Discover the exceptional SAE AISI 1020 Steel Properties, including the robust C1020 Carbon Steel Yield Strength and its Equivalent specifications.
Premium Quality ASTM SAE AISI 1020 Steel
AISI 1020 steel, also identified as C1020 steel, shines in cold worked conditions (cold rolled or cold drawn). This versatile steel, widely celebrated for its excellent machinability and weldability, can be hot rolled or cold drawn. Typically, it's found in turned and polished or cold drawn states. Its low carbon content ensures resistance to induction or flame hardening.
AISI SAE 1020 Steel Properties & Specifications: Comprehensive Overview
Below is an in-depth data sheet detailing SAE AISI 1020 steel properties, including its chemical composition, physical and mechanical characteristics.
Chemical Composition: A Closer Look
Physical Properties: Essential Metrics
Melting Point: 1515 °C (2760 °F)
Density of 1020 Steel: Precision at 7.87 g/cm3 (0.0361 lbs/in3)
Thermal Expansion Notes: 10
Coefficient of Linear Expansion: -6
Temperature Dependence: /K = 10
Material Response: -6
Thermal Conductivity: .K
Thermal Coefficient: -1
Unit Measure: = (µm/m)/°C
Mechanical Properties of SAE AISI 1020 Mild Steel: A Detailed Analysis
This comprehensive data highlights 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 the as-received condition is a robust 186 GPa (27×10
High Elasticity: 6
psi).
Machinability: Superior Performance
AISI SAE 1020 carbon steel boasts a machinability rating of 65, benchmarked against a perfect 100% machinability rating of 1212 steel.
SAE AISI 1020 Steel Heat Treatment: Techniques and Benefits
Comprehensive Heat Treatment of SAE AISI 1020 mild steel includes processes like normalizing, annealing, and austenitizing.
Normalizing of AISI 1020: Optimal Conditions
The ideal normalizing temperature for SAE AISI 1020 mild steel is a precise 915 °C (1675 °F).
Annealing of AISI 1020: Best Practices
For full annealing of small carbon steel forgings ( ≤ 3 inches), the recommended temperature and cooling cycle are as follows:
Annealing temperature ranges from 855-900 °C (1575-1650 °F). Cooling cycle starts at 855 °C (1575 °F) down to 700 °C (1290 °F) with a furnace cooling speed of 28 °C/h (50 °F/h). Achieve Brinell hardness of 111-149 HB.
Reheating (Austenitizing): Precision Heat Treatment
Reheating (austenitizing) temperatures for hardening SAE 1020 steel are meticulously set at 760-790 °C (1400-1450 °F). Carburizing often occurs at temperatures of 900 to 925 °C (1650 to 1700 °F).
Case Hardening: Enhanced Durability
The surface hardening carburization temperature for 1020 carbon steel is a precise 970-955 °C, typically executed in a meticulous blend of methane and carrier gas. Post-carburizing, the hardening process is consummated through direct quenching in water or brine, ensuring the ultimate in surface resilience.
Typical Heat Treatment for SAE 1020 Case Hardening
- Carbon Temperature: 900-925 °C (1650-1700 °F), Cooling Method: Water or Caustic Solution.
- Reheat Temperature: 790 °C (1450 °F), Cooling Method: Water or 3% Sodium Hydroxide Solution.
- Carbonitriding Temperature: 790-900 °C (1450-1650 °F), Cooling Method: Oil.
- Temper Temperature: 120-205 °C (250-400 °F), primarily for stress relief and enhanced crack resistance. This step, though beneficial, is not always mandatory.
Typical Forging Temperature
The forging temperature for AISI 1020 mild steel is an intense 1290 °C (2350 °F), optimal for shaping and forming.
AISI 1020 Carbon Steel Welding
Recommended Preheat and Interpass Temperatures for AISI SAE C1020 Steel:
For thickness ≤50mm (2 in.), the preheat and interpass temperature should be maintained above -12 °C for low hydrogen applications and at 38 °C for non-low hydrogen situations.
For thickness (t) 50 < t ≤ 100, the ideal preheat and interpass temperature is 93 °C for low hydrogen applications and 150 °C for other conditions.
Post-weld heat treatment is optional, with a recommended temperature range of 590-675 °C (1100-1250 °F) for optimal results.
Application
ASTM AISI SAE 1020 steel manifests in a plethora of semi-finished products such as square, flat, and round steel bars, steel plates, and is indispensable in manufacturing truck, automotive, and agricultural equipment parts. This includes axles, mechanical parts, cold head bolts, motor and pump shafts, ratchets, light gears, gear drives, worm gears, spindles, seat brackets, crane-cable drums, motor-brake wheels, and more. It's also commonly used to create structural components like steel channels, angles, I-beams, and H-beams.
AISI SAE ASTM 1020 Steel Equivalent Material
SAE ASTM AISI 1020 carbon steel holds equivalency with European EN (Germany DIN EN, British BSI, French NF), Japanese JIS, and Chinese GB standards.





