MIM 4605 Steel: Properties and Key Applications
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Table Of Content
Table Of Content
MIM 4605 Steel is a medium-carbon alloy steel primarily utilized in applications requiring a combination of strength, toughness, and wear resistance. Classified as a medium-carbon alloy steel, MIM 4605 contains significant amounts of alloying elements such as chromium, molybdenum, and nickel, which enhance its mechanical properties and overall performance.
Comprehensive Overview
MIM 4605 Steel is characterized by its balanced composition, which typically includes around 0.45% to 0.55% carbon, 0.5% to 1.0% manganese, and 0.5% to 0.8% chromium. The presence of these alloying elements contributes to its high strength and hardness, making it suitable for demanding engineering applications.
Key Characteristics:
- High Strength and Hardness: The medium carbon content allows for significant hardening through heat treatment, making MIM 4605 ideal for components subjected to high stress.
- Good Toughness: Despite its hardness, MIM 4605 maintains good toughness, which is crucial for applications where impact resistance is necessary.
- Wear Resistance: The alloying elements enhance wear resistance, making it suitable for parts that experience friction and abrasion.
Advantages:
- Versatile Applications: MIM 4605 is used in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and machinery, due to its excellent mechanical properties.
- Cost-Effective: Compared to higher alloy steels, MIM 4605 offers a good balance of performance and cost, making it an attractive option for many applications.
Limitations:
- Corrosion Resistance: While it has decent corrosion resistance, it may not perform as well as stainless steels in highly corrosive environments.
- Weldability Issues: The presence of carbon and alloying elements can complicate welding processes, requiring careful consideration of filler materials and techniques.
Historically, MIM 4605 has been recognized for its utility in manufacturing components such as gears, shafts, and structural parts, where strength and durability are paramount.
Alternative Names, Standards, and Equivalents
Standard Organization | Designation/Grade | Country/Region of Origin | Notes/Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
UNS | M4605 | USA | Closest equivalent to AISI 4140 |
AISI/SAE | 4605 | USA | Similar properties to 4340 but with different alloying elements |
ASTM | A681 | USA | Specification for tool steels |
EN | 1.7225 | Europe | Equivalent to 42CrMo4 |
DIN | 42CrMo4 | Germany | Minor compositional differences to be aware of |
JIS | SCM440 | Japan | Comparable grade with slight variations in composition |
The table above highlights various standards and equivalent grades for MIM 4605 Steel. Notably, while grades like AISI 4140 and 42CrMo4 are often considered equivalent, they may exhibit subtle differences in mechanical properties and heat treatment responses that could influence material selection for specific applications.
Key Properties
Chemical Composition
Element (Symbol and Name) | Percentage Range (%) |
---|---|
C (Carbon) | 0.45 - 0.55 |
Mn (Manganese) | 0.5 - 1.0 |
Cr (Chromium) | 0.5 - 0.8 |
Mo (Molybdenum) | 0.15 - 0.25 |
Ni (Nickel) | 0.3 - 0.6 |
Si (Silicon) | 0.2 - 0.5 |
P (Phosphorus) | ≤ 0.035 |
S (Sulfur) | ≤ 0.035 |
The primary alloying elements in MIM 4605 Steel play crucial roles:
- Carbon (C): Enhances hardness and strength through heat treatment.
- Chromium (Cr): Improves wear resistance and hardenability.
- Molybdenum (Mo): Increases strength at elevated temperatures and enhances toughness.
Mechanical Properties
Property | Condition/Temper | Test Temperature | Typical Value/Range (Metric) | Typical Value/Range (Imperial) | Reference Standard for Test Method |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tensile Strength | Quenched & Tempered | Room Temp | 800 - 1000 MPa | 116,000 - 145,000 psi | ASTM E8 |
Yield Strength (0.2% offset) | Quenched & Tempered | Room Temp | 600 - 850 MPa | 87,000 - 123,000 psi | ASTM E8 |
Elongation | Quenched & Tempered | Room Temp | 15 - 20% | 15 - 20% | ASTM E8 |
Hardness (HRC) | Quenched & Tempered | Room Temp | 28 - 35 HRC | 28 - 35 HRC | ASTM E18 |
Impact Strength | Charpy V-notch | -20 °C | 30 - 50 J | 22 - 37 ft-lbf | ASTM E23 |
The mechanical properties of MIM 4605 Steel make it suitable for applications requiring high strength and toughness. Its tensile and yield strengths indicate its capability to withstand significant loads, while its elongation percentage reflects good ductility, allowing for deformation without fracture. The hardness values suggest that it can maintain its shape and resist wear under operational conditions.
Physical Properties
Property | Condition/Temperature | Value (Metric) | Value (Imperial) |
---|---|---|---|
Density | Room Temp | 7.85 g/cm³ | 0.284 lb/in³ |
Melting Point/Range | - | 1425 - 1540 °C | 2600 - 2800 °F |
Thermal Conductivity | Room Temp | 45 W/m·K | 31 BTU·in/(hr·ft²·°F) |
Specific Heat Capacity | Room Temp | 460 J/kg·K | 0.11 BTU/lb·°F |
Electrical Resistivity | Room Temp | 0.00065 Ω·m | 0.0004 Ω·in |
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | Room Temp | 11.5 × 10⁻⁶/K | 6.4 × 10⁻⁶/°F |
The physical properties of MIM 4605 Steel are significant for its applications. For instance, its density indicates that it is a robust material, while its melting point suggests good performance at elevated temperatures. The thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity are essential for applications involving thermal cycling, ensuring that the material can dissipate heat effectively.
