SURFACE J1868

REV.
SEP93
VEHICLE
400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001
STANDARD Issued 1988-02
Revised 1993-09-23

Superseding J1868 JUN90

Submitted for recognition as an American National Standard

(R) RESTRICTED HARDENABILITY BANDS FOR SELECTED ALLOY STEELS

Foreword—This Document has not changed other than to put it into the new SAE Technical Standards Board Format.

1. Scope—Restricted hardenability steels have been in use for some time but the specific restrictions for a
particular grade depend upon customer needs and vary from mill to mill. Such steels are desirable to provide
more controlled heat treatment response and dimensional control for critical parts. Because of increasing
interest in steels with restricted hardenability, the SAE Iron and Steel Technical Committee directed Division 8
to prepare a set of standard steels with restricted hardenability.

In 1993, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) adopted the twelve SAE restricted
hardenability steels and added ten more. SAE decided to include in SAE J1868 the additional 10 steels.

In general, steels with restricted hardenability (RH steels) will exhibit a hardness range not greater than 5 HRC
at the initial position on the end-quench hardenability bar and not greater than 65% of the hardness range for
standard H-band steels (see SAE J1268) in the "inflection" region. Generally the restricted hardenability band
follows the middle of the corresponding standard H-band. An example of the RH band compared with the
standard H-band is given for SAE 4140 in Figure 1.

2. References

2.1 Applicable Publications—The following publications form a part of this specification to the extent specified
herein. The latest issue of SAE publications shall apply.

2.1.1 SAE PUBLICATIONS—Available from SAE, 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001.

SAE J404—Chemical Compositions of SAE Alloy Steels

SAE J406—Methods of Determining Hardenability of Steels
SAE J409—Product Analysis—Permissible Variations from Specified Chemical Analysis of a Heat or Cast
of Steel
SAE J418—Grain Size Determination of Steels
SAE J1268—Hardenability Bands for Carbon and Alloy H Steels

2.1.2 ASTM PUBLICATION—Available from ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.

ASTM A 914—Standard Specification for Steel Bars Subject to Restricted Hardenability Requirements

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 reaffirmed, revised, or cancelled. SAE invites your written comments and suggestions.

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Copyright 1993 Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.

All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.
 SAE J1868 Revised SEP93

3. Grades of Steel—The RH steels and their corresponding minimum and maximum composition limits are
shown in Table 1 for a group of 22 alloy steels covering a nominal carbon content range of 0.10 to 0.60%. As
the need arises for restricted hardenability in other grades, they will be added to the standard.

4. Chemical Composition Limits—To meet restricted hardenability, yet provide flexibility for producers,
composition limits are the same as those given in SAE J404. (These limits are somewhat narrower than
allowed for standard H-steels.) It should be understood that alloys which satisfy the restricted hardenability
band will fall within SAE J404 composition limits, but not all steels melted to the composition limits would meet
the required RH-band. The limits are given in Table 1, and as indicated in the footnotes, are subject to
permissible variations for product analysis and may contain certain levels of elements not specified.

5. Identification—As a means of identifying steels specified to restricted hardenability band limits, the suffix
letters RH have been added to the conventional series number. It is important that steel consumers use this
special identifying designation in specification requirements, as there is no other means of determining when
restricted hardenability band limits apply. When the special identification is used, the steel shall conform to all
conditions pertaining to chemical composition limits, restrictions, testing technique, and so forth, as outlined
herein.

6. Grain Size—The limits set forth for RH-bands are intended to apply to steels exhibiting a fine austenitic grain
size (ASTM No. 5 or finer; see SAE J418).

7. Use of Restricted Hardenability Limits—For specification purposes, one must use the tabulated values of
Rockwell hardness (HRC) as a function of distance from the quenched end of the hardenability bar, either in
metric (SI) units (millimeters) or U.S. customary units (sixteenths of an inch). Values below 20 HRC are not
specified because such values are not as accurate. Band limits are also shown graphically and are so
depicted for convenience in estimating the hardness values at various intermediate locations on the end
quench test bar and for quick comparisons of the various RH grades. The values of Approximate Diameter of
Rounds with Same As-Quenched Hardness shown above each RH-band, were selected from the ranges
appearing in Figure 7 of SAE J406. The RH-bands are presented graphically, with distances from the
quenched end in both metric (SI) units and U.S. customary units.

The hardenability testing technique used as a basis for acceptance shall be in accordance with SAE J406.

