SAE/AISI 1040 Carbon Steel (UNS G10400)

SAE/AISI 1040 carbon steel is a widely used medium carbon steel known for its excellent balance of strength, machinability, and hardenability. It is a versatile material favored for various applications across industries due to its reliable mechanical properties, making it ideal for components requiring durability and wear resistance.
Chemical Composition | ||
---|---|---|
Element | Min | Max |
Iron | 98.60% | 99.0% |
Carbon | 0.37% | 0.44% |
Manganese | 0.60% | 0.90% |
Phosphorous | 0.04% | |
Sulfur | 0.05% |
The following table provides a list of SAE/AISI 1040 properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units.
Click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.
Physical Properties | Metric |
---|---|
Density | 7845 kg/m3 |
Mechanical Properties | Metric |
Tensile Strength (Ultimate) | 620 MPa |
Tensile Strength (Yield) | 415 MPa |
Young’s Modulus (E) | 190 - 210 GPa |
Bulk Modulus (K) | 140 GPa |
Shear Modulus (G) | 80 GPa |
Elongation at Break | 25% |
Poisson’s Ratio (ν) | 0.27 - 0.30 |
Brinell Hardness | 201 |
Thermal Properties | Metric |
Thermal Conductivity | 51 W/m·K |
Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) | 470 J/kg·K |
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL) | 1.13×10-5 1/°C |
Electrical Properties | Metric |
Electrical Conductivity | 4.1×106 S/m |
Electrical Resistivity | 2.4×10-7 Ω·m |
The values in this table are approximate and can vary depending on various factors such as the specific manufacturing process and heat treatment applied to the alloy.
Advantages & Disadvantages of 1040 Carbon Steel
Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|
Good Strength | Limited Hardenability |
Good Wear Resistance | Low Corrosion Resistance |
Good Machinability | Moderate Toughness |
Cost-Effective | Limited Temperature Resistance |
Applications of 1040 Carbon Steel
SAE/AISI 1040 carbon steel is utilized in numerous industries due to its advantageous combination of strength, toughness, and machinability. Common applications include:
- Machinery Components: Used to manufacture gears, shafts, couplings, and spindles, offering strength and wear resistance for power transmission and mechanical stress.
- Bolts, Nuts, and Fasteners: Ideal for producing fasteners due to its machinability and strength, ensuring secure and reliable connections in machinery and structures.
- Axles and Shafts: Its strength and toughness make it suitable for automotive and machinery axles and shafts, supporting torque transmission and rotational motion.
- Springs: Commonly used in spring manufacturing for automotive suspension, mechanical devices, and industrial equipment, owing to its resilience and ability to withstand repeated loading.
- Hand Tools: Employed in the production of durable hand tools like wrenches, hammers, chisels, and screwdrivers due to its excellent machinability and strength.
- Construction Components: Applied in structural beams, supports, and brackets, providing strength and structural integrity for construction applications.
- Agricultural Equipment: Used in components like plowshares and blades for agricultural machinery, benefiting from its toughness and wear resistance.
- Railroad Components: Utilized in railroad components such as axles, wheelsets, and couplers, offering strength and fatigue resistance for reliable performance under demanding conditions.