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AEROSPACE AMS6345™ REV. E
MATERIAL SPECIFICATION Issued 1996-11
Revised 2020-04
Superseding AMS6345D
Steel, Sheet, Strip, and Plate
0.95Cr - 0.20Mo (0.28 - 0.33C) (SAE 4130)
Normalized or Otherwise Heat Treated
(Composition similar to UNS G41300)
RATIONALE
AMS6345E is a Five-Year Review and update that revises analytical methods (3.1) and decarburization per general
agreement (3.3.3), and prohibits unauthorized exceptions (3.3.1.1, 3.6, 4.4.2, 5.1, and 8.6).
1. SCOPE
1.1 Form
This specification covers an aircraft-quality, low-alloy steel in the form of sheet, strip, and plate.
1.2 Application
These products have been used typically where welding and moderate tensile properties are required, but usage is not
limited to such applications. Sheet and strip are extensively used where a minimum tensile strength of 180 ksi (1241 MPa)
is required in sections up to 0.125 inch (3.18 mm) in nominal thickness and proportionately lower strength is required in
heavier thicknesses.
2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
The issue of the following documents in effect on the date of the purchase order forms a part of this specification to the
extent specified herein. The supplier may work to a subsequent revision of a document unless a specific document issue is
specified. When the referenced document has been cancelled and no superseding document has been specified, the last
published issue of that document shall apply.
2.1 SAE Publications
Available from SAE International, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside USA
and Canada) or +1 724-776-4970 (outside USA), www.sae.org.
AMS2252 Tolerances, Low-Alloy Steel Sheet, Strip, and Plate
AMS2259 Chemical Check Analysis Limits, Wrought Low-Alloy and Carbon Steels
AMS2301 Steel Cleanliness, Aircraft Quality, Magnetic Particle Inspection Procedure
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SAE Technical Standards Board Rules provide that: “This report is published by SAE to advance the state of technical and engineering sciences. The use of this report is entirely
voluntary, and its applicability and suitability for any particular use, including any patent infringement arising therefrom, is the sole responsibility of the user.”
SAE reviews each technical report at least every five years at which time it may be revised, reaffirmed, stabilized, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and
suggestions.
Copyright © 2020 SAE International
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of SAE.
TO PLACE A DOCUMENT ORDER: Tel: 877-606-7323 (inside USA and Canada)
Tel: +1 724-776-4970 (outside USA)
For more information on this standard, visit
Fax: 724-776-0790 https://www.sae.org/standards/content/AMS6345E/
Email: [email protected]
SAE WEB ADDRESS: http://www.sae.org
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SAE INTERNATIONAL AMS6345™E Page 2 of 7
AMS2370 Quality Assurance Sampling and Testing, Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Wrought Products and Forging Stock
AMS2807 Identification, Carbon and Low-Alloy Steels, Corrosion and Heat-Resistant Steels and Alloys, Sheet, Strip,
Plate, and Aircraft Tubing
ARP1917 Clarification of Terms Used in Aerospace Metals Specifications
2.2 ASTM Publications
Available from ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P.O. Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, Tel: 610-
832-9585, www.astm.org.
ASTM A370 Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
ASTM A751 Standard Test Methods, Practices, and Terminology for Chemical Analysis of Steel Products
ASTM E112 Determining Average Grain Size
ASTM E140 Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals Relationship Among Brinell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Rockwell
Hardness, Superficial Hardness, Knoop Hardness, Scleroscope Hardness, and Leeb Hardness
ASTM E290 Bend Testing of Material for Ductility
ASTM E384 Microindentation Hardness of Materials
ASTM E1077 Estimating the Depth of Decarburization of Steel Specimens
3. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Composition
Shall conform to the percentages by weight shown in Table 1, determined in accordance with ASTM A751, or by other
analytical methods acceptable to purchaser.
Table 1 - Composition
Element Min Max
Carbon 0.28 0.33
Manganese 0.40 0.60
Silicon 0.15 0.35
Phosphorus -- 0.025
Sulfur -- 0.025
Chromium 0.80 1.10
Molybdenum 0.15 0.25
Nickel -- 0.25
Copper -- 0.35
3.1.1 Aluminum, vanadium, and columbium are optional grain refining elements and need not be determined or reported
unless used to satisfy the average grain size requirements of 3.3.2.
