What is 1.7227 steel?
1.7227 is the European material number for 42CrMoS4, a low-alloy chromium-molybdenum steel for quenching and tempering. It is covered by EN 10083-3, and by EN ISO 683-2 since 2018. It carries 0.38 to 0.45 % carbon, 0.90 to 1.20 % chromium and 0.15 to 0.30 % molybdenum. The S in the name means sulphur is held between 0.020 and 0.040 % to improve machinability. That is the only difference from 42CrMo4 (1.7225).
Chromium raises hardenability and tempering resistance. Molybdenum adds hardenability and suppresses temper embrittlement, so thick sections can be tempered between 540 and 680 °C without losing toughness. Carbon at about 0.42 % sets the hardness that can be reached. The result is a steel that gives 900 to 1100 MPa tensile strength in medium sections while holding 12 % elongation and 35 J of Charpy energy. Cr-Mo steels of this type account for a large share of all quenched and tempered engineering steel in service.
The controlled sulphur forms fine manganese sulphide inclusions. These break the chip and lubricate the cutting edge, so the grade turns, drills and mills faster than 42CrMo4 at the same hardness. Transverse ductility and impact toughness drop slightly in return, because the sulphides are elongated in the working direction. On parts that lose a lot of metal to machining, the trade is usually worth making. On parts loaded across the working direction at low temperature, specify 1.7225.
We supply 1.7227 as forged product only, meaning open-die forgings and seamless rolled rings. Forging closes centreline porosity from the ingot and lays grain flow along the main stress direction, around the hoop in a rolled ring and along the axis in a shaft. A rolled ring in 1.7227 will beat a ring flame-cut from plate of the same chemistry in fatigue life and in burst strength.
1.7227 or 1.7225? Choosing between 42CrMoS4 and 42CrMo4
Drawings often allow either grade. The two share the same chemistry envelope apart from sulphur, and EN 10083-3 sets identical mechanical minima for both. Choose on machining volume and on how the part is loaded.
| Attribute | 42CrMoS4, 1.7227 | 42CrMo4, 1.7225 |
|---|---|---|
| Sulphur | 0.020 to 0.040 % controlled | 0.035 % max |
| C, Si, Mn, Cr, Mo, P | Identical to 1.7225 | Identical to 1.7227 |
| Specified mechanical minima | Same as 1.7225 in EN 10083-3 | Same as 1.7227 in EN 10083-3 |
| Machinability | Better. Typically 10 to 25 % higher cutting speed or tool life | Baseline |
| Transverse toughness | Slightly lower, from elongated MnS inclusions | Higher |
| Surface finish after turning | Cleaner, chips break readily | Stringier chips at low feed |
| Weldability | Poorer. Sulphur raises hot-cracking risk | Limited, but better than 1.7227 |
| Polishing and plating | Sulphides can open as pits | Preferred |
| Best for | High-volume machined parts: shafts, gear blanks, valve stems, fasteners | Welded parts, transversely loaded parts, low-temperature duty, polished surfaces |
Table compiled by Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. from EN 10083-3 and normal forging-shop practice. See also our pages on 1.7225 forgings, 42CrMo4 and 42CrMoS4.
Ordering note. A drawing calling for 42CrMo4 is not automatically satisfied by 1.7227. If the sulphur range matters to your qualification, state the material number and not just the chemical name. We forge both and supply whichever the specification names.
1.7227 equivalent grades worldwide
This steel is ordered under at least a dozen designations. All of the entries below describe the same Cr-Mo alloy system. We accept purchase orders under any of them, and issue a material test certificate listing every specification the heat satisfies.