For specification purposes, RH-band steels shall be within the minimum and maximum HRC range specified at
the J1 (J1.5 mm) position and shall meet one additional minimum and one additional maximum HRC value. In
this specification, the two additional hardness values shall represent the approximate hardness for 50%
martensite for the minimum and maximum specified carbon content, respectively (except where hardenability
is too high to exhibit 50% martensite hardness; then the additional two control hardness points shall be 5 HRC
below the minimum and maximum hardness specified at the J1 (J1.5 mm) position). In general, these points
define the critical locations of the Jominy hardenability band for purposes of characterizing heat treatment
response. The four specification points are circled in the tables of hardness versus Jominy distance and on the
RH-bands. For a portion of the curve not exceeding 5 mm or 3/16 in (not including the control points), a
tolerance of two points HRC is permitted.

For example, referring to the right-hand hardness limit table in Figure 1, a hardenability test bar of a steel
meeting the requirements for 4140RH must exhibit a hardness at J1 not less than 54 HRC nor more than
59 HRC. At J12, the test bar must exhibit hardness not less than 43 HRC, but the maximum hardness can be
as high as 52 HRC (or even 54 HRC if this region of the test bar is chosen as the exception). At J20, the bar
must exhibit hardness not greater than 47 HRC, but the minimum hardness can be as low as 37 HRC (or as
low as 35 HRC if this region of the test bar is chosen as the exception).

(A similar example, for 4140RH with distances from the quenched end in millimeters, would limit hardness at
J1.5 mm to not less than 54 HRC nor more than 59 HRC. At J20 mm, the test bar must exhibit hardness not
less than 42 HRC. At J30 mm, the test bar must exhibit hardness not greater than 48 HRC.)

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TABLE 1—COMPOSITIONS OF RESTRICTED HARDENABILITY STEELS

Ladle Chemical Ladle Chemical Ladle Chemical Ladle Chemical Ladle Chemical Ladle Chemical
Composition, Composition, Composition, Composition, Composition, Composition,
SAE Weight %(1)(2)(3) Weight %(1)(2)(3) Weight %(1)(2)(3) Weight %(1)(2)(3) Weight %(1)(2)(3) Weight %(1)(2)(3)
Steel No. C Mn Si Ni Cr Mo

SAE 15B21RH(4) 0.17/0.22 0.80/1.10 0.15/0.35

SAE 15B35RH(4) 0.33/0.38 0.80/1.10 0.15/0.35

SAE 3310RH 0.08/0.13 0.40/0.60 0.15/0.35 3.25/3.75 1.40/1.75
SAE 4027RH 0.25/0.30 0.70/0.90 0.15/0.35 -- -- 0.20/0.30

SAE 4118RH 0.18/0.23 0.70/0.90 0.15/0.35 -- 0.40/0.60 0.08/0.15

SAE 4120RH 0.18/0.23 0.90/1.20 0.15/0.35 -- 0.40/0.60 0.13/0.20
SAE 4130RH 0.28/0.33 0.40/0.60 0.15/0.35 -- 0.80/1.10 0.15/0.25
SAE 4140RH 0.38/0.43 0.75/1.00 0.15/0.35 -- 0.80/1.10 0.15/0.25
SAE 4145RH 0.43/0.48 0.75/1.00 0.15/0.35 -- 0.80/1.10 0.15/0.25
SAE 4161RH 0.56/0.64 0.75/1.00 0.15/0.35 -- 0.70/0.90 0.25/0.35

SAE 4320RH 0.17/0.22 0.45/0.65 0.15/0.35 1.65/2.00 0.40/0.60 0.20/0.30

SAE 4620RH 0.17/0.22 0.45/0.65 0.15/0.35 1.65/2.00 -- 0.20/0.30
SAE 4820RH 0.18/0.23 0.50/0.70 0.15/0.35 3.25/3.75 -- 0.20/0.30

SAE 50B40RH4 0.38/0.43 0.75/1.00 0.15/0.35 -- 0.40/0.60

SAE 5130RH 0.28/0.33 0.70/0.90 0.15/0.35 -- 0.80/1.10 --
SAE 5140RH 0.38/0.43 0.70/0.90 0.15/0.35 -- 0.70/0.90 --
SAE 5160RH 0.56/0.64 0.75/1.00 0.15/0.35 -- 0.70/0.90 --

SAE 8620RH 0.18/0.23 0.70/0.90 0.15/0.35 0.40/0.70 0.40/0.60 0.15/0.25

SAE 8622RH 0.20/0.25 0.70/0.90 0.15/0.35 0.40/0.70 0.40/0.60 0.15/0.25
SAE 8720RH 0.18/0.23 0.70/0.90 0.15/0.35 0.40/0.70 0.40/0.60 0.20/0.30

