This Page Presents a More Readily Weldable Alternative to 4130, for Other Information:

Click for BASIC 4130 WELDING DETAILS

Click for TECHNICAL & METALLURGICAL DETAILS

Click for  EQUATIONS defining weld cooling rate in tubing

Click for WELDING HEAT TREATED 4130 CHROME MOLY

Click for METALLURGICAL DEFINITIONS

MIG Gas Delivery and the Small Block Chevy Evolved in a Similar Way and Time!

 Both had Advances and Setbacks Before

They Were Optimized!

WELDING HEAT TREATED 4130  Chrome Moly (QUENCHED AND TEMPERED)

Why not Use a High Strength, High Toughness Steel Easier to Weld Than 4130 Chrome Moly! 

Still want to use higher strength tubing?  Have someone make an alloy like the Navy’s HY-130 or Hy-140 (same material usually heat treated differently) which would be far better choice.  I have worked with this product for over 30 years on a number of applications requiring not only strength but excellent toughness, i.e. for submarine hulls that can withstand a depth charge! 

Some of the tests the Navy requires such as the explosion bulge test must be performed on a welded plate and when completed successfully the test specimen looks like a WW I metal helmet!  The weld and base material must yield but show no fractures – even on thick material! 

Unfortunately, to my knowledge, this material is not being made in tubing.  It will also cost more than 4130 because of the alloy content and freedom from undesirable impurities which can lead to cracking and reduced toughness.  In the chart below you’ll note the steel contains much lower carbon and far lower undesirable residual elements such as sulfur and phosphorus.  That steel uses expensive elements like 2.5% Nickel and three times the 0.2% Molybdenum found in 4130. It is much more weldable than 4130 and the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) properties will be satisfactory at normal welding heat inputs.

 This old statement that 4130 is weldable stems from the 1940’s when folks used gas welding (read lots of preheat and very slow cooling!)  To achieve good weldability carbon content in base materials and welding rods has reduced over the years and even 100,000 psi yield gas and oil transmission pipe has carbon levels of 0.10 and lower!  this chart presents some chemistries and mechanical properties:

HY 130 will not fracture in a brittle manor and will yield and bend before breaking.  The strength of the Heat Affected Zone will not deteriorate to the degree of 4130. If it is decided to use a material of this type then weld joint and procedure tests should be made and the resulting welds tested. 

My strong recommendation is to have some testing done by a competent welding research firm.  With the large amount of sponsor money spent on most racing series they surly can be called upon to assist with safety issues. 

 Email for recommendations. 

Note: Caution if the extra strength is used to make the tubing wall thinner “local bucking” can occur. This phenomenon can happen if the tubing wall thickness becomes low compared to the tube diameter and must be considered in the design. SEE DEFINITION

This Ad Helps Bring You  Free Information on Welding Race Cars & Street Rods

Have a Welder?   Improve Weld Starts and Have Shielding Gas Cylinder Last at Least Twice as Long! 

Note: Our Patented GSS is Not Available in "Stores"

A home shop fabricator in Georgia with a Miller ^TM 175 amp welder purchased a 50 foot Gas Saver System ( GSS^TM ) so he could use a larger cylinder and mount it on the wall of his shop.  He wrote:

"The system works great.  Thanks for the professional service and a great product."   Click To See His Home Shop

A Professional Street Rod Builder Had This to Say:

With their standard MIG welder gas delivery hose the peak shielding flow at weld start was measured at 150 CFH. That caused air to be sucked into the gas stream causing poor weld starts.  With the GSS replacing their existing hose, the peak flow surge at the weld start was about 50 CFH.  Total gas use was cut in half.

Kyle Bond, President, quickly saw the improvement achieved in weld start quality as a significant advantage!   Kyle, an excellent automotive painter, was well aware of the effects of gas surge caused by pressure buildup in the delivery hose when stopped.  He has to deal with the visible effects in the air hose lines on the spray gun in his paint booth!  The paint surge is visible and creates defects unless the gun is triggered off the part being painted!  We can’t do that with our MIG gun!

Thanks to those "Car Crazy" folks who have purchased the Gas Saver System and commented on the improved starts and reduced gas usage they have achieved.  Many purchased our 6 foot prefitted GSS, Part Number WAT FB6, a 3 foot system, FB3, is also available.

ONE PAGE SUMMARY

PURCHASE PRODUCT

FREE Corvette Accessory Installation Info