Abstract: A low alloy steel product having high hardenability and good machaniability in the presence of a relatively low S content, and utilizing minimal quantities of the currently expensive elements Ni and Mo is disclosed, the product having the following approximate composition:______________________________________ C from about .42 to about .52 Si from about .15 to about .35 Ni from about .65 to about .95 Cr from about 1.40 to about 1.60 Mo from about .30 to about .50 Mn from about .75 to about .95 V from about .04 to about .10 S from about .010 to about .025 Ti from about .003 to about .075 Al from about .015 to about .030 Ca about 15% of Al H 2.

Abstract: A series of controlled quenching of elevated temperature steel work pieces includes locating hot work pieces on a support at distances from one another sufficient to avoid slack quenching and subjecting the work pieces to a forced draft at a speed which results in consistent uniformity of hardness and uniformity of grain size of which about 10 MPH is exemplary, and an apparatus therefore which provides two pass cooling so that minimum horsepower is used and environmental degradation is avoided.