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MMPDS-11
1 July 2016

2.5 HIGH-ALLOY STEELS

2.5.0 COMMENTS ON HIGH-ALLOY STEELS — The high-alloy steels in this section are those steels
that are substantially higher in alloy content than the intermediate alloy steels described in Section 2.4 but
are not stainless steels. The 18 Ni maraging and AF1410 steels are in this category.

2.5.0.1 Metallurgical Considerations — The 18 Ni maraging steels are iron-based alloys

with nominally 18 percent nickel, 7 to 9 percent cobalt, 3 to 5 percent molybdenum, less than 1 percent
titanium, and very low carbon content (below 0.03 percent). Upon cooling from the annealing or hot-working
temperature, these steels transform to a soft martensite that can be easily machined or formed. The steels can
be subsequently aged (maraged) to high strengths by heating to a lower temperature (900EF).

AF1410 is an iron-based alloy with nominally 14 percent cobalt, 10 percent nickel, 2 percent
chromium, 1 percent molybdenum, and 0.15 percent carbon. When quenched from austenitizing
temperatures, AF1410 forms a highly dislocated lath martensitic structure with very little twinning or retained
austenite. At aging temperatures ranging from 900E to 1000EF, a precipitation of extremely fine alloy carbide
containing chromium and molybdenum occurs, which simultaneously develops strength and toughness
properties.

2.5.0.2 Environmental Considerations — The stress corrosion cracking resistance of high-

strength steels is of concern for highly loaded structural components such as landing gears and wing attach
fittings that are subjected to corrosive environments such as sea spray or water. Figure 2.5.0.2(a) indicates
the relative, average stress corrosion cracking resistance of several high-strength steel alloys. Figure
2.5.0.2(b) shows the relative, approximate lower bound stress corrosion cracking resistance of these same
high-strength steel alloys. The approximate mean and lower bound curves were calculated for each material
based on an assumed log-linear relationship between time to failure and crack tip stress intensity, KI,

Log(t) - A0 + A1 log(KI - A2) [(2.5.0.2)]

The standard error of estimate (SEE) for each material determined with the above equation was used
to calculate the approximate lower bound curves (2 SEE below each mean curve.)

The data in these figures were obtained from Reference (2.5.0.2). The stress corrosion cracking
threshold stress intensity (KIscc) for each steel was defined as the value at which cracking did not occur. For
most of these alloys, this value is about 20 ksi/in. As indicated, there is a definite difference in the stress
corrosion resistance between the alloys.

In general, the high-strength steels do not reach a true threshold stress intensity until after 1000 hours
of exposure. The highest stress corrosion cracking resistance in high-strength steels is associated with low
carbon levels and lath martensite microstructure containing a fine distribution of M2C type carbides; alloys
AF1410 and AerMet 100. The effect of low carbon is indicated in Figures 2.5.0.2(a) and 2.5.0.2(b) between
the 0.15%C AF140 and 0.20%C AF1410.. The lower stress cracking corrosion resistance is associated with
higher carbon and the martensite is of plate morphology that exhibits a twinned structure; alloys 4340 and
300M. A slight anisotropic effect was observed for Hy-Tuf (TL vs LT); however, the effect was not apparent
for AF1410. The differences in anisotropic properties may be due to differences in the cleanliness of the
steels since Hy-Tuf was an air-melted product and the others were either vacuum induction melted (VIM)
or electroslag remelted (ESR).

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Figure 2.5.0.2(a). The relative average stress corrosion cracking

resistance of several high strength steels tested in an environment of
3.5% NaCl (Reference 2.5.0.2).

Figure 2.5.0.2(b). The relative lower-bound (-2 SEE) stress corrosion

cracking resistance of several high strength steels tested in an
environment of 3.5% NaCl (Reference 2.5.0.2).

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2.5.1 18 NI MARAGING STEELS

2.5.1.0 Comments and Properties — The 250 and 280 (300) maraging steels are normally
supplied in the annealed condition and are heat treated to high strengths, without quenching, by aging at
900EF. The steels are characterized by high hardenability and high strength combined with good toughness.
The 250 and 280 (300) designation refers to the nominal yield strengths of the two alloys. The two alloys
are available in the form of sheet, plate, bar, and die forgings. Only the consumable electrode vacuum-melted
quality grades are considered in this section.

Manufacturing Considerations — The 250 and 280 grades are readily hot worked by conventional
rolling and forging operations. These grades also have good cold-forming characteristics in spite of the
relatively high hardness in the annealed (martensitic) condition. The machinability of the 250 and 280 grades
is not unlike 4330 steel at equivalent hardness. The 18 Ni maraging steels can be readily welded in either
the annealed or aged conditions without preheating. Welding of aged material should be followed by aging
at 900EF to strengthen the weld area.

Environmental Considerations — Although the 18 Ni maraging steels are high in alloy content, these
grades are not corrosion resistant. Since the general corrosion resistance is similar to the low-alloy steels,
these steels require protective coatings. The 250 grade reportedly has better resistance to stress corrosion
cracking than the low-alloy steels at the same strength.

Specifications and Properties — Material specifications for these steels are shown in Table
2.5.1.0(a). The room temperature properties for material aged at 900EF are shown in Tables 2.5.1.0(b) and
2.5.1.0(c), and the effect of temperature on physical properties is shown in Figure 2.5.1.0.