| Country or body | Standard | Designation |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | EN 10083-3, EN ISO 683-2 | 42CrMoS4, 1.7227 |
| Germany | DIN 17200 / EN | 42CrMoS4, W.Nr. 1.7227 |
| United States | ASTM A29 / A322, SAE J404 | 4140, 4142 (nearest) |
| United States | UNS | G41400 / G41420 |
| Japan | JIS G4053 | SCM440, SCM440H |
| China | GB/T 3077 | 42CrMo |
| United Kingdom | BS 970 | 708M40, 709M40 |
| France | AFNOR NF A35-552 | 42CrMo4, 40CD4 |
| Italy | UNI 7845 | 42CrMo4 |
| Spain | UNE 36051 | F.1252 |
| Sweden | SS 14 | 2244 |
| Russia | GOST 4543 | 38KhM |
| India | IS 1570 | 40Cr4Mo3 |
| Rings and bearings | ISO 683-17 | B43 |
Source: Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. cross-reference, compiled from the standards named in the table. Equivalents are guides for enquiry, not substitutions. Chemistry limits, tolerances, test frequency and acceptance criteria differ between standards, so every order should name one governing specification.
Chemical composition of 1.7227
The table below is the specification range we forge to, taken from EN 10083-3 for 42CrMoS4. Every heat carries a ladle analysis on the mill certificate. Product analysis on the finished forging is available on request.
| Element | Symbol | Min % | Max % | Function in the steel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon | C | 0.38 | 0.45 | Sets attainable hardness and strength |
| Silicon | Si | none | 0.40 | Deoxidiser, small solid-solution gain |
| Manganese | Mn | 0.60 | 0.90 | Hardenability, binds sulphur as MnS |
| Phosphorus | P | none | 0.025 | Impurity limit, embrittles grain boundaries |
| Sulphur | S | 0.020 | 0.040 | Controlled addition for machinability |
| Chromium | Cr | 0.90 | 1.20 | Hardenability and tempering resistance |
| Molybdenum | Mo | 0.15 | 0.30 | Hardenability, suppresses temper embrittlement |
| Iron | Fe | Balance | Matrix | |
Source: EN 10083-3 grade 42CrMoS4, as forged by Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. Melting route is electric arc furnace with ladle refining and vacuum degassing (EAF + LF + VD). Vacuum degassing is standard on our 1.7227 heats and keeps hydrogen low enough to avoid flaking in heavy sections.
Mechanical properties of 1.7227 in the +QT condition
Alloy steel properties fall as section size grows, because the quench cannot cool the core as fast as the surface. EN 10083-3 therefore sets minima against a ruling section. The values below are what we certify on 1.7227 forgings in the quenched and tempered condition. Results on the mill certificate normally sit above them.
| Ruling section d | Yield Rp0.2 | Tensile Rm | Elongation A | Impact KV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| d up to 16 mm | 900 MPa / 131 ksi | 1100 to 1300 MPa | 10 % | not specified |
| 16 to 40 mm | 750 MPa / 109 ksi | 1000 to 1200 MPa | 11 % | 35 J |
| 40 to 100 mm | 650 MPa / 94 ksi | 900 to 1100 MPa | 12 % | 35 J |
| 100 to 160 mm | 550 MPa / 80 ksi | 800 to 950 MPa | 13 % | 35 J |
| 160 to 250 mm | 500 MPa / 73 ksi | 750 to 900 MPa | 14 % | 35 J |
Source: EN 10083-3 mechanical property table for 42CrMoS4 and 42CrMo4 in the +QT condition, as certified by Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. Yield, elongation and impact figures are minima; tensile strength is a range. Tensile testing to ISO 6892-1 or ASTM E8. Charpy V-notch, longitudinal, to ISO 148-1 or ASTM E23. Above 250 mm ruling section, properties are agreed at enquiry and demonstrated on a test prolongation from the same heat and the same heat-treatment charge.
Two points follow from this table. Quoting the small-section figures on a large ring or a heavy shaft will leave the certificate and the design assumption out of step, so state the ruling section and the test position on the drawing. And oil quenching through-hardens 1.7227 to roughly 60 mm diameter. Above that the core is a mixed structure and core properties fall away, which is what the table records. For heavy sections needing higher core strength, move to a nickel-bearing grade such as 34CrNiMo6.