3.1.2 Check Analysis
Composition variations shall meet the applicable requirements of AMS2259.
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3.2 Condition
The product shall be supplied in the following condition:
3.2.1 Sheet and Strip
Cold rolled, normalized or otherwise heat treated, and descaled if necessary, or hot rolled, normalized or otherwise heat
treated, and descaled.
3.2.2 Plate
Hot rolled and normalized or otherwise heat treated.
3.2.2.1 If allowed by the purchaser, cold rolled and normalized or otherwise heat treated.
3.3 Properties
The product shall conform to the following requirements. Hardness and tensile testing shall be performed in accordance
with ASTM A370:
3.3.1 Tensile Properties
The long-transverse tensile properties of the as-supplied product shall be as shown in Table 2 (see 8.2).
Table 2A - Minimum tensile properties, inch/pound units
Tensile Yield Strength Elongation in
Thickness Strength 0.2% Offset 2 Inches or 4D
Inches ksi ksi Percent
Up to 0.062, excl 95 75 8
0.062 to 0.125, incl 95 75 10
Over 0.125 to 0.1874, incl 95 75 12
Over 0.1874 to 0.250, incl 90 70 15
Over 0.250 to 0.750, incl 90 70 16
Over 0.750 to 1.500, incl 90 70 18
Table 2B - Minimum tensile properties, SI units
Tensile Yield Strength Elongation in
Thickness Strength 0.2% Offset 50.8 mm or 4D
Millimeters MPa MPa Percent
Up to 1.57, excl 655 517 8
1.57 to 3.18, incl 655 517 10
Over 3.18 to 4.760, incl 655 517 12
Over 4.760 to 6.35, incl 621 483 15
Over 6.35 to 19.05, incl 621 483 16
Over 19.05 to 38.10, incl 621 483 18
3.3.1.1 Mechanical property requirements for product outside the size range covered by Table 2 shall be agreed upon
between purchaser and producer and reported per 4.4.2.
3.3.2 Average Austenitic Grain Size
Shall be determined by either 3.3.2.1 or 3.3.2.2.
3.3.2.1 Shall be ASTM No. 5 or finer, determined in accordance with ASTM E112.
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3.3.2.2 The product of a heat shall be considered to have an ASTM No. 5 or finer austenitic grain size if one or more of
the following are determined by heat analysis (see 8.7):
3.3.2.2.1 A total aluminum content of 0.020 to 0.050%.
3.3.2.2.2 An acid soluble aluminum content of 0.015 to 0.050%.
3.3.2.2.3 A vanadium content of 0.02 to 0.08%.
3.3.2.2.4 A columbium content of 0.02 to 0.05%.
3.3.3 Decarburization of Each Lot
Decarburization shall be evaluated by one of the methods of 3.3.3.1 or 3.3.3.2.
3.3.3.1 Metallographic Method
A cross section taken perpendicular to the surface shall be prepared in accordance with ASTM E1077 and examined
metallographically at a magnification not to exceed 100X. Optical indications of decarburization shall not show a layer of
complete (ferrite) or partial decarburization exceeding the limits of Table 3.
3.3.3.2 Hardness Traverse Method
The total depth of decarburization shall be determined by a traverse method using microindentation hardness testing in
accordance with ASTM E384 conducted on a hardened but untempered specimen protected during heat treatment to
prevent changes in surface carbon content. Tempering is generally not recommended, but if tempered, the tempering
temperature shall be not higher than 300 °F (149 °C). Depth of decarburization is defined as the perpendicular distance
from the surface to the depth under that surface where there is no further increase in hardness. Such measurements shall
be far enough away from any adjacent surface to be uninfluenced by any decarburization on the adjacent surface.
Acceptance shall be as listed in Table 3.
