Finding Equivalent Crack Growth Rate Data for

Similar Steel Alloys

James A. Harter, Consultant
For LexTech, Inc.

We are often asked if crack growth rate data for a given material is available in AFGROW, or in the Fatigue & Fracture
Material Database (FMD). Since these data are expensive to generate, they can be very difficult to find. Another issue is
the different naming conventions used for various alloys. For example:
Here are two materials that we were recently asked about: 25CrMo4 & A1N (or EA1N) Steel
For 25CrMo4, here is what we find in quick internet search:
Chemical composition % of grade 25CrMo4 (1.7218): EN 10083-3-2006
C

Si

Mn

Cr

Mo

0.22 - 0.29

max 0.4

0.6 - 0.9

max 0.025

max 0.035

0.9 - 1.2

0.15 - 0.3

Comparison of steel grades by chemistry

EN #

EN name

1.7218

SAE grade
4118
4120
4121
4130
4135
4137
4140
*

SAE

UNS

4130

% Cr
0.400.60
0.400.60
0.450.65
0.801.10
0.801.10
0.801.10
0.801.10

DIN

BS 970

UNI

JIS

25CrMo4
GS-25CrMo4

708A30
CDS110

25CrMo4 (KB)
30CrMo4

SCM 420
SCM 430
SCCrM1

Alloy composition (by weight)[1]

%C*
% Mn
% P (max)
% Mo
0.080.15
0.130.20
0.200.30
0.150.25
0.150.25
0.150.25
0.150.25

0.180.23
0.180.23
0.180.23
0.280.33
0.330.38
0.350.40
0.380.43

0.700.90
0.901.20
0.751.00
0.400.60
0.700.90
0.700.90
0.751.00

0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035
0.035

% S (max)
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040
0.040

% Si
0.150.35
0.150.35
0.150.35
0.150.35
0.150.35
0.150.35
0.150.35

The carbon composition of the alloy is denoted by the last two digits of the SAE specification number, in hundredths of a percent

Tensile strength
[psi (MPa)]
85,000110,000 psi (590760 MPa)
90,000100,000 psi (620690 MPa)
105,000120,000 psi (720
830 MPa)

Mechanical properties
Yield strength
[psi (MPa)]
70,00085,000 psi (480
590 MPa)
60,00070,000 psi (410
480 MPa)
85,00095,000 psi (590
660 MPa)

Elongation in 2"
[%]
2030

Hardness
(Rockwell)
B 9096

2030

B 9095

1525

B 96100

Unfortunately, we have no crack growth rate data for 4130 Steel in AFGROW or in our on-line Fracture Mechanics
Database. However, a little more internet digging results in other options for steel alloys that are similar to 4130:
France: AFNOR 25 CD 4 (S)
Germany: DIN 1.7218
Italy: UNI 25 CrMo 4 , UNI 25 CrMo 4 KB
Japan: JIS SCCrM 1 , JIS SCM 2
Sweden: SS 2225
United Kingdom: B.S. CDS 110
United States: AMS 6350 , AMS 6350D , AMS 6351A , AMS 6356 , AMS 6360 , AMS 6360F , AMS 6361 , AMS 6362 ,
AMS 6370 , AMS 6370F , AMS 6371 , AMS 6371D , AMS 6373 , AMS 6373A , ASTM A322 , ASTM A331 , ASTM A505 ,
ASTM A513 , ASTM A519 , ASTM A646 , MIL SPEC MIL-S-16974 , SAE J404 , SAE J412 , SAE J770 , UNS G41300
One of the closest matches that exists in the NASGRO Equation curve fit in AFGROW is: ASTM A645 Plate:

The data in the FMD was for ASTM A645 (INCO 92FM), published by McHenry, H.I., et al. in 1977. This material had a
reported UTS of 98 ksi. There is reasonable agreement between the available data and the NASGRO curve fit, although it
is clear that more data would be very helpful. At the very least, the data helps to support the curve fit.

A similar process can be followed for EA1N Steel. Its equivalent is 4140.

Another example for ASTM A27 Steel:

Alloy

1020

1025

Specification
MIL-S-22141B IC
1020
MIL-S-81591 IC 1020
ASTM A-27 GR N-1
ASTM A-27 GR U6030
ASTM A-27 GR 70-40
ASTM A-216 GR WCA
ASTM A-216 GR WCC
ASTM A-352 GR LCA
ASTM A-352 GR LCC
IC 1020
ASTM A-732 GR 1A
ASTM A-27 GR 60-30
ASTM A-27 GR 65-35
ASTM A-216 GR WCB

Carbon
Mn
Silicon
Cr
Nickel
Mo
P
S
Min-Max Min-Max Min-Max Min-Max Min-Max Min-Max Min-Max Min-Max

Iron

.15- .25

.30- .60

.20-1.00

.04

.04

Bal.

.25

.75

.80

.05

06

Bal.

.25

.75

.80

.05

06

Bal.

.25
.25
.25
.25
.25
.15- .25
.15- .25
.30
.30
.30

1.20
.70
1.20
.70
1.20
.20- .60
.20- .60
.60
.70
1.00

.80
.60
.60
.60
.60
.20- .60
.20-1.00
.80
.80
.60

.05
.04
.04
.04
.04
.04
.04
.05
.05
.04

06
.045
.045
.045
.045
.045
.045
.06
.06
.045

Bal.
Bal.
Bal.
Bal.
Bal.
Bal.
Bal.
Bal.
Bal.
Bal.

.50
.50*
.50*
.50*
.25
.35*

.50
.50*
.50*
.50*
.25
.50*

.20
.20*
.20*
.20*
.25

.50*

.50*

.20*

The equivalent here would be AISI 1020-1025 Steel with a yield strength of approximately 40 ksi and ultimate strength
of approximately 70 ksi. The closest match we have using the NASGRO Equation curve fit in AFGROW is: AISI-SAE
designation steel, low carbon 1015-1025, hot rolled plate:

The data in the FMD was for AISI 1020, published by Stephens, R.I., et al. in 1979. This material had a reported UTS of 60
ksi. There is very good agreement between the available data and the NASGRO curve fit.
Again, these data merely add confidence to the NASGRO Equation curve fit for this class of material. This process is a
reasonable way to look for equivalent data for a material that may not appear to exist in AFGROW (or the FMD). Care
should always be taken when selecting the appropriate crack growth rate data for any life prediction.