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AMS 6350 Steel Specification Overview

The AMS6265R specification outlines the requirements for premium aircraft-quality low-alloy steel used in bars, forgings, mechanical tubing, and forging stock, with specific composition and mechanical properties. Key updates include clarifications on testing, macrostructure, and heat treatment, as well as prohibitions on unauthorized exceptions. This document serves as a technical guideline for ensuring the quality and suitability of steel products in aerospace applications.

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Larry Burton
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
194 views8 pages

AMS 6350 Steel Specification Overview

The AMS6265R specification outlines the requirements for premium aircraft-quality low-alloy steel used in bars, forgings, mechanical tubing, and forging stock, with specific composition and mechanical properties. Key updates include clarifications on testing, macrostructure, and heat treatment, as well as prohibitions on unauthorized exceptions. This document serves as a technical guideline for ensuring the quality and suitability of steel products in aerospace applications.

Uploaded by

Larry Burton
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Downloaded from SAE International by AeroControlex Group, Wednesday, October 22, 2025

AEROSPACE AMS6265™ REV. R

MATERIAL SPECIFICATION Issued 1960-06


Revised 2021-10

Superseding AMS6265P

Steel, Bars, Forgings, Mechanical Tubing and Forging Stock


1.2Cr - 3.25Ni - 0.12Mo (0.07 - 0.13C) (9310)
Vacuum Consumable Electrode Remelted
(Composition similar to UNS G93106)

RATIONALE

AMS6265R updates the title to match the scope, prohibits unauthorized exceptions (3.7, 4.4.4, [Link], 8.6), updates
composition testing (3.1), clarifies macrostructure (3.4.1, 8.8), modifies jominy requirements (3.4.4), updates heat treatment
for chemical banding (3.4.5), adds machining note (8.5), allows prior revisions (8.7), and is the result of a Five-Year Review
and update of the specification.

1. SCOPE

1.1 Form

This specification covers a premium aircraft-quality, low-alloy steel in the form of bars, forgings, mechanical tubing, and
forging stock.

1.2 Application

These products have been used typically for critical carburized parts requiring high minimum core hardness within a narrow
range and subject to very rigid magnetic particle inspection standards, but usage is not limited to such applications.

1.2.1 The core is machinable after hardening.

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), [Link].

AMS2251 Tolerances, Low-Alloy Steel Bars

AMS2253 Tolerances, Carbon and Alloy Steel Tubing

AMS2259 Chemical Check Analysis Limits, Wrought Low-Alloy and Carbon Steels
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SAE Executive Standards Committee 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 © 2021 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 [Link]
Email: CustomerService@[Link]
SAE WEB ADDRESS: [Link]
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SAE INTERNATIONAL AMS6265™R Page 2 of 8

AMS2300 Steel Cleanliness, Premium Aircraft-Quality Magnetic Particle Inspection Procedure

AMS2370 Quality Assurance Sampling and Testing, Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Wrought Products and Forging Stock

AMS2372 Quality Assurance Sampling and Testing, Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel Forgings

AMS2806 Identification Bars, Wire, Mechanical Tubing, and Extrusions, Carbon and Alloy Steels and Corrosion and
Heat-Resistant Steels and Alloys

AMS2808 Identification Forgings

ARP1917 Clarification of Terms Used in Aerospace Metals Specifications

AS1182 Standard Stock Removal Allowance, Aircraft-Quality and Premium Aircraft-Quality Steel Bars and
Mechanical Tubing

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, [Link].

ASTM A255 Determining Hardenability of Steel

ASTM A370 Mechanical Testing of Steel Products

ASTM A604 Macroetch Testing of Consumable Electrode Remelted Steel Bars and Billets

ASTM A751 Chemical Analysis of Steel Products

ASTM E45 Determining the Inclusion Content of Steel

ASTM E112 Determining Average Grain Size

ASTM E140 Hardness Conversion Tables for Metals

ASTM E384 Microindentation Hardness of Materials

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 approved by purchaser.

Table 1 - Composition

Element Min Max


Carbon 0.07 0.13
Manganese 0.40 0.70
Silicon 0.15 0.35
Phosphorus -- 0.015
Sulfur -- 0.015
Chromium 1.00 1.40
Nickel 3.00 3.50
Molybdenum 0.08 0.15
Boron -- 0.001 (10 ppm)
Copper -- 0.35
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SAE INTERNATIONAL AMS6265™R Page 3 of 8

3.1.1 Check Analysis

Composition variations shall meet the applicable requirements of AMS2259.