Table 2.5.1.0(a). Material Specifications for 18 Ni Maraging Steels

Grade Specification Form
250 AMS 6520a Sheet and plate
250 AMS 6512 Bar
280 (300) AMS 6514 Bar

a Inactive for new design.

2.5.1.1 Maraged Condition (aged at 900EF) — Effect of temperature on 250 and 280 grade
maraging steel is presented in Figures 2.5.1.1.1 through 2.5.1.1.4. Figures 2.5.1.1.6(a) and 2.5.1.1.6(b) are
room and elevated temperature tensile stress-strain curves. Typical compressive stress-strain and
tangent-modulus curves at room temperature are presented in Figures 2.5.1.1.6(c) and 2.5.1.1.6(d). Figure
2.5.1.1.6(e) is a full-range stress-strain curve at room temperature for 280 grade maraging steel.

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Table 2.5.1.0(b). Design Mechanical and Physical Properties of 250 Grade Maraging
Steel
Specification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . AMS 6520a AMS 6512
Form.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheet Plate Bar
Condition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maraged at 900EF Maraged at 900EF
Thickness or diameter, in. .. . . #0.187 0.187-0.250 >0.250 <4.000 4.000-10.000
Basis.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S S S S S
Mechanical Properties:
Ftu ksi:
L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 252 ... 255 245
T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 255 255 255 245
Fty, ksi:
L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 242 ... 250 240
T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 245 245 250 240
Fcy, ksi:
L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221 ... ... 260 ...
T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 255 ... ... ...
Fsu, ksi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 155 ... 148 ...
Fbru, ksi:
(e/D = 1.5). . . . . . . . . . . . . 327 352 ... ... ...
(e/D = 2.0). . . . . . . . . . . . . 444 448 ... ... ...
Fbry, ksi:
(e/D = 1.5). . . . . . . . . . . . . 278 324 ... ... ...
(e/D = 2.0). . . . . . . . . . . . . 353 354 ... ... ...
e, percent:
L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... 6 5
b b b
T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3
RA, percent:
L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... 45 30
T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... 35 20
E,103 ksi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.5
Ec, 103 ksi:
L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28.2
T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29.4
3
G, 10 ksi.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...
ì.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.31
Physical Properties:
ù, lb/in.3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.286
C, K, and á. . . . . . . . . . . . . . See Figure 2.5.1.0
a Inactive for new design
b Elongation properties vary with thickness as follows:
#0.090 2.5%
0.091-0.125 3.0%
0.126-0.250 4.0%
0.251-0.375 5.0%
$0.376 6.0%

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Table 2.5.1.0(c). Design Mechanical and Physical Properties of 280 Grade Maraging
Steel
Specification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AMS 6514
Form.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bar
Condition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maraged at 900EF
Thickness or diameter, in. .. . . . <4.000 4.000-10.000
Basis.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S S
Mechanical Properties:
Ftu ksi:
L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 275
T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280 275
Fty, ksi:
L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 270
T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 270
Fcy, ksi:
L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 ...
T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ...
Fsu, ksi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 ...
Fbru, ksi:
(e/D = 1.5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ...
(e/D = 2.0). . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ...
Fbry, ksi:
(e/D = 1.5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ...
(e/D = 2.0). . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ...
e, percent:
L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 4
T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2
RA, percent:
L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 25
T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 20
E,103 ksi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.5
Ec, 103 ksi:
L. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28.6
T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29.6
G, 103 ksi.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...
ì.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.31
Physical Properties:
ù, lb/in.3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.286
C, K, and á. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . See Figure 2.5.1.0

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Figure 2.5.1.0. Effect of temperature on the physical properties of 250 and 280
maraging steels.

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Figure 2.5.1.1.1. Effect of temperature on the tensile ultimate strength (Ftu) and
the tensile yield strength (Fty) of 250 and 280 maraging steel sheet and plate.

Figure 2.5.1.1.2. Effect of temperature on the shear ultimate strength (Fsu) and
the compressive yield strength (Fcy) of 250 and 280 maraging steel sheet and
plate.

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Figure 2.5.1.1.3. Effect of temperature on the bearing ultimate strength (Fbru) and
the bearing yield strength (Fbry) of 250 and 280 maraging steel sheet and plate.

Figure 2.5.1.1.4. Effect of temperature on the tensile and compressive moduli (E

and Ec) of 250 and 280 maraging steel.

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Figure 2.5.1.1.6(a). Typical tensile response through yield for 250 grade maraging
steel bar, at room and elevated temperatures.

Figure 2.5.1.1.6(b). Typical tensile response through yield for 280 grade maraging
steel bar, at room and elevated temperatures.

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Figure 2.5.1.1.6(c). Typical compressive stress-strain and compressive tangent-

modulus response through yield for 250 grade maraging steel bar at room
temperature.

Figure 2.5.1.1.6(d). Typical compressive stress-strain and compressive tangent-

modulus response through yield for 280 grade maraging steel bar at room
temperature.

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MMPDS-11
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Figure 2.5.1.1.6(e). Typical tensile stress-strain response through failure for 280
grade maraging steel bar at room temperature.

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