Chrome moly steel is a unique engineering material with enhanced corrosion resistance and high-temperature performance. These ideal chemical and thermal properties are accompanied by high tensile strength, which makes it preferable to the likes of mild carbon steel products for demanding areas of application.
For reference, chrome moly steel plate can be engineered to withstand tensile loads approaching 760 megapascals (MPa), exceeding typical mild carbon steels by a factor of over two to one (nominal yield strength of 370 MPa). This strength comes courtesy of the added molybdenum (Mo) content of chrome moly steels; a valuable refractory metal that elevates the alloy’s performance on multiple fronts without inhibiting its workability.
As chrome moly steel can be easily formed and welded with exceptional properties in the worked condition, it has become a crucial engineering material for aerospace applications.
Using Chrome Moly Steel in Aerospace Engineering
Aluminum and mild steel have been used in the production of aircrafts for decades, but chrome moly steel is increasingly utilised in aerospace engineering too. As mentioned, the molybdenum content of the alloy vastly increases its strength without impacting ductility or workability. Although the weight is still prohibitive when it comes to building aircraft tubing and fuselages, chrome moly steel is widely used throughout aircraft superstructures as welded structural parts and assemblies.
The high-temperature performance and superior chemical resistance of chrome moly steel compared to carbon alloys has allowed it to almost entirely supplant carbon steels in aircraft design. In the aerospace sector, material performance is intrinsically linked to flight safety. This underscores virtually all materials used in aircraft engineering, but few systems require the levels of consideration required of the engine environment or landing gears.
Chrome moly steel is routinely used to support jet engines and landing systems owing to its outstanding manifold of thermomechanical and chemical properties. It can easily withstand harsh weather conditions and thermal cycling associated with high altitudes and offers routine performance during landing to guarantee the safety of passengers and crew.
Read More: Chrome Moly Steel for Automotive Applications
Chrome Moly Steel Products from Masteel
Masteel is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of chrome moly steel for engineering applications, offering a variety of plate widths and thicknesses alongside accurate in-house cutting and profiling services. If you would like any more information about our general stockholding, or would like to place an order with us, simply contact a member of the Masteel sales team today.