3.2 Melting Practice

Steel shall be multiple melted using consumable electrode vacuum practice in the remelt cycle.

3.3 Condition

The product shall be supplied in the following condition; hardness and tensile strength shall be determined in accordance
with ASTM A370.

3.3.1 Bars

Bar shall not be cut from plate (also see 4.4.2).

[Link] Bars 0.500 Inch (12.70 mm) and Under in Nominal Diameter or Least Distance Between Parallel Sides

Cold finished having tensile strength not higher than 125 ksi (862 MPa) or hardness not higher than 262 HBW, or equivalent
(see 8.2).

[Link] Bars Over 0.500 Inch (12.70 mm) in Nominal Diameter or Least Distance Between Parallel Sides

Hot finished and annealed, unless otherwise ordered, having hardness not higher than 229 HBW, or equivalent (see 8.2).
Bars ordered cold finished may have hardness as high as 248 HBW, or equivalent (see 8.2).

3.3.2 Forgings

As ordered.

3.3.3 Mechanical Tubing

Cold finished, unless otherwise ordered, having hardness not higher than 25 HRC, or equivalent (see 8.2). Tubing ordered
hot finished and annealed shall have hardness not higher than 99 HRB, or equivalent (see 8.2).

3.3.4 Forging Stock

As ordered by the forging manufacturer.

3.4 Properties

The product shall conform to the following requirements; hardness testing shall be performed in accordance with
ASTM A370.

3.4.1 Macrostructure

Visual examination of transverse full cross-sections from bars, billets, tube rounds, and forging stock, etched in hot
hydrochloric acid in accordance with ASTM A604, shall show no pipe or cracks. Porosity, segregation, inclusions, and other
imperfections shall be no worse than the macrographs of ASTM A604 shown in Table 2.

Table 2 - Macrostructure limits

Class Condition Severity


1 Freckles A
2 White Spots A
3 Radial Segregation B
4 Ring Pattern B
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SAE INTERNATIONAL AMS6265™R Page 4 of 8

[Link] Macrostructure examination is not required for bored/hollow forgings (including ring forgings) and mechanical
tubing that is produced directly from ingots or large blooms (see 8.9).

[Link] If mechanical tubing is produced directly from ingots or large blooms, transverse sections may be taken from the
tubing. Macrostructure standards for such tubes shall be as agreed upon by purchaser and producer (see 8.9).

3.4.2 Micro-Inclusion Rating of Each Heat

No specimen shall exceed the limits shown in Table 3, determined in accordance with ASTM E45, Method D.

Table 3 - Micro-inclusion rating limits

A A B B C C D D
Type Thin Heavy Thin Heavy Thin Heavy Thin Heavy
Worst Field Severity 2.0 1.0 1.5 1.0 1.5 1.0 1.5 1.0
Worst Field Frequency, maximum a 1 a 1 a 1 3 1
Total Rateable Fields, Frequency, maximum b 1 b 1 b 1 8 1
a - Combined A+B+C, not more than three fields.
b - Combined A+B+C, not more than eight fields.

[Link] A rateable field is defined as one that has a type A, B, C, or D inclusion rating of at least No. 1.0 thin or heavy in
accordance with ASTM E45 (see 8.3).

3.4.3 Average Grain Size of Bars, Forgings, and Tubing

Shall be ASTM No. 5 or finer, determined in accordance with ASTM E112.

3.4.4 Hardenability of Each Heat

Shall be J1/16 inch (1.6 mm) = 41 HRC maximum and J6/16 inch (9.5 mm) = 32 HRC minimum, determined on the standard
end-quench test specimen in accordance with ASTM A255, except that the steel shall be normalized at 1700 °F ± 10 °F
(927 °C ± 6 °C) and the test specimen austenitized at 1500 °F ± 10 °F (816 °C ± 6 °C). Cast specimens do not need to be
normalized.

3.4.5 Chemical Banding of Each Heat

Chemical banding shall be viewed metallographically (see [Link]). A specimen microhardness tested in accordance with
ASTM E384 that exhibits a hardness difference between light and dark etching bands greater than 5 HRC converted from
Vickers (see 8.2) shall be cause for rejection. The specimen shall be cut from in-process heat approval material, then
normalized at 1700 °F ± 10 °F (927 °C ± 6 °C) and austenitized at 1500 °F ± 10 °F (816 °C ± 6 °C) and quenched in oil. As
an option to improve metallographic contrast between bands, the specimen may be tempered two hours at 300 °F ± 10 °F
(150 °C ± 6 °C).

3.5 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.