Table 3A - Maximum total depth of decarburization, inch/pound units
Nominal Thickness Total Depth of Decarburization
Inches Inch
Up to 0.500, incl 0.015
Over 0.500 to 1.000, incl 0.025
Over 1.000 0.035
Table 3B - Maximum total depth of decarburization, SI units
Nominal Thickness Total Depth of Decarburization
Millimeters Millimeter
Up to 12.70, incl 0.38
Over 12.70 to 25.40, incl 0.64
Over 25.40 0.89
3.3.3.3 When determining the depth of decarburization, it is permissible to disregard local areas provided the
decarburization of such areas does not exceed the above limits by more than 0.005 inch (0.13 mm) and the width
is 0.065 inch (1.65 mm) or less.
3.3.3.4 In the case of dispute, the total depth of decarburization determined using the microindentation hardness traverse
method shall govern.
3.3.4 Bending
Product 0.750 inch (19.05 mm) and under in nominal thickness shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E290 using a
sample prepared nominally 0.75 inch (19.0 mm) in width with its axis of bending parallel to the direction of rolling and shall
withstand without cracking when bending through the angle and bend radius shown in Table 4. In case of dispute, the results
of tests using the guided bend test of ASTM E290 shall govern.
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Table 4 - Bend requirements
Nominal Thickness Nominal Thickness Angle Bend Radius
Inch Millimeters Deg, Min t = nominal thickness
Up to 0.090, excl Up to 2.29, excl 180 1.5 t
0.090 to 0.1874, incl 2.29 to 4.760, incl 135 1.5 t
Over 0.1874 to 0.250, incl Over 4.760 to 6.35, incl 90 1.5 t
Over 0.250 to 0.750, incl Over 6.35 to 19.05, incl 90 1.5 t
3.3.5 Response to Heat Treatment
3.3.5.1 Tensile Strength
Product, 0.249 inch (6.32 mm) and under in nominal thickness, shall have tensile strength not lower than 125 ksi (862 MPa)
or equivalent hardness (see 8.3) after being hardened by quenching in oil from 1600 °F ± 10 °F (871 °C ± 6 °C) and tempered
for not less than 30 minutes at not lower than 900 °F (482 °C).
3.3.5.2 Hardness
Product shall develop the applicable minimum center hardness shown in Table 5, or equivalent (see 8.4), when hardened
by quenching in oil from 1600 °F ± 10 °F (871 °C ± 6 °C).
Table 5 - Minimum hardness, as quenched
Nominal Thickness Nominal Thickness Hardness
Inches Millimeters HRC
Over 0.249 to 0.375, incl Over 6.32 to 9.52, incl 42
Over 0.375 to 0.500, incl Over 9.52 to 12.70, incl 38
Over 0.500 to 0.625, incl Over 12.70 to 15.88, incl 32
Over 0.625 to 0.750, incl Over 15.88 to 19.05, incl 29
Over 0.750 to 0.875, incl Over 19.05 to 22.22, incl 27
Over 0.875 to 1.500, incl Over 22.22 to 38.10, incl 26
3.4 Quality
The product, as received by purchaser, shall be uniform in quality and condition, sound, and free from foreign materials and
from imperfections detrimental to usage of the product.
3.4.1 Steel shall be aircraft quality conforming to AMS2301.
3.5 Tolerances
Shall conform to all applicable requirements of AMS2252.
3.6 Exceptions
Any exceptions shall be authorized by the purchaser and reported as in 4.4.2.
4. QUALITY ASSURANCE PROVISIONS
4.1 Responsibility for Inspection
The producer of the product shall supply all samples for producer’s tests and shall be responsible for the performance of all
required tests. Purchaser reserves the right to sample and to perform any confirmatory testing deemed necessary to ensure
that the product conforms to specified requirements.
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4.2 Classification of Tests
4.2.1 Acceptance Tests
Composition (3.1), condition (3.2), tensile (3.3.1), average grain size (3.3.2), decarburization (3.3.3), bending (3.3.4),
response to heat treatment (3.3.5), frequency-severity rating (3.4.1), and tolerances (3.5) are classified as acceptance tests
and shall be performed on each heat or lot as applicable. If grain refining elements (3.3.2.2) are not present, the ASTM E112
grain size test (3.3.2.1) shall be conducted on each lot.
