SAE/AISI 1040 Carbon Steel (UNS G10400)

Image of SAE/AISI 1040 bars

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.

Looking to buy steel?
Check pricing and availability through our trusted partner:

Online Metals - High-quality steel with fast shipping
Chemical Composition
ElementMinMax
Iron98.60%99.0%
Carbon0.37%0.44%
Manganese0.60%0.90%
Phosphorous0.04%
Sulfur0.05%

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.

Table of SAE/AISI 1040 Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
Density7845 kg/m3
Mechanical PropertiesMetric
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 Break25%
Poisson’s Ratio (ν)0.27 - 0.30
Brinell Hardness201
Thermal PropertiesMetric
Thermal Conductivity51 W/m·K
Specific Heat Capacity (Cp)470 J/kg·K
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL)1.13×10-5 1/°C
Electrical PropertiesMetric
Electrical Conductivity4.1×106 S/m
Electrical Resistivity2.4×10-7 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

AdvantagesDisadvantages
Good StrengthLimited Hardenability
Good Wear ResistanceLow Corrosion Resistance
Good MachinabilityModerate Toughness
Cost-EffectiveLimited 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.
Similar Alloys