective material solution that enhances performance, extends service life, and reduces risk. It is the intelligent choice when the application demands more than standard 4140 but does not require the full specialization of a high-alloy tool steel. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Crucible Steel MAXEL® Tooling Alloy Steel, AISI 4140 Modified Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <6982 mm Size:We can customized as required Standard： Per your request or drawing We can customized as required Properties（Theoretical） Chemical Composition -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Crucible Steel MAXEL® Tooling Alloy Steel, AISI 4140 Modified Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Crucible Steel Sheet,Plate MAXEL® Tooling Alloy Steel Sheet,Plate, AISI 4140 Modified -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Crucible Steel Sheet,Plate MAXEL® Tooling Alloy Steel Sheet,Plate, AISI 4140 Modified -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Crucible Steel Sheet/Plate MAXEL® Tooling Alloy Steel Sheet/Plate, AISI 4140 Modified -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Standard Packing: -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and Steel Sheet/Plate drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 3453 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request. E FORUs’ is carefully handled to minimize damage during storage and transportation and to preserve the quality of our products in their original condition