3.5.1 Steel shall be premium aircraft-quality conforming to AMS2300.

3.5.2 Bars and mechanical tubing shall be free from seams, laps, tears, and cracks after removal of the standard stock
removal allowance in accordance with AS1182.

3.5.3 Grain flow of die forgings, except in areas that contain flash-line end grain, shall follow the general contour of the
forgings showing no evidence of reentrant grain flow.
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SAE INTERNATIONAL AMS6265™R Page 5 of 8

3.6 Tolerances

3.6.1 Bars

In accordance with AMS2251.

3.6.2 Mechanical Tubing

In accordance with AMS2253.

3.7 Exceptions

Any exceptions shall be authorized by the purchaser and reported as in 4.4.4.

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.

4.2 Classification of Tests

4.2.1 Acceptance Tests

Composition (3.1), condition (3.3), macrostructure (3.4.1), micro-inclusion rating (3.4.2), average grain size (3.4.3),
hardenability (3.4.4), chemical banding (3.4.5), and tolerances (3.6) are acceptance tests and shall be performed on each
heat or lot as applicable.

4.2.2 Periodic Tests

Frequency-severity cleanliness rating (3.5.1) and grain flow of die forgings (3.5.3) are periodic tests and shall be performed
at a frequency selected by the producer unless frequency of testing is specified by purchaser.

4.3 Sampling and Testing

Shall be as follows:

4.3.1 Bars, Mechanical Tubing, and Forging Stock

In accordance with AMS2370.

[Link] Chemical Banding

[Link].1 Location of Samples

During the in-process heat approval, the samples are to represent the top and bottom of the first and last remelted ingots.
Longitudinal specimens shall be taken at the mid-radius location. If total heat approval data are not available at time of
applying metal to a particular lot, tests shall be from the top and bottom of the applied ingot(s).

[Link].2 Test Procedure

A minimum of five microhardness readings shall be taken in each area of interest and the average of these readings shall
be used to determine the hardness data difference. The Vickers load shall be a minimum of 500 g. A 2% Nital etch shall be
used to identify the areas of interest.
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SAE INTERNATIONAL AMS6265™R Page 6 of 8

4.3.2 Forgings

In accordance with AMS2372.

4.4 Reports

4.4.1 The producer of bars, forgings, and mechanical tubing shall furnish with each shipment a report showing the
producer identity, country where the metal was melted (e.g., final melt in the case of metal processed by multiple
melting operations), results of tests for composition, macrostructure, micro-inclusion rating, hardenability and
chemical banding of each heat, and condition and average grain size 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, AMS6265R, product form and size (and/or part number, if applicable), and quantity. If forgings are
supplied, the size and melt source of stock used to make the forgings shall also be included.

4.4.2 If the ship size/shape is cut from a larger cross section, report the nominal metallurgically worked size (also see
3.3.1).

4.4.3 The producer of forging stock shall furnish with each shipment a report showing the producer identity, country where
the metal was melted (e.g., final melt in the case of metal processed by multiple melting operations), results of tests
for composition, macrostructure, micro-inclusion rating, hardenability and chemical banding of each heat, and the
results of any additional property requirements imposed by 8.8. This report shall include the purchase order number,
heat number, AMS6265R, size, and quantity.

4.4.4 When material produced to this specification has exceptions taken to the technical requirements listed in Section 3,
the report shall contain a statement "This material is certified as AMS6265R(EXC) because of the following
exceptions:" and the specific exceptions shall be listed (also see [Link]).

4.5 Resampling and Retesting

4.5.1 Bars, Mechanical Tubing, and Forging Stock

In accordance with AMS2370.

4.5.2 Forgings

In accordance with AMS2372.

5. PREPARATION FOR DELIVERY

5.1 Sizes

Except when exact lengths or multiples of exact lengths are ordered, straight bars and tubing will be acceptable in mill
lengths of 6 to 20 feet (1.8 to 6.1 m), but not more than 10% of any shipment shall be supplied in lengths shorter than 10 feet
(3 m).

5.2 Identification

5.2.1 Bars and Mechanical Tubing

In accordance with AMS2806.

[Link] When technical exceptions are taken (see 4.4.4), the material shall be identified with AMS6265R(EXC).

5.2.2 Forgings

In accordance with AMS2808.


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SAE INTERNATIONAL AMS6265™R Page 7 of 8

5.2.3 Forging Stock

As agreed upon by purchaser and producer.

5.3 Protective Treatment

Bars and mechanical tubing ordered cold drawn, cold rolled, ground, turned, or polished shall be protected from corrosion
prior to shipment.

