300M, UNS K44220, 4340MOD Low Alloy Steel


300M high strength low alloy steel acc. to AMS 6417, AMS 6257, AMS 6419, AMS STD 2154, ASTM A579 (32), ASTM A646 (300M-8), MIL-S-83135, MIL S-8844 (3), MIL S-8844 Class 2, GE S-400 S-1000

300M, UNS K44220, 4340MOD Low Alloy Steel - Introduction and Application

300M high strength low alloy steel comparable to 4340 with increased alloying elements such as vanadium and silicon giving it slightly higher strength and toughness, modified version of AISI 4340 steel, It has high content of molybdenum and silicon than that of AISI 4340 steel. It has high strength, good toughness, fatigue strength and ductility. The following datasheet gives more details about the 300M low alloy steel main used in a wide array of aerospace applications including landing gear for many commercial airplanes.


300M Spec.:

  • AMS 6417 (Replaces MIL-S-83135)
  • AMS 6419
  • AMS 6257 (Replaces MIL-S-8844 REV D CLASS 3)
  • AMS 2300 Premium Aircraft Quality Cleanliness
  • BMS 7-26
  • BE1036
  • CE-0896
  • C-05-1190
  • DMS 1935
  • GM1012
  • MTL 1201
  • S155
  • MAT 137
  • SAE 434M
  • IGQ 41-11
  • LAT 1.9042
  • ZFNL 9207
  • ASTM A646

AMS 6417 Macrostructure standards

ClassConditionSeverity
1FrecklesA
2White SpotsA
3Radial SegregationB
4Ring PatternB

Minimum Longitudinal Tensile Properties per AMS 6417:

PropertyValue
Tensile Strength270 ksi
Yield Strength 0.2% offset220 ksi
Elongation8%
Reduction of Area30%

Minimum Transverse Tensile Properties per AMS 6417

Cross-section AreaTensile StrengthYield Strength 0.2% OffsetAvg. Reduction of AreaIndividual Reduction of Area
Up to 100 in2, incl270 ksi220 ksi30%25% min
Over 100 in2, incl270 ksi220 ksi25%20% min
Over 144 in2, incl270 ksi220 ksi20%15% min
Over 225 in2270 ksi220 ksi15%10% min

Melted process

  • AOD + VAR
  • VIM + VAR

300M, UNS K44220, 4340MOD Low Alloy Steel - Chemical composition WT %

GradeChemical Composition WT %
CMnSiPSCrNiMoVFe
300M0.40-0.460.65-0.901.45-1.80Max 0.035Max 0.030.70-0.951.65-2.00.30-0.45Min 0.0593.4-94.8
UNS K442200.38-0.460.60-0.901.45-1.80Max 0.010Max 0.0100.70-0.951.65-2.00.30-0.65Min 0.05Bal

Mechanical Property of 300M, UNS K44220, 4340MOD Low Alloy Steel

PropertiesMetricImperial
Shear modulus (typical for steel)80 GPa11600 ksi
Elastic modulus205 GPa29700 ksi
Poisson's ratio0.280.28

Physical Property of 300M, UNS K44220, 4340MOD Low Alloy Steel

PropertiesMetricImperial
Density7.87 g/cm30.284 lb/in³
Melting point1422°C2590°F

Heat Treatment of 300M, UNS K44220, 4340MOD Low Alloy Steel

300M, UNS K44220 Low Alloy Steel is normalized at 927°C (1700°F). It is then heated at 872°C (1600°F) followed by oil quenching oil and tempering.

AMS 6417 Heat Treatment

Type of Heat TreatingProcess
Normalize1700° F +/- 25° F (927° C +/- 14° C), then air cool
Harden1600° F +/- 25° F (871° C +/- 14°C), quench in oil
TemperDouble temper 400° – 1200° F (204° – 649° C) depending on desired strength and hardness.

Welding of 300M, UNS K44220, 4340MOD Low Alloy Steel

300M, UNS K44220 Low Alloy Steel can be welded using flash resistance welding or fusion welding methods. Approved procedures such as including pre and post-heating practice are followed for performing the fusion welding method because this alloy can be air-hardened due to the heat produced by welding. This process is followed by re-normalizing, or re-normalizing and tempering before heat treatment.


Machining of 300M, UNS K44220, 4340MOD Low Alloy Steel

300M, UNS K44220 Low Alloy Steel can be easily machined in normalized, or normalized and tempered conditions. Due to hardness of the heat treated alloy, the grinding process is performed with extreme care. After grinding, stress relief annealing is performed at 288°C (550°F).


Equivalent grades of 300M, UNS K44220, 4340MOD Low Alloy Steel

UNS K44220, 4340MOD, Lescalloy 300M Vac-Arc, 4340 Modified, 434M, 300M CEVM