Hardness and delivery conditions
We deliver 1.7227 forgings in whichever condition the drawing calls for. State the target hardness band and the test location. On rings and discs, hardness is normally taken at mid-wall on a machined face after the final temper.
| Condition | Code | Brinell HBW | Approx. HRC | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft annealed | +A | 241 max | 22 max | Machining stock, parts hardened later by the customer |
| Treated for shearability | +S | 255 max | 24 max | Sawing and cropping of bar |
| Normalised | +N | agreed | agreed | Grain refinement before final heat treatment |
| Quenched and tempered, sour-service temper | +QT | 197 to 235 | 18 to 22 | Oil and gas parts limited by NACE MR0175 |
| Quenched and tempered, general engineering | +QT | 269 to 331 | 28 to 35 | Shafts, gear blanks, couplings, valve bodies |
| Flame or induction hardened surface | none | see HRC | 53 min | Journals, spline flanks, wear surfaces |
| Gas nitrided case | none | 600 to 650 HV | see HV | Gear teeth, pump plungers, wear parts with tight distortion limits |
Source: Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. Conversions between HBW, HRC and HV are approximate and follow ISO 18265. The certificate reports the scale actually measured, not a conversion.
Physical and thermal properties
| Property | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ | 0.284 lb/in³ |
| Modulus of elasticity, 20 °C | 210 GPa | 30 500 ksi |
| Shear modulus | 80 GPa | 11 600 ksi |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.30 | 0.30 |
| Thermal conductivity, 20 °C | 42.6 W/m·K | 296 BTU·in/hr·ft²·°F |
| Specific heat capacity, 20 °C | 460 J/kg·K | 0.110 BTU/lb·°F |
| Thermal expansion, 20 to 100 °C | 11.1 × 10⁻⁶ /K | 6.2 × 10⁻⁶ /°F |
| Thermal expansion, 20 to 300 °C | 12.9 × 10⁻⁶ /K | 7.2 × 10⁻⁶ /°F |
| Electrical resistivity, 20 °C | 0.22 µΩ·m | 132 Ω·circ mil/ft |
| Melting range | 1420 to 1460 °C | 2590 to 2660 °F |
| Magnetic response | Ferromagnetic in every delivery condition | |
| Carbon equivalent CEV, typical | 0.80 | 0.80 |
Source: Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd., consolidated from published 42CrMo4 and 42CrMoS4 datasheets. Physical properties are not certified values. They vary a few per cent with heat treatment and temperature. CEV calculated as C + Mn/6 + (Cr + Mo + V)/5 + (Ni + Cu)/15 on mid-range chemistry.
Heat treatment of 1.7227 forgings
The cycles below run in calibrated furnaces, with recorded time and temperature charts covering the whole load. Charts are issued with the mill certificate. If your specification prescribes different temperatures or soak times, send it with the enquiry, because heat treatment drives both lead time and price on this grade.
| Operation | Temperature | Soak | Cooling | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forging | 1100 to 1200 °C start | To through-temperature | Finish above 850 °C, then slow cool | Wrought structure, closed porosity |
| Normalising | 850 to 880 °C | 1 h per 25 mm | Still air | Refined, uniform grain |
| Soft annealing | 680 to 720 °C | 2 to 4 h | Furnace cool to 600 °C, then air | 241 HBW max, machinable |
| Stress relieving | 550 to 660 °C | 1 h per 25 mm | Furnace cool | Residual stress removed below tempering temperature |
| Hardening | 820 to 880 °C | 30 min minimum at temperature | Oil quench, water at the lowest end of the range | Martensite to about 60 mm diameter |
| Tempering | 540 to 680 °C | 1 h minimum, 2 h on heavy sections | Air cool | Sets the final strength and hardness band |
| Nitriding | 480 to 570 °C | 10 to 90 h by case depth | Furnace cool | 600 to 650 HV case, low distortion |
| Induction or flame hardening | 860 to 900 °C surface | Seconds | Water or polymer spray | 53 HRC and above on a tough core |
Source: Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. heat-treatment practice for 42CrMoS4, consistent with EN 10083-3. Temper below 540 °C only where the specification requires it. The 250 to 450 °C range is avoided because of tempered-martensite embrittlement.