5.4 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.

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 (l) 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 Hardness conversion tables for metals are presented in ASTM E140.

8.3 Terms used in AMS are clarified in ARP1917.

8.4 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.

8.5 Purchasers should consider stock removal requirements of 3.5.2 when selecting the appropriate size and condition
(including surface finish) to specify in ordering information.

8.6 It is the purchaser’s obligation to ensure that product they procure or resell as AMS6265R has any exceptions
approved by their subsequent purchaser.

8.7 Unless otherwise specified, the material producer shall work to the revision of this specification (AMS6265) in effect
on the date of order placement. Unless otherwise specified, material manufactured and certified to the immediately
previous revision of this specification (AMS6265) may be procured and used until inventory is depleted.
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SAE INTERNATIONAL AMS6265™R Page 8 of 8

8.8 Purchase documents should specify not less than the following:

AMS6265R
Product form and size (and/or part number, if applicable) of product desired
Quantity of product desired
If forging stock, specify any additional property requirements beyond those reported in 4.4.3 and provide details of how to
obtain the desired samples
When macrostructure is required for hollow/bored forgings, rings, and mechanical tubing, include examination method and
acceptance standard

PREPARED BY THE AMS E CARBON AND LOW ALLOY STEELS COMMITTEE

Common questions

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Steel cleanliness under AMS6265R is assured through adherence to a premium aircraft-quality standard like AMS2300, which includes rigorous magnetic particle inspection procedures. This ensures the steel is free from detrimental foreign materials and imperfections, crucial for the reliability and safety of aerospace applications where material integrity is paramount .

AMS6265R addresses macrostructure by requiring visual examination of transverse full cross-sections etched in hot hydrochloric acid per ASTM A604, ensuring no pipe or cracks are present and that porosity, segregation, inclusions, and other imperfections meet specified macrographic limits. Microstructure issues, such as inclusions, are controlled through micro-inclusion rating limits as per ASTM E45, Method D, ensuring no specimen exceeds specified severity limits .

The hardness conversion table from ASTM E140 is significant in the context of AMS6265R as it provides standardized methods to convert hardness measurements, facilitating consistent evaluation of material properties such as machinability and tensile strength across different testing scales, promoting uniformity in quality assessments .

AMS6265R defines acceptance tests to include composition, condition, macrostructure, micro-inclusion rating, average grain size, hardenability, chemical banding, and tolerances. These tests must be performed on each heat or lot, ensuring uniformity and compliance with specified requirements, serving as critical quality checks throughout production .

AMS6265R ensures material suitability for critical carburized parts by specifying that the steel is of premium aircraft-quality, has high minimum core hardness within a narrow range, is machinable after hardening, and conforms to rigid magnetic particle inspection standards .

Clause 3.5's stipulation that steel must be of mandatory aircraft-quality under AMS6265R is critically significant as it ensures the material's reliability in flight-critical parts. This designation involves rigorous scrutiny for imperfections and compliance with stringent quality criteria, which are essential to meet the high safety and performance standards required in aerospace applications .

AMS6265R's guidelines ensure the integrity of products during delivery by mandating protective treatments against corrosion, such as for bars and tubing that are cold drawn or polished. Moreover, packaging must comply with commercial practices and applicable regulations to safeguard against damage, ensuring products meet standards upon receipt by the purchaser .

Under AMS6265R, the condition of bars and the corresponding determination of tensile strength and hardness vary with size. Bars 0.500 inch (12.70 mm) and under must be cold finished with tensile strength not exceeding 125 ksi (862 MPa) or hardness not exceeding 262 HBW, while bars over 0.500 inch require hot finishing and annealing unless otherwise specified, with hardness not exceeding 229 HBW if hot finished or 248 HBW if cold finished. Testing must conform to ASTM A370 standards .

The specific compositional requirements for the low-alloy steel under AMS6265R are as follows: Carbon (0.07-0.13%), Manganese (0.40-0.70%), Silicon (0.15-0.35%), Phosphorus (maximum 0.015%), Sulfur (maximum 0.015%), Chromium (1.00-1.40%), Nickel (3.00-3.50%), Molybdenum (0.08-0.15%), Boron (maximum 0.001% or 10 ppm), and Copper (maximum 0.35%).

Chemical banding evaluation is pivotal in ensuring the quality of heat-treated steels as per AMS6265R. It involves metallographic analysis where any hardness difference greater than 5 HRC between bands could indicate inconsistencies in heat treatment, leading to potential rejection of the specimen. This process ensures the uniform mechanical performance of the steel under operational stresses .

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