Heat Treat of Alloy Steels
BMS Specification BAC 5617 Treatment – Heat Treat of Alloy Steels
BAC 5617 is a Boeing process specification (BMS Specification) that defines the requirements for the heat treatment of alloy steels used in Boeing aircraft and aerospace applications. This specification establishes the procedures, equipment qualifications, temperature controls, quenching media, and quality requirements necessary to achieve the specified mechanical properties in alloy steel components. It is part of the Boeing Material Standard (BMS) family of process controls and specifications, categorized under Controls & Processes.
Compliance with BAC 5617 ensures that alloy steel parts and raw materials receive heat treatment consistent with Boeing engineering requirements, achieving targeted mechanical properties such as tensile strength, hardness, toughness, and fatigue resistance. The specification covers processes including annealing, normalizing, hardening, quenching, tempering, and stress relieving as applicable to various alloy steel grades. Aero-Vac Alloys & Forge supplies alloy steel materials compatible with BAC 5617 heat treatment requirements, complete with full certifications and mill test reports.
BAC 5617 covers a comprehensive range of heat treatment processes applicable to alloy steels. Each process type has defined temperature ranges, hold times, cooling rates, and verification requirements. Contact our materials specialists for guidance on which process applies to your specific alloy steel grade and application requirements.
| Steel Grade | UNS / AISI | Key Alloying Elements | Typical Heat Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4130 | G41300 | Cr-Mo | Normalize, Harden & Temper |
| 4140 | G41400 | Cr-Mo | Anneal, Harden & Temper |
| 4340 | G43400 | Ni-Cr-Mo | Harden & Temper, Stress Relieve |
| 8620 | G86200 | Ni-Cr-Mo | Carburize, Harden & Temper |
| 300M | — | Si-Ni-Cr-Mo-V | Harden & Temper (ultra-high strength) |
| H-11 / H-13 | T20811 / T20813 | Cr-Mo-V | Anneal, Harden & Double Temper |
| Property / Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Specification Number | BAC 5617 |
| Issuing Organization | Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) / Boeing Company |
| Specification Type | BMS Process Specification – Controls & Processes |
| Subject | Heat Treatment of Alloy Steels |
| Categories | BMS, Controls & Processes, Specifications |
| Applicable Material Forms | Bars, Forgings, Sheet, Strip, Plate, Tubing, and Machined Parts |
| Process Coverage | Annealing, Normalizing, Hardening, Quenching, Tempering, Stress Relieving |
| Equipment Requirements | Qualified furnaces with calibrated temperature uniformity surveys (TUS) required |
| Temperature Monitoring | Calibrated thermocouples and recording equipment per specification requirements |
| Quality Verification | Hardness testing, mechanical property testing, and certification documentation |
| Magnetic Properties | Magnetic (ferritic/martensitic alloy steels) |
| Certification Available | AS9100D / ISO 9001, Certificate of Conformance, MTR |
Both BAC 5617 and AMS 2759 cover heat treatment of steel parts, but they differ in scope and applicability. BAC 5617 is a Boeing-specific process specification applicable to Boeing programs and suppliers, with requirements tailored to Boeing engineering standards. AMS 2759 is a broader SAE International aerospace material specification used across multiple aerospace programs and primes. If your parts are for a Boeing program, BAC 5617 is typically the governing specification. Aero-Vac can help you determine which specification applies to your requirements.
Yes. Aero-Vac supplies a wide range of alloy steel grades suitable for heat treatment per BAC 5617, including 4130, 4140, 4340, 300M, and other common aerospace alloy steels. All material is supplied with full mill test reports (MTRs) confirming chemical composition and mechanical properties. We are AS9100D/ISO 9001 certified with a 99.6% quality rating, and we can provide certificates of conformance and full material traceability documentation with every order.
BAC 5617 is applicable to a broad range of alloy steels commonly used in Boeing aerospace applications, including chromium-molybdenum steels (4130, 4140), nickel-chromium-molybdenum steels (4340, 300M), tool steels (H-11, H-13), and other alloy steel grades as specified by Boeing engineering drawings. The specific grades and applicable heat treatment classes are defined within the current issue of BAC 5617. Contact Aero-Vac for assistance identifying the correct material for your BAC 5617 application.
In-stock alloy steel material compatible with BAC 5617 heat treatment is typically available for same-day or next-day shipment. For custom-cut or specially processed orders, our standard lead time is 2–4 weeks—significantly faster than the industry average of 8–12 weeks. We prioritize urgent aerospace and defense requirements and will always provide honest, upfront delivery estimates. Rush processing is available on select items. Contact us with your specific size, grade, and quantity requirements for an accurate availability and lead time quote.
Yes. Aero-Vac operates a complete in-house processing facility at our Port of Kalama location. For alloy steel materials subject to BAC 5617 heat treatment requirements, we offer precision saw cutting, surface grinding, turning, milling, and heat treatment services. We also provide comprehensive mechanical and non-destructive testing services in-house. Having all capabilities under one roof allows for faster turnaround, tighter quality control, and reduced overall cost compared to using multiple vendors. Contact us to discuss your specific processing and documentation requirements for BAC 5617 compliance.
Our alloy steel specialists can provide fast pricing, availability, and technical guidance for your BAC 5617 requirements.
Connect with our materials specialists for custom quotes, technical specifications, and professional guidance on your BAC 5617 / alloy steel heat treatment requirements. Fast, honest, and straight-talking.
For immediate assistance, call us toll-free at (877) 237-6822. You can also email us at [email protected]
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