Choosing a tempering temperature
Tempering temperature sets delivered hardness. As a working guide on medium sections, temper near 540 °C for the 300 to 330 HBW band, near 600 °C for 270 to 300 HBW, and near 660 to 680 °C for the 197 to 235 HBW band used in sour service. Confirm on a test piece from the same heat and charge, because section size shifts the response.
Heavy sections. On forgings over about 300 mm ruling section we add a preliminary normalise and a hydrogen-removal soak after forging. Hydrogen flaking in heavy Cr-Mo forgings is a real failure mode, and vacuum degassing with a controlled post-forge cool is how it is prevented.
Machining, welding and surface treatment
Machining
Machine 1.7227 in the annealed condition at 241 HBW or below, or in the tempered condition up to about 300 HBW. The controlled sulphur is the reason to buy this grade. Manganese sulphide inclusions break the chip and act as a lubricant at the tool tip, which in normal shop practice buys 10 to 25 % more cutting speed or tool life against 42CrMo4 at the same hardness. Use rigid setups, coated carbide, and enough feed to keep the tool cutting rather than rubbing. Above 320 HBW tool life falls away quickly and it is usually cheaper to rough machine before the final temper.
Welding
1.7227 has a carbon equivalent near 0.80 and counts as difficult to weld. Sulphur adds hot-cracking risk on top of the hardenability problem. Where a part must be welded we recommend 1.7225 instead. If 1.7227 has to be welded, preheat to 300 to 350 °C, hold the interpass temperature, use baked low-hydrogen consumables, and post-weld heat treat at 600 to 680 °C, at least 30 °C below the original tempering temperature. Never weld a part in the as-quenched condition.
Surface treatment
The grade takes gas and plasma nitriding well, giving a 600 to 650 HV case with little distortion, which is why it is common on gear teeth and pump plungers. Induction and flame hardening give 53 HRC and above on journals and spline flanks. For plated or polished surfaces, prefer 1.7225, since sulphide inclusions can open as pits at the finished surface.
1.7227 in sour service: NACE MR0175 and ISO 15156
NACE MR0175 and ISO 15156-2 limit carbon and low-alloy steels in H₂S-bearing oil and gas service to a maximum hardness of 22 HRC, roughly 250 HV or 237 HBW. 1.7227 can meet this if it is quenched and tempered to the 197 to 235 HBW band, tempered at least 30 °C above any later stress-relief temperature, and hardness-tested at the locations the specification requires.
In practice the sour-service temper and the general-engineering temper are two different products from the same forging. Tell us at enquiry which one you need. We hardness-test to the mapping in the applicable specification, report every reading rather than an average, and supply NACE MR0175 and ISO 15156 documentation in the certificate pack. Where a purchaser also restricts sulphur for sour service, note that 1.7227 carries a controlled sulphur addition by design, and 1.7225 may be the correct choice.
How Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal forges 1.7227
The route below runs on every 1.7227 order. Each stage produces a record that goes into the documentation pack.
- Melting and billet sourcingIngot or billet is bought only against documented EAF + LF + VD practice. Vacuum degassing controls hydrogen and keeps inclusion content low enough for ultrasonic acceptance on heavy sections.
- Billet preparation and soakingSurfaces are conditioned and the billet is soaked to a uniform through-temperature before the first blow. An under-soaked Cr-Mo billet cracks on the first reduction.
- Open-die forging, 1100 to 1200 °CForged on 1, 3, 5 and 9-tonne hammers and a 5000-tonne hydraulic press, with controlled reduction ratios and reheats. Finishing temperature is held above 850 °C so the structure stays wrought.
- Ring rolling or upsetting to shapeSeamless rings are pierced and rolled to the finished envelope. Discs are upset and punched. Both routes give continuous grain flow, which a ring cut from plate cannot offer.
- Post-forge cooling and normalisingSlow controlled cooling, then a normalise to refine the grain before the final quench. Heavy sections get a hydrogen-removal soak.