Corrosion Resistance
Corrosive Agent | Concentration (%) | Temperature (°C/°F) | Resistance Rating | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chlorides | 3-5 | 25 °C / 77 °F | Fair | Risk of pitting corrosion |
Sulfuric Acid | 10 | 20 °C / 68 °F | Poor | Not recommended |
Sodium Hydroxide | 5-10 | 25 °C / 77 °F | Fair | Susceptible to stress corrosion cracking |
Atmospheric | - | - | Good | Performs well in dry conditions |
MIM 4605 Steel exhibits moderate resistance to corrosion, particularly in atmospheric conditions. However, it is susceptible to pitting in chloride environments and should be avoided in applications involving strong acids like sulfuric acid. Compared to stainless steels, MIM 4605's corrosion resistance is limited, making it less suitable for marine or highly corrosive environments.
When compared to grades like AISI 4140 and 42CrMo4, MIM 4605 may show better wear resistance but falls short in corrosion resistance, particularly in aggressive environments.
Heat Resistance
Property/Limit | Temperature (°C) | Temperature (°F) | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|
Max Continuous Service Temp | 400 °C | 752 °F | Suitable for prolonged exposure |
Max Intermittent Service Temp | 500 °C | 932 °F | Short-term exposure |
Scaling Temperature | 600 °C | 1112 °F | Risk of oxidation beyond this temp |
Creep Strength considerations begin around | 400 °C | 752 °F | Creep may occur under load |
MIM 4605 Steel demonstrates good performance at elevated temperatures, making it suitable for applications involving heat exposure. However, care must be taken to avoid prolonged exposure beyond its maximum service temperatures, as this can lead to oxidation and reduced mechanical properties.
Fabrication Properties
Weldability
Welding Process | Recommended Filler Metal (AWS Classification) | Typical Shielding Gas/Flux | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
MIG | ER70S-6 | Argon + CO2 | Preheat recommended |
TIG | ER80S-Ni | Argon | Requires post-weld heat treatment |
Stick | E7018 | - | Avoid rapid cooling |
MIM 4605 Steel can be welded, but it requires careful consideration of preheating and post-weld heat treatment to avoid cracking. The recommended filler metals should match the alloying elements to ensure compatibility and maintain mechanical properties.
Machinability
Machining Parameter | MIM 4605 | AISI 1212 | Notes/Tips |
---|---|---|---|
Relative Machinability Index | 60% | 100% | Moderate machinability |
Typical Cutting Speed | 30 m/min | 50 m/min | Adjust for tool wear |
MIM 4605 exhibits moderate machinability, which can be improved with proper tooling and cutting conditions. It is essential to monitor tool wear and adjust cutting speeds accordingly to maintain efficiency.
Formability
MIM 4605 Steel is suitable for both cold and hot forming processes. However, due to its medium carbon content, it may experience work hardening during cold forming, necessitating careful control of bending radii and forming speeds to avoid cracking.
Heat Treatment
Treatment Process | Temperature Range (°C/°F) | Typical Soaking Time | Cooling Method | Primary Purpose / Expected Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Annealing | 600 - 700 °C / 1112 - 1292 °F | 1 - 2 hours | Air | Softening, improved ductility |
Quenching | 800 - 850 °C / 1472 - 1562 °F | 30 minutes | Oil or Water | Hardening, increased strength |
Tempering | 400 - 600 °C / 752 - 1112 °F | 1 hour | Air | Reducing brittleness, improving toughness |
Heat treatment processes significantly influence the microstructure and properties of MIM 4605 Steel. Quenching followed by tempering enhances hardness while maintaining toughness, making it suitable for high-stress applications. Annealing can be used to relieve stresses and improve machinability.
Typical Applications and End Uses
Industry/Sector | Specific Application Example | Key Steel Properties Utilized in this Application | Reason for Selection |
---|---|---|---|
Automotive | Gears | High strength, wear resistance | Essential for durability under load |
Aerospace | Structural components | Toughness, fatigue resistance | Critical for safety and performance |
Machinery | Shafts | High tensile strength, impact resistance | Required for operational reliability |
MIM 4605 Steel is commonly used in automotive and aerospace applications due to its excellent mechanical properties. Its high strength and toughness make it ideal for components that must endure significant stress and wear.
Other applications include:
- Industrial Equipment: Used in manufacturing machinery parts.
- Oil and Gas: Components for drilling and extraction equipment.
- Tooling: Suitable for making dies and molds due to its hardness.
Important Considerations, Selection Criteria, and Further Insights
Feature/Property | MIM 4605 | AISI 4140 | 42CrMo4 | Brief Pro/Con or Trade-off Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
Key Mechanical Property | High Strength | High Toughness | Good Wear Resistance | MIM 4605 offers a balance of properties |
Key Corrosion Aspect | Fair | Good | Fair | MIM 4605 is less resistant than stainless steels |
Weldability | Moderate | Good | Moderate | Requires careful pre/post-heat treatment |
Machinability | Moderate | Good | Moderate | MIM 4605 can be challenging to machine |
Formability | Good | Fair | Good | MIM 4605 is suitable for forming processes |
Approx. Relative Cost | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Cost-effective for high-performance applications |
Typical Availability | Common | Common | Common | Widely available in various forms |
When selecting MIM 4605 Steel, considerations include its mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and fabrication characteristics. While it offers a good balance of strength and toughness, its limitations in corrosion resistance may necessitate protective coatings or alternative materials in specific environments.
In summary, MIM 4605 Steel is a versatile medium-carbon alloy steel that excels in applications requiring high strength and toughness, making it a valuable material in various engineering sectors.