Discover the impressive properties of SAE AISI 1020 Steel, including its C1020 Carbon Steel yield strength and its equivalents.
Premium Quality ASTM SAE AISI 1020 Steel
AISI 1020 steel, also recognized as C1020 steel in its cold worked condition (cold rolled or cold drawn), stands out as one of the most widely used plain carbon steels. Its exceptional machinability and weldability make it a preferred choice. Typically available in turned and polished or cold drawn conditions, its low carbon content makes it resistant to induction or flame hardening.
Comprehensive Guide to AISI SAE 1020 Steel Properties & Specifications
The table below provides a detailed breakdown of SAE AISI 1020 steel properties, including its chemical composition, and physical and mechanical characteristics.
Chemical Composition Breakdown
Key Physical Properties
Melting Point: 1515 °C (2760 °F)
1020 Steel Density: 7.87 g/cm³ (0.0361 lbs/in³)
Supplemental Notes: 10
-6
/K = 10
-6
.K
-1
= (µm/m)/°C
Mechanical Properties of SAE AISI 1020 Mild Steel
The data below illustrates the mechanical properties of AISI SAE 1020 steel, including yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, section reduction, and hardness under various conditions.
SAE AISI 1020 Carbon Steel Young's Modulus (Modulus of Elasticity) in its as-received condition: 186 GPa (27×10
6
psi).
Machinability Rating
AISI SAE 1020 carbon steel boasts a machinability rating of 65, benchmarked against a 100% rating for 1212 steel.
SAE AISI 1020 Steel Heat Treatment Processes
Explore the heat treatment methods for SAE AISI 1020 mild steel, including normalizing, annealing, and austenitizing.
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
Suggested temperature and cooling cycle for complete annealing of 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), with a furnace cooling speed of 28 °C/h (50 °F/h). Resulting Brinell hardness: 111-149 HB.
Reheating (Austenitizing) Process
Reheating (austenitizing) temperatures for hardening SAE 1020 steel range between 760-790 °C (1400-1450 °F). Carburizing is typically conducted at 900-925 °C (1650-1700 °F).
Case Hardening Techniques
For surface hardening of 1020 carbon steel, carburization is performed at 970-955 °C, typically in a methane and carrier gas mixture. Hardening follows carburizing, achieved by direct quenching from the carburizing temperature 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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