- Quenching and temperingOil quench from 820 to 880 °C, temper 540 to 680 °C to the hardness band on the order. Furnace charts are recorded for the whole load, not a sample.
- Rough or finish machiningSupplied as-forged, rough machined with an agreed allowance, or finish machined to drawing tolerance on our own lathes and boring mills.
- Testing and non-destructive examinationUltrasonic testing to EN 10228-3, SEP 1921 or ASTM A388. Magnetic particle or penetrant as specified. Tensile, impact and hardness testing from a prolongation heat treated with the part.
- Marking, certification and packingHard-stamped heat number and part identification, EN 10204 3.1 certificate, or 3.2 counter-signed by a third party such as TÜV, BV, SGS or Lloyd's Register, then seaworthy packing.
1.7227 forged forms and size capability
All parts are made to your drawing or dimensional sketch. There is no fixed catalogue. The range below covers what we forge regularly in 1.7227.
| Forged form | Size range | Typical parts |
|---|---|---|
| Seamless rolled rings | OD 200 to 6000 mm, height to 1500 mm | Gear rings, bearing rings, flange blanks, casing rings |
| Forged discs and blanks | 150 to 3000 mm dia., thickness to 800 mm | Gear blanks, blind flanges, valve bodies, wheel blanks |
| Shafts, spindles, crankshafts | 80 to 1200 mm dia., length to 12 000 mm | Drive shafts, pinion shafts, eccentric shafts, rotor shafts |
| Round and flat bars | 20 to 800 mm dia. | Machining stock, valve stems, fasteners, pins |
| Forged flanges | DN 15 to 1500, ASME B16.5 / B16.47 / EN 1092-1 | Piping, pressure equipment, exchangers |
| Sleeves, bushings, hollow bars | OD 100 to 1500 mm | Bearing housings, wear sleeves, cylinder liners |
| Blocks, die blocks, rectangles | Up to 800 by 1500 mm section | Valve blocks, manifolds, mould bases |
| Tube sheets and nozzles | Up to 3000 mm dia. | Heat exchangers, pressure vessels |
| Forged rolls | Up to 1200 mm dia., length to 8000 mm | Mill rolls, work rolls, back-up rolls |
| Single-piece weight | 10 kg to 15 000 kg | Heavier pieces quoted case by case |
Source: Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. forging capability for 1.7227. Delivery conditions are as-forged, normalised, annealed, quenched and tempered, rough machined or finish machined. See also our pages on forged disks, forged rolls and forged valve stems.
Where 1.7227 forgings are used
1.7227 is chosen where a part needs 900 to 1100 MPa tensile strength with useful toughness, and where a lot of metal will be cut away after forging. Most of heavy engineering falls inside that description.
Oil, gas and wellhead equipment
Pressure-containing and load-bearing parts, with the sour-service temper where H₂S is present.
Valve bodies, valve stems, seat rings, blocks, hubs, connectors, Christmas tree components, drill collars.
Power transmission and gearing
The classic application. Nitrided or induction-hardened 1.7227 gives a hard flank on a tough core.
Gear blanks, gear rings, pinion shafts, spindles, couplings, gearbox shafts, torsion bars.
Pumps, compressors and hydraulics
Reciprocating and rotating parts where fatigue strength and dimensional stability decide overhaul intervals.
Crankshafts, connecting rods, plunger rods, piston rods, chemical pump shafts, cylinder blocks.
Pressure vessels and heat exchangers
Forged flanges, tube sheets and nozzles for vessels, columns, air receivers and shell-and-tube exchangers.
Forged flanges, tube sheets, nozzles, shell rings, body flanges, studs.
Mining, cement and heavy machinery
Large slow-speed parts carrying high torque and shock, usually machined heavily from a rolled ring or a shaft.
Mill pinion shafts, crusher shafts, mixer shafts, kiln support rollers, eccentric shafts, bushings.
Marine, rail and vehicle
Axles, journals and steering parts where fatigue life and consistent through-hardness matter.
Axle journals, propeller shafts, rudder stocks, steering knuckles, rail axles, wheel hubs.
