SAE AISI 1020 Steel Properties: Discover the Yield Strength and Equivalents of C1020 Carbon Steel
ASTM SAE AISI 1020 Steel Overview
SAE AISI 1020 steel, also known as C1020 steel, excels in cold worked conditions (cold rolled or cold drawn). As a widely-used plain carbon steel, it offers excellent machinability and weldability. Typically available in turned and polished or cold drawn states, its low carbon content means it resists induction or flame hardening.
In-Depth: AISI SAE 1020 Steel Properties & Specification
The data sheet provided below outlines the comprehensive properties of SAE AISI 1020 steel, from chemical composition to physical and mechanical characteristics.
Chemical Composition Breakdown
Understanding the Physical Properties
Melting Point: 1515 °C (2760 °F)
Density of 1020 Steel: 7.87 g/cm3 (0.0361 lbs/in3)
Thermal Expansion Notes: 10
^-6
/K = 10
^-6
.K
^-1
= (µm/m)/°C
SAE AISI 1020 Mild Steel Mechanical Properties
The following data demonstrates the mechanical properties of AISI SAE 1020 steel, including yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, section reduction, and hardness across various conditions.
SAE AISI 1020 Carbon Steel Young's Modulus (Modulus of Elasticity) in As-Received Condition: 186 GPa (27×10
^6
psi).
Machinability Insights
AISI SAE 1020 carbon steel boasts a machinability rating of 65, based on a reference rating of 100% for 1212 steel.
Heat Treatment for SAE AISI 1020 Steel
Heat treatments for SAE AISI 1020 mild steel include normalizing, annealing, austenitizing, and more.
Normalizing Process for AISI 1020
The ideal normalizing temperature for SAE AISI 1020 mild steel is 915 °C (1675 °F).
Annealing Process for AISI 1020
Recommended Temperature and Cooling Cycle for Annealing Small Carbon Steel Forgings (size ≤ 3 in.):
Annealing Temperature: 855-900 °C (1575-1650 °F), Cooling Cycle: from 855 °C (1575 °F) to 700 °C (1290 °F), Furnace Cooling Speed: 28 °C/h (50 °F/h), Brinell Hardness: 111-149 HB.
Reheating (Austenitizing) Insights
Ideal Reheating (Austenitizing) Temperatures for Hardening SAE 1020 Steel: 760-790 °C (1400-1450 °F). Carburizing is typically performed at 900-925 °C (1650-1700 °F).
Surface Case Hardening
The carburization surface hardening temperature for 1020 carbon steel is 970-955 °C, often in a methane-carrier gas mix. Post-carburizing, hardening is typically achieved by direct quenching into water or brine.
Typical heat treatment for SAE 1020 case hardening
- Carbon temperature: 900-925 °C (1650-1700 °F), cooling method: water or caustic;
- Reheat temperature: 790 °C (1450 °F), cooling method: water or 3% sodium hydroxide;
- Carbonitriding temperature: 790-900 °C (1450-1650 °F), cooling method: oil;
- Temper temperature: 120-205 °C (250-400 °F), for stress relief and improving resistance to cracking (not mandatory).
Typical Forging Temperature
Typical forging temperature for AISI 1020 mild steel is 1290 °C (2350 °F).
AISI 1020 Carbon Steel Welding
The recommended preheat and interpass temperatures for AISI SAE C1020 steel:
For thickness ≤50mm (2 in.), the recommended preheat and interpass temperature is above -12 °C (for low hydrogen); and 38 °C for other than low hydrogen.
For thickness (t) 50< t ≤100, the recommended preheat and interpass temperature is 93 °C (for low hydrogen); and 150 °C (for other than low hydrogen).
Postweld heat treatment is optional, temperature is 590-675 °C (1100-1250 °F).
Application
ASTM AISI SAE 1020 steel has many semi-finished products, such as square steel bars, flat steel bars, round steel bars, steel plates, which can be used to make truck, automotive and agricultural equipment parts such as axles, mechanical parts, cold head bolts, motor shafts, pump shafts, ratchet, light gear, gear drives, worm gear, spindle, seat bracket, crane-cable drum, motor-brake wheel, etc. And usually also made into steel channels, steel angles, I-beams and H-beams.
AISI SAE ASTM 1020 Steel Equivalent Material
SAE ASTM AISI 1020 carbon steel equivalent to European EN (Germany DIN EN, British BSI, French NF…), Japanese JIS and Chinese GB standard.
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