want to make up a new front steering arm and dont want to weld anything. i could machine one up from 4140 (we have some laying around at work). would this be too brittle? i know it work hardens but the only load it will get is end load (not flex) so this shouldnt matter should it?
Andrew
Notice: We request that you don't just set up a new account at this time if you are a previous user.
If you used to be one of our moderators, please feel free to reach out to Chris via the facebook Outerlimits4x4 group and he will get you set back up with access should he need you.
If you used to be one of our moderators, please feel free to reach out to Chris via the facebook Outerlimits4x4 group and he will get you set back up with access should he need you.
Recovery:If you cannot access your old email address and don't remember your password, please click here to log a change of email address so you can do a password reset.
One for the metalurgests 4140 for steering arms?
Moderators: toaddog, TWISTY, V8Patrol, Moderators
Andrew,
4140 is not brittle. Elongation will be about 15% when tempered within the usual temperature range for this material.
Although the elongation is less than plain carbon steels, given the high tensile strength, much more energy will be required to cause failure and other parts will break first.
4140 is normally supplied hardened and tempered. In this condition it can be machined with carbide tools.
4140 is not brittle. Elongation will be about 15% when tempered within the usual temperature range for this material.
Although the elongation is less than plain carbon steels, given the high tensile strength, much more energy will be required to cause failure and other parts will break first.
4140 is normally supplied hardened and tempered. In this condition it can be machined with carbide tools.
John
metal
My friend can make me parts out of space grade aluminium, would this be strong enough? 
Sorry about the hijack
Sorry about the hijack
Kind Regards,
Brad
Brad
Re: metal
Sorry I have never heard of that grade.LuxyBoy wrote:My friend can make me parts out of space grade aluminium, would this be strong enough?
Sorry about the hijack
Steel has an endurance limit, no aluminium alloy does.
That means that aluminium will fail from fatigue eventually, so I doubt that it will be possible to have aluminium steering arms engineered.
John
not that im going to, but have you ever welded any 4140? i've heard many mixed opinions on the process. some say dont weld it at all, others say pre-heat to 150-200 and use a Low hydrogen rod, others reccomend pre- heat and mig (s4) or tig (mild filler) and cool in sand.giantracing wrote:i make all my stuff for my customers out of 4140. never had one complaint. i have winched off mine never bent
Andrew.
It can be welded.
If stick welding, use low hydrogen. For MIG, normal LW1 is OK.
It has to be pre-heated. The critical thing is to be careful that it does not get too hot from the welding process. Weld a little then let it cool back down to the pre-heat temp, before continuing. Don't build up a lot of weld in one area - alternate where you weld so as not to cause local high temps. Preferably keep checking the temp with crayons or better still with a not contact thermometer.
When the welding is finished ensure it cools slowly.
If stick welding, use low hydrogen. For MIG, normal LW1 is OK.
It has to be pre-heated. The critical thing is to be careful that it does not get too hot from the welding process. Weld a little then let it cool back down to the pre-heat temp, before continuing. Don't build up a lot of weld in one area - alternate where you weld so as not to cause local high temps. Preferably keep checking the temp with crayons or better still with a not contact thermometer.
When the welding is finished ensure it cools slowly.
John
4140 Brittle???? I thik you may have it confussed. My rear lower trailing arms are 4140 and are welded. They have copped an absolute hiding through competitions and are still straight as.
Having said that I have bent snake racing gear (3140), and wouldn't wish it upon a Jap on ANZAC day.
4140 is strong, even when welded. Many speedway cars ( such as the current Wanless car) have the entire frame done in 4140.
Having said that I have bent snake racing gear (3140), and wouldn't wish it upon a Jap on ANZAC day.
4140 is strong, even when welded. Many speedway cars ( such as the current Wanless car) have the entire frame done in 4140.
Cheers
Linc
[quote="chimpboy"]Punctuation is the difference between 'I helped my Uncle Jack off his horse' and 'I helped my uncle jack off his horse.'[/quote]
Linc
[quote="chimpboy"]Punctuation is the difference between 'I helped my Uncle Jack off his horse' and 'I helped my uncle jack off his horse.'[/quote]
at work ,i have seen a few 4140 shafts fatigue and crack on a welded section when not prepared properly.BIG GQ wrote:4140 Brittle???? I thik you may have it confussed. My rear lower trailing arms are 4140 and are welded. They have copped an absolute hiding through competitions and are still straight as.
Having said that I have bent snake racing gear (3140), and wouldn't wish it upon a Jap on ANZAC day.
4140 is strong, even when welded. Many speedway cars ( such as the current Wanless car) have the entire frame done in 4140.
andrew
The section where 4140 is welded will never be anywhere near as good as the parent material. If it is welded at a critical section, expect it to fail there.
Trailing arms may have welded ends, but the stresses there are much lower than can be seen mid way along, when the link is hung-up on a rock with up to half the weight of the truck on it.
Trailing arms may have welded ends, but the stresses there are much lower than can be seen mid way along, when the link is hung-up on a rock with up to half the weight of the truck on it.
John
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests