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Steel SCM440 Annealed

Temper

JIS SCM440 · EN 42CrMo4

Choose for heavy machining, cold forming or deep-hole drilling before final hardening.

CNC machiningSheet metalStandard cost $$

Values for the Annealed condition

Other SCM440 tempers and conditions

SCM440 is listed in 11 conditions; see the grade overview at SCM440.

Compare all 11 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
AnnealedThis page
full/spheroidize annealed, softest condition
Choose for heavy machining, cold forming or deep-hole drilling before final hardening.41565525197 HB—
Cold rolled
Thin strip/sheet stock with tight thickness and a clean surface, for stamped parts later hardened.5507501317 HRC7.8 % IACS
HRDefault
Hot rolled
Cheapest stock form for parts that will be machined then heat treated by the fabricator.5908801725 HRC—
860–880 °C air cooled
Uniform fine grain and mid-range strength; used as pre-treatment before machining/hardening or as final state for low-stress parts.6551,02017.532 HRC—
Quenched and high-temperature tempered
Maximum toughness / NACE-friendly hardness cap for pressure and downhole components.7208602024 HRC—
Cold drawn
Pick for near-net-size shafts and turned parts needing good surface finish and straightness without further grinding.7509001226 HRC—
Q&T then gas/plasma nitrided (500–540 °C)
Low-distortion hard case (~0.2–0.5 mm, 550–650 HV) for wear and fatigue-critical shafts and screws.8509801255 HRC7.8 % IACS
Quenched and tempered
Standard supply condition for shafts, gears and machine parts needing balanced strength and toughness.8801,0001630 HRC—
Induction hardened
For journals, splines and guideways needing a wear-resistant 52–58 HRC case over a tough Q&T core.8801,0001455 HRC7.8 % IACS
Quenched and medium-temperature tempered
Higher-strength shafts, high-tensile bolting and moulds where toughness is still needed.1,0601,1801436 HRC—
Quenched and low-temperature tempered
Highest strength/wear condition for pins, dies and rams; accept low impact toughness and hydrogen-embrittlement risk when plating.1,2801,4001142 HRC—

What is SCM440 Annealed?

SCM440 Annealed is SCM440 in the Annealed temper — choose for heavy machining, cold forming or deep-hole drilling before final hardening. SCM440 Annealed has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). SCM440 Annealed has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,416°C (2,581 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Annealed is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Easy to machine — 65/100, better than 93% of steel grades
  • Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 25%, better than 77% of steel grades

SCM440 Annealed properties

Typical room-temperature values for SCM440 Annealed; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are SCM440 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

SCM440 Annealed has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,416°C (2,581 °F).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,416°C2,581 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,465°C2,669 °F

Mechanical16

SCM440 Annealed has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)655 MPa95 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)415 MPa60.2 ksi
Elongation at Break25%
Reduction in Area57%
Compressive Strength600 MPa87 ksi
Shear Strength415 MPa60.2 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)330 MPa47.9 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)95 MPa·√m86.5 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)55 J40.6 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell197 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C25 HRC
Hardness, Vickers207 HV

Thermal6

SCM440 Annealed is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 42.6 W/m·K (24.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 51% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.3 µm/m·K (6.83 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity42.6 W/m·K24.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity473 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.3 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion247 J/g106 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)400°C752 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

SCM440 Annealed conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity7.8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.6 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryNo inherent corrosion resistance: rusts in humid air, attacked by dilute acids and chlorides; susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement above ~40 HRC after acid pickling or electroplating. Requires oil, phosphate, black oxide, Zn/Ni plating or paint.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of SCM440 Annealed takes about 29 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 53% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)29 MJ/kg12,468 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.1 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability6

SCM440 Annealed's machinability is good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability good (55/100).

MachinabilityGood65/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)65%
WeldabilityFair50/100
Formability (cold)Good55/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood55/100
PolishabilityGood65/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with SCM440 Annealed

Is SCM440 easy to machine?

Machines best at 200–280 HB with coated carbide, ~120–180 m/min turning; above 40 HRC switch to CBN/ceramic or grind.

Can SCM440 be welded?

Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables but requires 250–350 °C preheat, interpass control and immediate PWHT/temper at 600–650 °C to avoid HAZ cracking.

Can SCM440 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge at 1100–1200 °C then normalize; cold bending only in the annealed condition with generous radii (≥3t).

What surface finishes work on SCM440?

Not corrosion resistant — use black oxide, phosphate, Zn or Zn-Ni plating, or nitriding; bake 190–220 °C for 4 h after plating parts above ~35 HRC to relieve hydrogen.

SCM440 chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CJIS G4053 SCM4400.38 – 0.430.4
Si0.15 – 0.350.25
Mn0.6 – 0.90.75
P≤ 0.03
S≤ 0.03
Cr0.9 – 1.21.05
Mo0.15 – 0.30.22
Niresidual, max≤ 0.25
Curesidual, max≤ 0.3
Febalance

SCM440 Annealed — frequently asked

What is SCM440 Annealed used for?

SCM440 Annealed is typically used for drive shafts, crankshafts and industrial bolts. In short: workhorse Cr-Mo Japanese bar.

What is the yield strength of SCM440 Annealed?

SCM440 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 11 listed tempers.

Is SCM440 Annealed easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades). Machines best at 200–280 HB with coated carbide, ~120–180 m/min turning; above 40 HRC switch to CBN/ceramic or grind.

Can SCM440 Annealed be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables but requires 250–350 °C preheat, interpass control and immediate PWHT/temper at 600–650 °C to avoid HAZ cracking.

What surface finishes work on SCM440 Annealed?

Not corrosion resistant — use black oxide, phosphate, Zn or Zn-Ni plating, or nitriding; bake 190–220 °C for 4 h after plating parts above ~35 HRC to relieve hydrogen.

Can SCM440 Annealed be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forge at 1100–1200 °C then normalize; cold bending only in the annealed condition with generous radii (≥3t).

What is the maximum service temperature of SCM440 Annealed?

SCM440 Annealed is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between SCM440-HR and SCM440-IH?

HR is the default condition — cheapest stock form for parts that will be machined then heat treated by the fabricator. IH: for journals, splines and guideways needing a wear-resistant 52–58 HRC case over a tough Q&T core. Yield strength is 590 MPa in HR versus 880 MPa in IH.

Can FabDigit make parts in SCM440 Annealed?

Yes — SCM440 Annealed is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. JIS G 4053 — Low-alloyed structural steels for machine structural use — JSA (2016)
  2. GB/T 3077 — Alloy structural steels (42CrMo) — SAC (2015)
  3. ASTM A29/A29M & A322 (AISI 4140) — ASTM (2020)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
  6. 42CrMo4 / 4140 heat-treatable steel datasheet — Böhler / Ovako (2022)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.