42CrMoS4 steel is a structural, alloyed steel for quenching and tempering. It can be easily machined and heat-treated. It contains slightly more sulfur in its chemical composition than 42CrMo4 steel. It is a material with high strength and ductility. As a result of its good mechanical properties, it is intended for the manufacture of machine and equipment components subjected to variable bending and torsional loads.
The higher sulfur content causes it to combine with manganese, among others, to form MnS-type sulfides, which reduce the ductility of the steel. Sulfur is a harmful impurity and also occurs in the form of FeS-type sulfides, causing the steel to become brittle during hot forming.
The steel is very difficult to weld, because the carbon content leads to the formation of cracks in the heat affected zone (SWC), and the presence of sulfur leads to high-temperature embrittlement. If welding is necessary, additional heat treatment must be carried out. On the other hand, the advantage of sulfur addition is improved machinability.
The presence of other alloying elements affects the hardenability of this steel.
Steel 42CrMoS4 chemical composition
| Designation | C % max | Mn % max. | Si % max | Cr % max | P % max. | S % max. | Ni % max. | Mo % max. | W % max. | V % max. | Cu % max. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 42CrMoS4 | 1.7227 | 0,38 - 0,45 | 0,60 - 0,90 | 0,40 | 0,90-1,20 | 0,025 | 0,02-0,04 | 0,30 | 0,15-0,30 | 0,20 | 0,05 | 0,40 |
Steel 42CrMoS4 mechanical properties
| Steel | Mechanical properties | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade | Rp0.2 [MPa] | Rm [MPa] | Hardness HB | Elongation % [MPa | Impact strength |
| 42CrMoS4 | ≥650 | 720 | 217 | ≥10 | ≥35 J (-20°C) |
42CrMoS4 steel application
42CrMo4 steel is used for a variety of machine parts and for components applied in vehicles, working in harsh conditions and subject to wear. They can be:
- machine parts, axles, axle joints, rods, crank rods, crankshafts, drive shafts, gear shafts, pinions, rims, backing plates.
Steel grade 42CrMo(S)4+QT is most often intended for machine components with very high strength and ductility, as well as for components exposed to variable loads such as:
- Axles, crankshafts, gears, discs, rotors, levers, pushers.
| EU EN | Steel number |
| 42CrMoS4 | 1.7227 |
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