Chromoly, or chromium-molybdenum steel, is a strong and lightweight alloy used in various industries such as aircraft, motorsports, and bicycles. It contains elements like carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, and silicon. Proper welding is important for safety reasons.
Chromium-molybdenum steel, or chromoly, is a steel alloy that people occasionally refer to as chromium molybdenum, chromium molybdenum, or CrMo. Technically, manufacturers identify it as 4130 steel. There are many different types of chromium tubing, including non-round shapes. An example of an oddly shaped tube is the petal-shaped tube used in the aircraft industry. Some pipes are solid and some types are hollow, but most people refer to hollow pipe-like material as a pipe.
Originally, the aircraft industry benefited from chromoly tubing because it is very strong for its weight. Eventually, other types of industries, such as race car builders and bicycle manufacturers, began to take advantage of the alloy’s tensile strength and light weight. Other industries that have incorporated chromium tubing into their designs include various types of motorsport companies, such as manufacturers of off-road vehicles and dune buggies. Other vehicle manufacturers also use the tubes for the frames of motorcycles, go karts and similar vehicles.
Some companies offer various shapes and types of chrome pipes. The pipe rod is a solid pipe, the round pipe is hollow, and the square pipe is generally hollow. Buyers can purchase specialty tubing, such as petal-shaped aero tubing used in the aircraft industry. This lightweight type of aerodynamic tube is very popular with experimental aircraft enthusiasts due to its high tensile strength. Companies often use chromoly tubing as structural tubing in their products.
The structural strength of the alloy is one of the reasons competitors use the tubes in the roll cages on their racing vehicles. Some regulators do not approve chromoly because improper welds can become brittle and break under stress. For safety reasons, welders should properly prepare the metal and allow the weld to cool slowly. If chromoly welds cool too quickly, the weld could crack under stress, such as from rolling during a crash.
Cyclists generally prefer frames with chrome tubes. While the alloy is not as light as other steel alloys, it has better tensile strength and malleability. The increased strength allows a builder to use thinner tubing, which reduces weight. Another use for alloy tubing is to make sturdy bike racks. Off-road cyclists often need bike racks that can withstand the hard knocks of off-road riding.
In addition to chromium, molybdenum and iron, this alloy also contains other elements such as carbon and manganese. Manganese is an element that metallurgists frequently use to strengthen steel. Other materials include small amounts of phosphorus, sulfur and silicon. It is typically about 95 percent iron.
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