SAE/AISI 1045 Carbon Steel (UNS G10450)
SAE/AISI 1045 carbon steel is a medium carbon alloy widely recognized for its balance of strength, toughness, and machinability. It responds well to heat treatment, making it ideal for applications requiring enhanced hardness, wear resistance, and durability across industrial and mechanical engineering sectors.
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| Chemical Composition | ||
|---|---|---|
| Element | Min | Max |
| Iron | 98.51% | 98.98% |
| Carbon | 0.42% | 0.50% |
| Manganese | 0.60% | 0.90% |
| Phosphorous | —— | 0.04% |
| Sulfur | —— | 0.05% |
The following table provides a list of SAE/AISI 1045 properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units.
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| Physical Properties | Metric |
|---|---|
| Density | 7870 kg/m3 |
| Mechanical Properties | Metric |
| Tensile Strength (Ultimate) | 565 MPa |
| Tensile Strength (Yield) | 310 MPa |
| Young’s Modulus (E) | 200 GPa |
| Bulk Modulus (K) | 140 GPa |
| Shear Modulus (G) | 80 GPa |
| Elongation at Break | 16% |
| Poisson’s Ratio (ν) | 0.29 |
| Brinell Hardness | 163 |
| Thermal Properties | Metric |
| Thermal Conductivity | 52 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) | 470 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL) | 1.15×10-5 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 1045 Carbon Steel
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Good strength and toughness | Limited hardenability |
| Cost-effective | Lower impact strength |
| Good machinability | Limited elevated temperature performance |
| Good weldability | Lower wear resistance |
Applications of 1045 Carbon Steel
Due to its mechanical strength, wear resistance, and workability, 1045 carbon steel is used in a wide range of industrial applications, including:
- Shafts and Bearings: Commonly used for manufacturing shafts and bearings due to its high strength, good hardness, and wear resistance.
- Gears and Sprockets: Suitable for gears and sprockets in power transmission systems, offering strength and wear resistance under stress and load.
- Machine Components: Used in bolts, nuts, studs, and axles for its machinability and mechanical performance.
- Tooling and Dies: Applied in moderate strength and wear-resistant tooling and die operations; can be hardened for forming, cutting, and stamping tasks.
- Automotive Parts: Utilized in crankshafts, camshafts, connecting rods, and structural components due to its strength and toughness.
- Construction Machinery: Found in excavator parts, crane components, and hydraulic cylinders for its durability in heavy-duty equipment.
- Hand Tools: Used in tools like hammers, wrenches, chisels, and punches for impact resistance and strength.
- Agricultural Equipment: Incorporated into plows, harrows, and tillage tools to endure tough agricultural conditions.