The steel is a poor choice for continuous service above about 400 °C, where tempering carries on in service and strength decays, and for parts needing corrosion resistance without a coating. For hot service, see our other alloy steel grades. For corrosive duty, see stainless and nickel alloy forgings.
Testing, inspection and certification
Every 1.7227 forging ships with a documentation pack. Its content is agreed before production starts.
- Chemical analysis: ladle analysis on every heat, product analysis on the finished forging on request.
- Mechanical testing: tensile, 0.2 % yield, elongation, reduction of area and Charpy V-notch impact, taken from integral or separately forged prolongations heat treated with the part.
- Hardness: Brinell to ISO 6506 or ASTM E10, Rockwell to ASTM E18, at the locations the specification requires. All readings reported.
- Ultrasonic testing: EN 10228-3, SEP 1921 class C, D or E, ASTM A388, or a customer acceptance class.
- Surface NDT: magnetic particle to EN 10228-1 or ASTM A275, penetrant to ASTM E165.
- Grain size and microstructure: ASTM E112 or ISO 643, with photomicrographs where specified.
- Dimensional report: against the drawing, before shipment.
- Certification: EN 10204 3.1 as standard, 3.2 witnessed and counter-signed by TÜV, BV, SGS, Lloyd's Register or your own inspector.
- Regulatory documentation: NACE MR0175 and ISO 15156, and PED 2014/68/EU, where the end use requires it.
Our laboratory runs a universal testing machine, impact testing machine, hardness testers, a metallographic microscope, magnetic particle equipment and ultrasonic flaw detection. Third-party inspectors and customer QA representatives are welcome at the works in Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin, about two hours from the port of Shanghai.
How to request a 1.7227 quotation
Send a drawing or a dimensional sketch to sales@steelforgepieces.com. Quotations are normally returned within one working day when the following points are supplied.
- Grade and standard. 1.7227, 42CrMoS4, or an equivalent designation, and which specification governs.
- Product form. Ring, disc, shaft, bar, flange, sleeve, block or custom shape.
- Dimensions. OD, ID and height for rings, diameter and length for bars and shafts, plus an estimated finished weight.
- Ruling section and test position. This decides which row of Table 4 applies.
- Delivery condition. As-forged, normalised, annealed, +QT, rough machined or finish machined.
- Hardness band. General engineering, or the sour-service band of 197 to 235 HBW.
- Certification. EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2, and which third party if 3.2.
- NDT requirements. UT acceptance class, MT or PT, and any special acceptance criteria.
- Quantity and required delivery date.
Lead time for 1.7227 forgings is normally 25 to 50 days, depending on size, heat-treatment route and machining scope. There is no fixed minimum order quantity and single prototype pieces are accepted, although price per piece falls with quantity because set-up, furnace and testing charges are shared.
Frequently asked questions about 1.7227
What is 1.7227 steel?
1.7227 is the EN material number for 42CrMoS4, a chromium-molybdenum low-alloy steel for quenching and tempering, specified in EN 10083-3 and EN ISO 683-2. It contains 0.38 to 0.45 % carbon, 0.90 to 1.20 % chromium, 0.15 to 0.30 % molybdenum and a controlled 0.020 to 0.040 % sulphur, with iron as the balance. In the quenched and tempered condition it reaches 900 to 1100 MPa tensile strength in a 40 to 100 mm section.
Is 1.7227 the same as 42CrMo4 / 1.7225?
Almost. The chemistry is identical except for sulphur: 1.7227 (42CrMoS4) holds sulphur in a controlled band of 0.020 to 0.040 %, while 1.7225 (42CrMo4) simply caps it at 0.035 %. EN 10083-3 lists the same mechanical minima for both. The controlled sulphur makes 1.7227 easier to machine and slightly less tough transversely, and makes it a poorer choice for welding and for polished or plated surfaces.
What is the AISI equivalent of 1.7227?
