SAE AISI 1020 Steel Properties, C1020 Carbon Steel Yield Strength, Equivalent
ASTM SAE AISI 1020 Steel
AISI 1020 steel, also referred to as C1020 steel in cold worked (cold rolled or cold drawn) conditions, is one of the most commonly utilized plain carbon steels. Known for its exceptional machinability and weldability, SAE AISI 1020 mild steel can be both hot rolled or cold drawn, though it is primarily found in turned and polished or cold drawn conditions. The low carbon content makes it less susceptible to induction or flame hardening.
AISI SAE 1020 Steel Properties & Specification
Presented below is the data sheet for SAE AISI 1020 steel, featuring details on chemical composition, along with physical and mechanical properties.
Chemical Composition
Physical Properties
Melting point: 1515 °C (2760 °F)
Density of 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 illustrates the mechanical properties of AISI SAE 1020 steel, encompassing yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, section reduction, and hardness across various conditions.
SAE AISI 1020 carbon steel Young's modulus (modulus of elasticity) in the as-received condition: 186 GPa (27×10
6
psi).
Machinability
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
Heat treatment processes for SAE AISI 1020 mild steel include normalizing, annealing, and austenitizing.
Normalizing of AISI 1020
The recommended normalizing temperature for SAE AISI 1020 mild steel is 915 °C (1675 °F).
Annealing of AISI 1020
For full annealing of small carbon steel forgings (size ≤ 3 in.), the suggested temperature and cooling cycle are as follows:
Annealing temperature: 855-900 °C (1575-1650 °F). Cooling cycle: from 855 °C (1575 °F) to 700 °C (1290 °F) with a furnace cooling rate of 28 °C/h (50 °F/h), resulting in a Brinell hardness of 111-149 HB.
Reheating (Austenitizing)
Reheating (austenitizing) temperatures for hardening SAE 1020 steel range between 760-790 °C (1400-1450 °F). Carburizing is typically conducted at 900 to 925 °C (1650 to 1700 °F).
Case Hardening
The surface hardening carburization of 1020 carbon steel is performed at an optimal temperature range of 970-955 °C. This process predominantly utilizes a precise blend of methane and carrier gas. Post-carburizing, immediate quenching is executed, typically in water or brine, to achieve the desired hardness.
Standard Heat Treatment for SAE 1020 Case Hardening
- Carbon Hardening Temperature: 900-925 °C (1650-1700 °F); Cooling Method: Water or Caustic Solution.
- Reheating Temperature: 790 °C (1450 °F); Cooling Method: Water or a 3% Sodium Hydroxide Solution.
- Carbonitriding Temperature: 790-900 °C (1450-1650 °F); Cooling Method: Oil Quench.
- Tempering Temperature: 120-205 °C (250-400 °F); This step relieves stress and enhances crack resistance, though it is not always mandatory.
Typical Forging Temperature
For AISI 1020 mild steel, the standard forging temperature is 1290 °C (2350 °F).
Welding Procedures for AISI 1020 Carbon Steel
Recommended Preheat and Interpass Temperatures for AISI SAE C1020 Steel:
For thicknesses up to 50mm (2 in.), use a preheat and interpass temperature above -12 °C for low hydrogen environments, and 38 °C otherwise.
For thicknesses between 50mm and 100mm, the recommended preheat and interpass temperature is 93 °C for low hydrogen, and 150 °C for other conditions.
Postweld Heat Treatment: Optional; Temperature Range: 590-675 °C (1100-1250 °F).
Applications
ASTM AISI SAE 1020 steel is versatile, yielding semi-finished products like square, flat, and round steel bars, as well as steel plates. These can be crafted into truck and automotive parts, agricultural machinery components, axles, mechanical parts, bolts, motor and pump shafts, ratchets, gears, spindles, seat brackets, crane-cable drums, motor-brake wheels, and more. Additionally, it's commonly used for structural components such as steel channels, angles, I-beams, and H-beams.
Equivalent Materials for AISI SAE ASTM 1020 Steel
SAE ASTM AISI 1020 carbon steel is equivalent to materials under European standards (including Germany DIN EN, British BSI, and French NF), Japanese JIS, and Chinese GB standards.
Audited Supplier 
){kind=link}