Discover the remarkable SAE AISI 1020 Steel Properties, including C1020 Carbon Steel Yield Strength and its Equivalents.
Introducing ASTM SAE AISI 1020 Steel – the epitome of resilience and versatility.
AISI 1020 steel, also known as C1020 steel, shines in cold worked conditions (cold rolled or cold drawn). As one of the most widely utilized plain carbon steels, it boasts excellent machinability and weldability. Typically available in turned, polished, or cold drawn states, SAE AISI 1020 mild steel can also be hot rolled. Its low carbon composition resists induction or flame hardening, making it a staple in many industrial applications.
Explore the Comprehensive AISI SAE 1020 Steel Properties & Specifications.
The data sheet below details the properties of SAE AISI 1020 steel, including its chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties, and much more.
Chemical Composition Overview
Physical Properties at a Glance
Melting Point: 1515°C (2760°F)
Density of SAE AISI 1020 Steel: 7.87 g/cm³ (0.0361 lbs/in³)
Notes: 10
-6
/K = 10
-6
.K
-1
= (µm/m)/°C
Mechanical Properties of SAE AISI 1020 Mild Steel
The following data outlines the mechanical properties of SAE AISI 1020 steel, including yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, section reduction, and hardness under various conditions.
SAE AISI 1020 carbon steel boasts a Young's modulus (modulus of elasticity) in the as-received condition of 186 GPa (27×10
6
psi).
Machinability
SAE AISI 1020 carbon steel has an impressive machinability rating of 65, based on a 100% machinability rating for 1212 steel.
SAE AISI 1020 Steel Heat Treatment Techniques
Heat treatment methods for SAE AISI 1020 mild steel include normalizing, annealing, and austenitizing.
Normalizing Process for AISI 1020
The typical normalizing temperature for SAE AISI 1020 mild steel is 915°C (1675°F).
Annealing Process for AISI 1020
Recommended temperature and cooling cycle for full 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); Furnace Cooling Speed: 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 performed at 900-925°C (1650-1700°F).
Case Hardening Overview
The surface hardening carburization temperature for 1020 carbon steel ranges from 970-955°C, often utilizing a methane and carrier gas mixture. Hardening post-carburizing is usually done 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 enhancing resistance to cracking (optional)
Typical Forging Temperature
Typical Forging Temperature for AISI 1020 Mild Steel: 1290 °C (2350 °F)
AISI 1020 Carbon Steel Welding
Recommended Preheat and Interpass Temperatures for AISI SAE C1020 Steel:
For thickness ≤50mm (2 in.): Preheat and Interpass Temperature Above -12 °C (for low hydrogen); 38 °C (for other than low hydrogen)
For thickness (t) 50< t ≤100: Preheat and Interpass Temperature 93 °C (for low hydrogen); 150 °C (for other than low hydrogen)
Post-weld Heat Treatment (optional): Temperature 590-675 °C (1100-1250 °F)
Application
ASTM AISI SAE 1020 steel is versatile, producing semi-finished products like square steel bars, flat steel bars, round steel bars, and steel plates. Ideal for truck, automotive, and agricultural equipment parts including axles, mechanical parts, cold head bolts, motor shafts, pump shafts, ratchets, light gears, gear drives, worm gears, spindles, seat brackets, crane-cable drums, motor-brake wheels, etc. It’s also used for steel channels, steel angles, I-beams, and H-beams.
AISI SAE ASTM 1020 Steel Equivalent Material
SAE ASTM AISI 1020 carbon steel is equivalent to European EN (Germany DIN EN, British BSI, French NF…), Japanese JIS, and Chinese GB standards
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