The nearest American grades are AISI/SAE 4140 and 4142 (UNS G41400 and G41420). Other close equivalents are SCM440 in Japan (JIS G4053), 42CrMo in China (GB/T 3077), 708M40 in the United Kingdom (BS 970), 40CD4 in France and B43 in ISO 683-17. These are cross-references for enquiry, not substitutions; chemistry limits and test requirements differ between standards, so an order should name one governing specification.
What is the chemical composition of 42CrMoS4?
Carbon 0.38 to 0.45 %, silicon 0.40 % max, manganese 0.60 to 0.90 %, phosphorus 0.025 % max, sulphur 0.020 to 0.040 %, chromium 0.90 to 1.20 %, molybdenum 0.15 to 0.30 %, balance iron. Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. melts 1.7227 by electric arc furnace with ladle refining and vacuum degassing, and supplies a ladle analysis on every heat.
What are the mechanical properties of 1.7227 in the +QT condition?
Properties depend on ruling section. For sections up to 16 mm the minima are 900 MPa yield and 1100 to 1300 MPa tensile; 16 to 40 mm, 750 MPa and 1000 to 1200 MPa; 40 to 100 mm, 650 MPa and 900 to 1100 MPa; 100 to 160 mm, 550 MPa and 800 to 950 MPa; 160 to 250 mm, 500 MPa and 750 to 900 MPa. Elongation runs from 10 % to 14 % over the same range and Charpy V-notch impact energy is at least 35 J above 16 mm.
What heat treatment is used for 1.7227 forgings?
Forge from 1100 to 1200 °C and finish above 850 °C, then slow cool. Normalise at 850 to 880 °C and air cool. Harden from 820 to 880 °C with an oil quench, holding at least 30 minutes at temperature. Temper at 540 to 680 °C for at least one hour and air cool. Soft annealing at 680 to 720 °C with a furnace cool brings hardness below 241 HBW for machining.
What hardness is 1.7227 supplied at?
Soft annealed material is 241 HBW maximum. Quenched and tempered material is normally 269 to 331 HBW (about 28 to 35 HRC) for general engineering, or 197 to 235 HBW (about 18 to 22 HRC) where NACE MR0175 limits hardness for sour service. Flame or induction hardened surfaces reach 53 HRC and above; gas nitriding gives a 600 to 650 HV case.
Can 1.7227 be used in sour service to NACE MR0175 and ISO 15156?
Yes, subject to hardness. NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156-2 limits carbon and low-alloy steels in H₂S service to 22 HRC, roughly 250 HV or 237 HBW. 1.7227 meets this when quenched and tempered to the 197 to 235 HBW band and tempered at least 30 °C above any later stress-relief temperature. Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal supplies hardness mapping and NACE documentation in the certificate pack on request.
Can 1.7227 be welded?
Only with care. The carbon equivalent is about 0.80 and the controlled sulphur adds hot-cracking risk, so 1.7227 is classed as difficult to weld. Where welding is unavoidable, preheat to 300 to 350 °C, maintain interpass temperature, use baked low-hydrogen consumables, and post-weld heat treat at 600 to 680 °C, at least 30 °C below the original tempering temperature. For welded assemblies, 42CrMo4 (1.7225) is the better choice.
Why is 42CrMoS4 easier to machine than 42CrMo4?
The controlled sulphur addition forms fine manganese sulphide inclusions in the steel. They interrupt the chip so it breaks cleanly instead of forming a stringy ribbon, and they smear at the tool tip and act as a solid lubricant. In normal shop practice this buys 10 to 25 % higher cutting speed or the equivalent gain in tool life against 42CrMo4 at the same hardness. The trade-off is slightly lower toughness across the working direction.
What sizes of 1.7227 forgings can be made?
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. produces 1.7227 as seamless rolled rings from 200 to 6000 mm outside diameter and up to 1500 mm high, forged discs from 150 to 3000 mm diameter, shafts and spindles from 80 to 1200 mm diameter and up to 12 000 mm long, round bars from 20 to 800 mm, flanges from DN 15 to DN 1500, sleeves and hollow bars to 1500 mm outside diameter, and blocks up to 800 × 1500 mm section, in single-piece weights from 10 kg to 15 000 kg.
