Low manganese carbon steel

Abstract

An alloy composition forms a steel having low manganese content, low silicon content, and medium carbon content. The alloy composition comprises in combination, by weight, about 0.3 to 0.5% carbon (C) and 0.15 to 0.40% manganese (Mn), with the balance being essentially iron (Fe). Further, the alloy composition has no more than about 0.04% aluminum (Al), no more than about 0.035% phosphorous (P), no more than about 0.025% sulfur (S), no more than about 0.15% chromium (Cr), no more than about 0.18% silicon (Si), and no more than about 0.08% molybdenum (Mo). The use of an alloy composition with lower silicon and manganese contents eliminates the need for prolonged carbuization. Instead, shorter carbonitriding cycles can be used, which results in improved residual stress, bending fatigue, and surface characteristics for driveline components.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.