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Steel Topic

The document discusses the classification of steels according to standards set by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). The SAE and AISI systems use number and letter codes to indicate the steel composition, specifically the carbon content and alloying elements. For example, SAE 1040 is a plain carbon steel with 0.40% carbon content and AISI C1050 indicates a basic open hearth steel with 0.50% carbon. The document also outlines the typical alloying elements used in different steel grades and their effects on steel properties.

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azher03
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424 views

Steel Topic

The document discusses the classification of steels according to standards set by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). The SAE and AISI systems use number and letter codes to indicate the steel composition, specifically the carbon content and alloying elements. For example, SAE 1040 is a plain carbon steel with 0.40% carbon content and AISI C1050 indicates a basic open hearth steel with 0.50% carbon. The document also outlines the typical alloying elements used in different steel grades and their effects on steel properties.

Uploaded by

azher03
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Classification of Steels

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has established


standards for specific analysis of steels. In the 10XX series, the
first digit indicates a plain carbon steel. The second digit indicates
a modification in the alloys. 10XX means that it is a plain carbon
steel where the second digit (zero ) indicates that there is no
modification in the alloys. The last two digits denote the carbon
content in points. For example SAE 1040 is a carbon steel where
40 points represent 0.40 % Carbon content. Alloy steels are
indicated by 2XXX, 3XXX, 4XXX, etc.. The American Iron and Steel
Institute (AISI) in cooperation with the Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAE) revised the percentages of the alloys to be used
in the making of steel, retained the numbering system, and added
letter prefixes to indicate the method used in steel making. The
letter prefixes are:

A = alloy, basic open hearth

B = carbon, acid Bessemer

C = carbon, basic open hearth

D = carbon, acid open hearth

E = electric furnace

If the prefix is omitted, the steel is assumed to be open hearth.


Example: AISI C1050 indicates a plain carbon, basic-open hearth
steel that has 0.50 % Carbon content.

Another letter is the hardenability or H-value. Example: 4340H

General representation of steels:


SAE - AISI Classification
Number

1XXX Carbon steels

Low carbon steels: 0 to 0.25 % C

Medium carbon steels: 0.25 to 0.55 % C

High carbon steels: Above 0.55 % Carbon


2XXX Nickel steels

5 % Nickel increases the tensile strength without reducing


ductility.

8 to 12 % Nickel increases the resistance to low


temperature impact

15 to 25 % Nickel (along with Al, Cu and Co) develop high


magnetic properties. (Alnicometals)

25 to 35 % Nickel create resistance to corrosion at elevated


temperatures.

3XXX Nickel-chromium steels

These steels are tough and ductile and exhibit high wear
resistance , hardenability and high resistance to corrosion.

4XXX Molybdenum steels

Molybdenum is a strong carbide former. It has a strong


effect on hardenability and high temperature hardness.
Molybdenum also increases the tensile strength of low
carbon steels.

5XXX Chromium steels

Chromium is a ferrite strengthener in low carbon steels. It


increases the core toughness and the wear resistnace of the
case in carburized steels.

86XX Triple Alloy steels which include Nickel (Ni), Chromium


(Cr), and Molybdenum (Mo).
87XX
These steels exhibit high strength and also high strength to
93XX weight ratio, good corrosion resistance.

94XX

97XX

98XX
Table 1. Classification of steels

Element Effect

Aluminum Ferrite hardener

Graphite former

Deoxidizer

Chromium Mild ferrite hardener

Moderate effect on hardenability

Graphite former

Resists corrosion

Resists abrasion

Cobalt High effect on ferrite as a hardener

High red hardness

Molybdenum Strong effect on hardenability

Strong carbide former

High red hardness

Increases abrasion resistance

Manganese Strong ferrite hardener

Nickel Ferrite strengthener

Increases toughness of the hypoeutectoid steel

With chromium, retains austenite

Graphite former
Copper Austenite stabilizer

Improves resistance to corrosion

Silicon Ferrite hardener

Increases magnetic properties in steel

Phosphorus Ferrite hardener

Improves machinability

Increases hardenability

Table 2. The effect of alloying elements on the properties of steel

Red Hardness: This property , also called hot-hardness, is


related to the resistance of the steel to the softening effect of
heat. It is reflected to some extent in the resistance of the
material to tempering.

Hardenability: This property determines the depth and


distribution of hardness induced by quenching.

Hot-shortness: Brittleness at high temperatures is called hot-


shortness which is usually caused by sulfur. When sulfur is
present, iron and sulfur form iron sulfide (FeS) that is usually
concentrated at the grain boundaries and melts at temperatures
below the melting point of steel. Due to the melting of iron
sulfide, the cohesion between the grains is destroyed, allowing
cracks to develop. This occurs when the steel is forged or rolled at
elevated temperatures. In the presence of manganese, sulfur
tends to form manganese sulfide (MnS) which prevents hot-
shortness.

Cold-shortness: Large quantities of phosphorus (in excess of


0.12%P) reduces the ductility, thereby increasing the tendency of
the steel to crack when cold worked. This brittle condition at
temperatures below the recrystallization temperature is called
cold-shortness.

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