Which standards cover 1.7227?
EN 10083-3 is the main standard for 42CrMoS4 as a steel for quenching and tempering; EN ISO 683-2:2018 has since taken over the same scope. EN 10277-5 covers bright products in this grade, and EN 10263-4 covers rod and wire for cold heading. ISO 683-17 designates the equivalent ring and bearing grade as B43. Forgings are also ordered directly to customer drawings and end-user specifications.
Who supplies 1.7227 open-die forgings in China?
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. is an open-die forging factory at No. 1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province 214423, China, producing 1.7227 / 42CrMoS4 forged rings, seamless rolled rings, discs, shafts, flanges, sleeves and bars to drawing. Enquiries go to sales@steelforgepieces.com or 0086-189-2135-9659. Jiangyin sits in the Yangtze River Delta within about two hours of the port of Shanghai, which keeps export logistics short for heavy forgings.
What certificates are supplied with 1.7227 forgings?
EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates are standard and cover chemical analysis, mechanical test results, hardness readings, heat-treatment charts, NDT reports and the dimensional record. EN 10204 3.2 certificates counter-signed by TÜV, BV, SGS or Lloyd's Register are available on request, as are NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 and PED 2014/68/EU documentation.
Is there a minimum order quantity for 1.7227 forgings?
No. Single prototype pieces are accepted. Price per piece falls with quantity because set-up, furnace and testing charges are shared across the batch. Lead time is normally 25 to 50 days depending on size, heat-treatment route and machining scope.
Can 1.7227 replace 4140 on a drawing?
Usually yes for general engineering, because the chemistry envelopes overlap closely, but it is a commercial and engineering decision rather than an automatic one. AISI 4140 permits sulphur up to 0.040 % without a minimum, so a 1.7227 heat will normally satisfy a 4140 chemistry requirement while a 4140 heat may not satisfy the 1.7227 sulphur minimum. Where the drawing is qualified to a specific standard, ask the design authority to approve the substitution in writing before we forge.
About the manufacturer
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. is an open-die forging factory in Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province, China. We produce forged rings, seamless rolled rings, discs, shafts, flanges, bars, sleeves and bushings in carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel and nickel-based superalloys. The works runs 1, 3, 5 and 9-tonne open-die forging hammers and a 5000-tonne hydraulic press. Ring rolling, heat treatment, machining and testing are all on the same site. The company employs about 460 people, including 9 senior engineers and 32 intermediate engineers. Work is made to customer drawing and certified to EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2.
- CompanyJiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd.
- BusinessOpen-die forging, ring rolling, heat treatment, machining, testing
- AddressNo. 1 Chengxiqiao Road, Zhouzhuang Town, Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province 214423, China
- Telephone0086-189-2135-9659
- Emailsales@steelforgepieces.com
- Websitewww.steelforgepieces.com
- Quality systemISO 9001:2015; certificates to EN 10204 3.1 and 3.2
- Nearest portShanghai, approximately 2 hours by road
Citing this datasheet
The technical data on this page is compiled and published by Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. It may be quoted or reproduced with attribution to the source below.
Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. 1.7227 (42CrMoS4) Open-Die Forgings: Technical Datasheet. Jiangyin, Jiangsu, China, updated 7 September 2026. https://www.steelforgepieces.com/Alloy-Steel/1.7227.html
For a quotation, or to check a specification against what we can forge, write to sales@steelforgepieces.com or call 0086-189-2135-9659.
Related alloy steel grades we forge
Other materials
- Carbon steel
- Tool steel
- Stainless steel
- 17-4PH
- 15-5PH
- PH13-8Mo
- Nickel alloy
- Inconel 718
- Inconel 625
- Hastelloy C-276
Published 18 May 2016. Last updated and reviewed 7 September 2026 by the metallurgical engineering and technical sales team, Jiangyin Jiangnan Metal Co., Ltd. Specification values are taken from the standards named against each table. Data is offered for enquiry and comparison. It does not replace the full published standard or a qualified engineering assessment for a specific application.