Alloy Steel Forgings
Forged alloy steel is a steel that has had small amounts of one or more alloying elements, other than carbon, added to its overall content. These added elements can include manganese, silicon, nickel, titanium, copper, chromium, aluminum and more. These added elements create specific properties for forgings that are not found in regular carbon steel forgings. In addition, alloy steels have become increasingly popular due to their availability, lower economical cost, excellent mechanical properties and ease of processing.
If you have any questions regarding custom alloy steel forging contact us, or request a quote for an in-depth price analysis.
Forged Alloy Steel Applications and Industries
- Crankshafts
- Machine Parts
- Fasteners
- Gearing
Alloy Steel Forging Options & Characteristics
Depending on your project needs there are a wide range of available options when it comes to alloy steel grades. As an alloy steel forging manufacturer our alloy steels can be heat treated to improve their machinability, strength and ductility. By adding certain elements to your steel, you will see a wide range of differing results, including the following:
- Nickel & Copper – Improves corrosion resistance, while adding increased strength.
- Chromium, Vanadium, Molybdenum & Tungsten – These elements will increase strength through the formation of second phase carbides.
- Manganese, Silicon, Nickel & Copper – The addition of these elements increases strength by forming solid solutions in ferrite, which is ideal for extreme heat exposure.
- Molybdenum – When molybdenum is added by itself it helps the steel resist embrittlement.
- Cobalt, Chromium & Nickel – These added elements improve retention of strength and ductility at higher service temperatures.
- Silicon & Nickel – Retention of ductility and impact is increased is improved at low service temperatures through the addition of these elements.
The industry that is utilizing the forged alloy steel and its intended application will dictate the type of alloy steel forging that is necessary.
Alloy Steel Grades
- 4130
- 4140
- 4150
- 4340
- 4340AQ
- A105
- Nitralloy 135MOD
Additional steel grades and specifications are available upon request.
Open-Die Forged Alloy Steel
Through the open-die alloy steel forging process thermal and mechanical energy is applied to steel billets or ingots, which then changes the shape of the alloy while in a solid state. Open-die forged alloy steel products are stronger and more reliable than castings since forging involves alteration of the grain flow imitating the shape of the part. The thermal cycle and deformation process leads to grain refinement and recrystallization which eventually strengthens the resulting steel product.
Additionally, as an open-die alloy steel forgings manufacturer our specifications include: AISI, ASTM, AMS, API, SAE, ASME, AWS, JIS and GB. Our forgings are available in many custom shapes and heat treated conditions to achieve critical physical properties, such as tensile, yield, elongation and reduction of area for the desired end use as specified by the purchaser.
Forged alloy steel is manufactured with small amounts of one or more alloying elements besides carbon added to its overall content. These elements can include manganese, silicon, nickel, titanium, copper, chromium, aluminum and more, creating specific properties for forgings that are not found in standard carbon steel forgings. In addition, alloy steel forgings have become increasingly popular due to their availability, lower economic cost, excellent mechanical properties, and ease of processing.
Contact us for more information regarding our mild, medium, and high alloy steel forging options, or request a quote for specific pricing information today. Great Lakes Forge is your trusted source for premium alloy steel forging and part production.
Why Alloy Steel Forging?
Parts manufactured from forged alloy steel contain specific properties not found in standard carbon steel. Alloy steel forgings are also economical, widely available, easy to process, display good mechanical properties, and are more responsive to heat and mechanical treatments than standard carbon steel forgings.
Alloy Steel Forging Advantages
At Great Lakes Forge, we understand the value of creating advanced quality alloy steel forgings for your project needs. Some of the main benefits of utilizing forged alloy steel include the following:
- It eliminates the occurrence of shrinkage, porosity, and cavities which are usually encountered in castings
- High wear resistance
- Tougher and more robust than cast steels
- High strength is reinforced through added elements that have been introduced to the carbon steel
- The impact strength of forged alloy steel is higher than that of casted steel
Forged Alloy Steel grades
Alloy steel forgings are typically available in mild, medium, and high carbon-based formats with added alloying elements to support project specifications. Forged alloy steel grades include:
- 4130
- 4140
- 4150
- 4340
- 4340AQ
- A105
- Nitralloy 135MOD
* Additional steel grades and specifications are available upon request.
Forged Steel Alloy Characteristics
GLF’s alloy steels can be heat treated to improve their machinability, strength and ductility. By adding certain elements to your steel, you will see a wide range of differing results, including the following:
- Nickel & Copper – Improves corrosion resistance while adding increased strength.
- Chromium, Vanadium, Molybdenum & Tungsten – These elements will increase strength by forming second-phase carbides.
- Manganese, Silicon, Nickel & Copper – The addition of these elements increases strength by forming solid solutions in ferrite, which is ideal for extreme heat exposure.
- Molybdenum – When molybdenum is added by itself, it helps the steel resist embrittlement.
- Cobalt, Chromium & Nickel – These added elements improve retention of strength and ductility at higher service temperatures.
- Silicon & Nickel – Retention of flexibility and increased impact are improved at low service temperatures by adding these elements.
What is the Open-Die Forged Alloy Steel Manufacturing Process
Through the open-die alloy steel forging process, thermal and mechanical energy is applied to steel billets or ingots, which then change the shape of the alloy while in a solid state. Open-die forged alloy steel products are more robust and reliable than castings since forging involves alteration of the grain flow, imitating the shape of the part. The thermal cycle and deformation process lead to grain refinement and recrystallization, strengthening the resulting steel product.
Open-Die Alloy Steel Forging Specifications
As an open-die alloy steel forgings manufacturer, our specifications include: AISI, ASTM, AMS, API, SAE, ASME, AWS, JIS and GB. Our forgings are available in many custom shapes and heat-treated conditions to achieve critical physical properties, such as tensile, yield, elongation, and area reduction for the desired end use as specified by the purchaser.
Forged Alloy Steel Applications
GLF’s alloy steel forgings are ideal for nearly any industry, including oil & gas, press repair, aerospace, mining, power generation, and many more. Specific forged alloy steel applications often include:
- Crankshafts
- Machine Parts
- Fasteners
- Gearing
Contact Great Lakes Forge for Premium Alloy Steel Forgings Today
At Great Lakes Forge, we have the experience, resources, and capabilities to exceed all your custom open-die alloy steel forging needs. Request a quote today on the custom alloy steel forgings you need, or contact Great Lakes Forge for more information.