Pietenpol-List: 4130 vs. 4140
Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2003 7:51 am
Original Posted By: "Robert Haines"
I couldn't help but add one comment to the 4140 steel issue.4140 is higher in carbon.It is pretty much equivalent to 4130 except it is more susceptible to crackingas a result of welding.(It's also a little harder to drill, saw and file in the normalized condition)If you are going to use 4140, please be sure to normalize or anneal any welds afterfabrication just to be safe.You might also find that any laser cut edges are going to have a skin of very hardmetal at the cut edges. Its just a few thousandths thick and will grind offeasily but it is noticeably harder than the rest of the part.Nothing really wrong with it and the resulting parts will actually be strongerif done correctly.Keep us posted on how these parts work out.Bob SeibertFinally done rib stitching!________________________________________________________________________________
I couldn't help but add one comment to the 4140 steel issue.4140 is higher in carbon.It is pretty much equivalent to 4130 except it is more susceptible to crackingas a result of welding.(It's also a little harder to drill, saw and file in the normalized condition)If you are going to use 4140, please be sure to normalize or anneal any welds afterfabrication just to be safe.You might also find that any laser cut edges are going to have a skin of very hardmetal at the cut edges. Its just a few thousandths thick and will grind offeasily but it is noticeably harder than the rest of the part.Nothing really wrong with it and the resulting parts will actually be strongerif done correctly.Keep us posted on how these parts work out.Bob SeibertFinally done rib stitching!________________________________________________________________________________