4.2.2 Periodic Tests
If grain refining elements (3.3.2.2) are present, the ASTM E112 grain size test (3.3.2.1) shall be conducted on a periodic
basis and shall be performed at a frequency selected by the producer (not to exceed 1 year) unless frequency of testing is
specified by purchaser.
4.3 Sampling and Testing
Shall be in accordance with AMS2370.
4.4 Reports
4.4.1 The producer of the product shall furnish with each shipment a report showing the producer identity, country where
the steel was melted (e.g., final melt in the case of steel processed by multiple melting operations), results of tests
of each heat for composition, the average grain size, if measured, and frequency-severity cleanliness rating, and
the results of tests for tensile properties and hardness of each lot, and stating that the product conforms to the other
technical requirements. This report shall include the purchase order number, heat and lot numbers, AMS6345E,
product form, size, and quantity. If the grain size requirement of 3.3.2 is met by the aluminum, vanadium, and/or
columbium content, the aluminum, vanadium, and/or columbium content shall be reported and a statement that the
chemistry satisfies the grain size requirement shall be included.
4.4.2 When material produced to this specification is beyond the sizes allowed in the scope or tables, or other exceptions
are taken to the technical requirements listed in Section 3, the report shall contain a statement “This material is
certified as AMS6345E(EXC) because of the following exceptions:” and the specific exceptions shall be listed (also
see 5.1).
4.5 Resampling and Retesting
Shall be in accordance with AMS2370.
5. PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY
5.1 Identification
Shall be in accordance with AMS2807. When technical exceptions are taken (see 4.4.2), the material shall be identified with
AMS6345E(EXC).
5.2 Protective Treatment
The product shall be protected from corrosion prior to shipment.
5.3 Packaging
The product shall be prepared for shipment in accordance with commercial practice and in compliance with applicable rules
and regulations pertaining to the handling, packaging, and transportation of the product to ensure carrier acceptance and
safe delivery.
6. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
A producer shall include this specification number and its revision letter in all quotations and when acknowledging purchase
orders.
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7. REJECTIONS
Product not conforming to this specification, or to modifications authorized by purchaser, will be subject to rejection.
8. NOTES
8.1 Revision Indicator
A change bar (I) located in the left margin is for the convenience of the user in locating areas where technical revisions, not
editorial changes, have been made to the previous issue of this document. An (R) symbol to the left of the document title
indicates a complete revision of the document, including technical revisions. Change bars and (R) are not used in original
publications, nor in documents that contain editorial changes only.
8.2 The values shown in Table 2 are those of MIL-S-18729, Condition N, and have not been substantiated in accordance
with AMS statistical analysis procedure.
8.3 Tensile strength to hardness conversions are presented in ASTM A370.
8.4 Hardness conversion tables for metals are presented in ASTM E140.
8.5 Terms used in AMS are clarified in ARP1917.
8.6 Dimensions and properties in inch/pound units and the Fahrenheit temperatures are primary; dimensions and
properties in SI units and the Celsius temperatures are shown as the approximate equivalents of the primary units
and are presented only for information.
8.7 Grain size
The average grain size resulting from using the appropriate test procedures per ASTM E112 will satisfy an ASTM No. 5 or
finer grain size when the elements defined in 3.3.2.2 as grain refiners are present. Other technical societies have adopted
the verification of fine grain steel based on chemistry alone. Included are ASTM International (Documents A6, A20, and
A29); American Society of Mechanical Engineers (Documents SA6, SA20, and SA29); American Bureau of Shipping; CSA
Group (Canada); EuroNorm documents; American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
8.8 It is the purchaser’s obligation to ensure that product they procure or resell as AMS6345E has any exceptions
approved by their subsequent purchaser.
8.9 Purchase documents should specify not less than the following:
AMS6345E
Product form and size of product desired
Quantity of product desired
8.10 Unless otherwise specified, the material producer shall work to the revision of this specification (AMS6345) in effect
on the date of order placement. Unless otherwise specified, material manufactured and certified to the immediately
previous revision of this specification (AMS6345) may be procured and used until inventory is depleted.
8.11 Similar Specifications
AMS-S-18729 and MIL-S-18729 are listed for information only.
PREPARED BY AMS COMMITTEE “E”
