Military Process Specification for Type 46XX Powder-Forged Weapon Components

摘要

The open literature was searched for information on the processing and properties of power-forged (P/F) 46XX and 10XX steels. Graphs were constructed which compared the reported P/F material properties to those of equivalent American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) wrought grades. The favorable comparisons demonstrated the feasibility of powder forging as a practical manufacturing technology. The technical and economic feasibility of manufacturing thirty small-caliber weapon components by powder forging was addressed. Several components were identified as promising candidates. A comprehensive testing program on P/F 46XX steel was conducted at three carbon levels, four levels of deformation and four states of temper. The data were used to develop a military specification for powder-forged weapon components. Handbook data on the currently-used wrought alloys were used to prepare interchangeability tables and graphs to aid designers in selecting appropriate P/F steels.