SAE 8822RH 0.20/0.25 0.75/1.00 0.15/0.35 0.40/0.70 0.40/0.60 0.30/0.40

SAE 9310RH 0.08/0.13 0.45/0.65 0.15/0.35 3.00/3.50 1.00/1.40 0.08/0.15
Restricted Hardenability Limits for Steels in Table 1 appear in Figures 2 through 23.
1. Small quantities of certain elements may be found in alloy steel which are not specified or required. These elements are considered as
incidental and acceptable to the following maximum amounts: copper to 0.35%, nickel to 0.25%, chromium to 0.20%, and molybdenum
to 0.06%.
2. Maximum sulfur content is 0.040% and maximum phosphorus content is 0.025%.
3. Ranges and limits are subject to the permissible variations for product analysis shown in Table 4 of SAE J409.
4. These steels can be expected to contain 0.0005 to 0.003% boron.

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FIGURE 1—COMPARISON OF H-BAND AND RH-BAND FOR SAE 4140 STEEL

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 SAE J1868 Revised SEP93

FIGURE 2—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 15B21RH

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FIGURE 3—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 15B35RH

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FIGURE 4—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 3310 RH

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FIGURE 5—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 4027 RH

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FIGURE 6—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 4118 RH

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FIGURE 7—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 4120 RH

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FIGURE 8—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 4130 RH

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FIGURE 9—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 4140 RH

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FIGURE 10—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 4145 RH

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FIGURE 11—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 4161 RH

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FIGURE 12—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 4320 RH

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FIGURE 13—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 4620 RH

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FIGURE 14—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 4820 RH

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FIGURE 15—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 50B40 RH

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FIGURE 16—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 5130 RH

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FIGURE 17—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 5140 RH

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FIGURE 18—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 5160 RH

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FIGURE 19—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 8620 RH

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FIGURE 20—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 8622 RH

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FIGURE 21—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 8720 RH

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FIGURE 22—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 8822 RH

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FIGURE 23—LIMITS FOR HARDENABILITY BAND 9310 RH

8. Notes

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 SAE J1868 Revised SEP93

8.1 Marginal Indicia—The (R) is for the convenience of the user in locating areas where technical revisions have
been made to the previous issue of the report. If the symbol is next to the report title, it indicates a complete
revision of the report.

PREPARED BY THE SAE IRON AND STEEL TECHNICAL COMMITTEE DIVISION 8—CARBON AND ALLOY STEEL
HARDENABILITY
 SAE J1868 Revised SEP93

Rationale—This revision of SAE J1868 includes ten additional restricted hardenability (RH) steels. In 1993,
the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) adopted the twelve RH steels included in SAE
J1868 and added ten more. SAE decided to include these additional RH steels in this revision of SAE
J1868. In addition, this revision presents hardenability bands for each steel in both SI and U.S.
customary units in the same figure.

SAE Standard to ISO Standard—Not applicable.

Application—Restricted hardenability steels have been in use for some time but the specific restrictions for a
particular grade depend upon customer needs and vary from mill to mill. Such steels are desirable to
provide more controlled heat treatment response and dimensional control for critical parts. Because of
increasing interest in steels with restricted hardenability, the SAE Iron and Steel Technical Committee
directed Division 8 to prepare a set of standard steels with restricted hardenability.

In 1993, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) adopted the twelve SAE restricted
hardenability steels and added ten more. SAE decided to include in SAE J1868 the additional 10 steels.

In general, steels with restricted hardenability (RH steels) will exhibit a hardness range not greater than 5
HRC at the initial position on the end-quench hardenability bar and not greater than 65% of the hardness
for standard H-band steels (see SAE J1268) in the "inflection" region. Generally the restricted follows
the middle of the corresponding standard H-band. An example of the RH band compared standard H-
band is given for SAE 4140 in Figure 1.

Reference Section

SAE J404—Chemical Compositions of SAE Alloy Steels

SAE J406—Methods of Determining Hardenability of Steels

SAE J409—Product Analysis—Permissible Variations from Specified Chemical Analysis of a Heat or

Cast of Steel

SAE J418—Grain Size Determination of Steels

SAE J1268—Hardenability Bands for Carbon and Alloy H Steels

ASTM A 914—Standard Specification for Steel Bars Subject to Restricted Hardenability Requirements

Developed by the SAE Iron and Steel Technical Committee Division 8—Carbon and Alloy Steel Hardenability

Sponsored by the SAE Iron and Steel Technical Committee