SAE AISI 1020 Steel Properties, C1020 Carbon Steel Yield Strength, Equivalent
ASTM SAE AISI 1020 Steel
AISI 1020 steel is also known as C1020 steel in cold worked (cold rolled or cold drawn) condition. 1020 carbon steel is one of the most commonly used plain carbon steels, has good machinability and weldability. SAE AISI 1020 mild steel can be hot rolled or cold drawn, but it is usually in turned and polished or cold drawn conditions. Due to its low carbon content, it is resistant to induction hardening or flame hardening.
AISI SAE 1020 Steel Properties & Specification
The data sheet below lists SAE AISI 1020 steel properties including chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties, etc.
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 shows that AISI SAE 1020 steel mechanical properties include yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, section reduction, and hardness in 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 machinability rating is 65 based on a machinability rating of 100% for 1212 steel.
SAE AISI 1020 Steel Heat Treatment
The heat treatment of SAE AISI 1020 mild steel including normalizing, annealing, austenitizing, etc.
Normalizing of AISI 1020
The typical normalizing temperature for SAE AISI 1020 mild steel is 915 °C (1675 °F).
Annealing of AISI 1020
Recommended temperature and cooling cycle for full annealing of small carbon steel forgings (size ≤ 3 in.):
Annealing temperature is 855-900 °C (1575-1650 °F), cooling cycle is from 855 °C (1575 °F) to 700 °C (1290 °F), furnace cooling speed at 28 °C/h (50 °F/h), Brinell hardness is 111-149 HB.
Reheating (Austenitizing)
Reheating (austenitizing) temperatures for hardening of SAE 1020 steel is 760-790 °C (1400-1450 °F). Carburizing is commonly carried out at 900 to 925 °C (1650 to 1700 °F).
Case Hardening
The surface hardening carburization temperature of 1020 carbon steel is 970-955 °C, and most of them are carried out in a mixed gas of methane and carrier gas. Hardening after carburizing is usually achieved by direct quenching from the carburizing temperature into water or brine.
Standard Heat Treatment for SAE 1020 Case Hardening
- Carbonization 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;
- Tempering Temperature: 120-205 °C (250-400 °F), for Stress Relief and Enhanced Crack Resistance (Optional).
Standard Forging Temperature
Typical Forging Temperature for AISI 1020 Mild Steel: 1290 °C (2350 °F).
Welding of AISI 1020 Carbon Steel
Recommended Preheat and Interpass Temperatures for AISI SAE C1020 Steel:
For Thickness ≤50mm (2 in.), Recommended Preheat and Interpass Temperature: Above -12 °C (For Low Hydrogen); 38 °C for Non-Low Hydrogen Applications.
For Thickness (t) 50< t ≤100, Recommended Preheat and Interpass Temperature: 93 °C (For Low Hydrogen); and 150 °C (For Non-Low Hydrogen Applications).
Post-Weld Heat Treatment (Optional), Temperature Range: 590-675 °C (1100-1250 °F).
Applications
ASTM AISI SAE 1020 Steel is versatile, with semi-finished products such as square steel bars, flat steel bars, round steel bars, and steel plates. It is utilized in the manufacturing of 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, and more. Additional applications include fabrication of steel channels, steel angles, I-beams, and H-beams.
AISI SAE ASTM 1020 Steel Equivalent Materials
SAE ASTM AISI 1020 Carbon Steel is equivalent to various international standards including European EN (Germany DIN EN, British BSI, French NF), Japanese JIS, and Chinese GB Standards.
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