Explore the Superior SAE AISI 1020 Steel Properties – Unravel the C1020 Carbon Steel Yield Strength and Its Equivalent.
Discover the Excellence of ASTM SAE AISI 1020 Steel.
AISI 1020 steel, also recognized as C1020 steel in its meticulously cold worked (cold rolled or cold drawn) state, stands as one of the most prevalent plain carbon steels. Notable for its excellent machinability and weldability, SAE AISI 1020 mild steel can undergo hot rolling or cold drawing. Typically, it is presented in turned, polished, or cold drawn conditions. With its low carbon content, it exhibits resistance to induction and flame hardening.
Comprehensive Guide to AISI SAE 1020 Steel Properties & Specifications.
Below is an exhaustive data sheet that outlines the SAE AISI 1020 steel properties such as chemical composition, physical and mechanical characteristics, among others.
Chemical Composition Details
In-Depth Physical Properties
Melting Point: 1515 °C (2760 °F)
Density of 1020 Steel: 7.87 g/cm³ (0.0361 lbs/in³)
Thermal Expansion Coefficient: 10
-6
/K = 10
-6
.K
-1
= (µm/m)/°C
Mechanical Properties of SAE AISI 1020 Mild Steel
The data below exemplifies the mechanical properties of AISI SAE 1020 steel, highlighting yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, section reduction, and hardness under various conditions.
SAE AISI 1020 carbon steel Young's modulus (modulus of elasticity) in the as-received condition: 186 GPa (27×10
6
psi).
Impressive Machinability
The machinability rating of AISI SAE 1020 carbon steel is 65, benchmarked against a 100% machinability rating for 1212 steel.
SAE AISI 1020 Steel Heat Treatment Processes
Explore the heat treatment processes for SAE AISI 1020 mild steel, including normalizing, annealing, austenitizing, and more.
Normalizing of AISI 1020 Steel
The typical normalizing temperature for SAE AISI 1020 mild steel is set at 915 °C (1675 °F).
Annealing of AISI 1020 Steel
Recommended guidelines for full annealing of small carbon steel forgings (size ≤ 3 in.):
Annealing temperature ranges from 855-900 °C (1575-1650 °F), with a cooling cycle from 855 °C (1575 °F) to 700 °C (1290 °F). The furnace cooling speed is 28 °C/h (50 °F/h), resulting in a Brinell hardness of 111-149 HB.
Reheating (Austenitizing)
Reheating (austenitizing) temperatures for the hardening of SAE 1020 steel range from 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 temperature of 1020 carbon steel is maintained at 970-955 °C, often performed in a blend of methane and carrier gas. Post-carburizing hardening is generally executed 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
The typical forging temperature for AISI 1020 mild steel is a blazing 1290 °C (2350 °F).
AISI 1020 Carbon Steel Welding
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, with a temperature range of 590-675 °C (1100-1250 °F).
Application
ASTM AISI SAE 1020 steel is versatile, offering semi-finished products such as square, flat, and round steel bars, steel plates. Ideal for manufacturing truck, automotive, and agricultural equipment parts—including axles, mechanical components, 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. Additionally, it is commonly formed into steel channels, 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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