？
1. Introduction
EN 14NiCrMo13-4 is a high strength, low alloy, heat treatable steel. It is typically used for forging or pressing gears, pinions, shafts, and other components that require a high strength to weight ratio and abrasion resistance. The EN 14NiCrMo13-4 alloy is an ingeniously designed alloy and has several uses, varying from aerospace components to mining machinery.
Due to its excellent balance of toughness, fatigue strength, and thermal stability, EN 14NiCrMo13-4 is especially suited for parts and tools working in environments with extreme temperatures and under heavy mechanical loading. The combination of carbides and alloys gives EN 14NiCrMo13-4 excellent wear and tear resistance, while its fine grain size, low carbon content, and low alloy content make it easier to work with, allowing it to be used in a variety of metalworking processes.
2. Properties and Characteristics
EN 14NiCrMo13-4 is a hard, strong alloy and is easily worked cool or hot, increasing its versatility. It is heat-treatable, and is resistant to corroding and abrasion. The alloy’s high carbon content contributes to a hardness of around HRC 55. It may also be treated to have a higher tensile strength. It has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, making it ideal for high temperature applications.
The composition of the alloy includes Nickel (14%), Chromium (13%), Molybdenum (4%), Carbon (0.3%), and Manganese (2%). These elements contribute to the mechanical and physical properties of the alloy, such as its ultimate tensile strength of 1050-1350 MPa, 0.2% yield strength of 805-1095 MPa, and its elongation at break of 12-15%.
3. Applications
Due to its high level of wear and tear resistance, EN 14NiCrMo13-4 is typically used for parts and tools which require extreme durability in abrasive environments, such as mining and the oil and gas industries. The excellent balance of strength and toughness makes it an ideal choice for components requiring a high level of strength and fatigue resistance such as aerospace parts, pins, shafts, and gears.
In the automotive industry, EN 14NiCrMo13-4 is frequently used for camshafts, crankshafts, lifters, and pistons. It is also used for fasteners, such as screws, bolts, and rivets, as well as for shafts or rods for piston rods in hydraulic cylinders.
4. Heat Treatment & Welding
The heat treatability of EN 14NiCrMo13-4 allows it to be hardened and tempered to achieve different levels of mechanical properties. The alloy is typically heated up to 900°C and cooled quickly, resulting in martensitic microstructure.
Welding EN 14NiCrMo13-4 is not recommended as it is an unweldable alloy to parts due to its brittleness. If it must be welded, it is important to use low-heat input welding processes and avoid hammering the welds, due to its sensitivity to cracking in stressed areas.
5. Conclusion
In conclusion, EN 14NiCrMo13-4 is a hardened, low-alloy steel which is ideal for applications that require a combination of high strength and abrasion-resistance. It exhibits excellent wear and tear resistance due to its combination of carbides and alloys, and its low carbon content and low alloy content makes it easier to work with. Its heat treatability and low thermal expansion makes it a popular choice for automotive and aerospace components, as well as for mining and oil and gas industry components. Welding the alloy is not recommended due to its sensitivity to cracking.
