AISI 1020 is a low hardenability and low tensile carbon steel with Brinell hardness of 119 – 235 and tensile strength of 410-790 MPa. It has high machinability, high strength, high ductility and good weldability. It is normally used in turned and polished or cold drawn condition. Due to its low carbon content, it is resistant to induction hardening or flame hardening. Due to lack of alloying elements, it will not respond to nitriding. However, carburization is possible in order to obtain case hardness more than Rc65 for smaller sections that reduces with an increase in section size. Core strength will remain as it has been supplied for all the sections. Alternatively, carbon nitriding can be performed, offering certain benefits over standard carburizing.

AISI 1020 steel can be largely utilized in all industrial sectors in order to enhance weldability or machinability properties. It is used in a variety of applications due to its cold drawn or turned and polished finish property.

Chemical Composition

The chemical composition of AISI 1020 steel is:

Element Content

Carbon, C 0.17 - 0.230 %

Iron, Fe 99.08 - 99.53 %

Manganese, Mn 0.30 - 0.60 %

Phosphorous, P ≤ 0.040 %

Sulfur, S ≤ 0.050 %

Physical Properties

The physical properties of AISI 1020 steel are:

Physical Properties Metric Imperial

Density 7.87 g/cc 0.284 lb/in³

Mechanical Properties

The mechanical properties of AISI 1020 steel are:

Mechanical Properties Metric Imperial

Hardness, Brinell 111 111

Hardness, Knoop (Converted from Brinell hardness) 129 129

Hardness, Rockwell B(Converted from Brinell hardness) 64 64

Hardness, Vickers (Converted from Brinell hardness) 115 115

Tensile Strength, Ultimate 394.72 MPa 57249 psi

Tensile Strength, Yield 294.74 MPa 42748 psi

Elongation at Break (in 50 mm) 36.5 % 36.5 %

Reduction of Area 66.0 % 66.0 %

Modulus of Elasticity (Typical for steel) 200 GPa 29000 ksi

Bulk Modulus (Typical for steel) 140 GPa 20300 ksi

Poissons Ratio 0.290 0.

Charpy Impact

@Temperature - 30.0 °C/-22.0 °F 16.9 J 12.5 ft-lb

@Temperature - 18.0 °C/-0.400 °F 18.0 J 13.3 ft-lb

@Temperature - 3.00 °C/26.6 °F 20.0 J 14.8 ft-lb

@Temperature 10.0 °C/50.0 °F 24.0 J 17.7 ft-lb

@Temperature 38.0 °C/100 °F 41.0 J 30.2 ft-lb

@Temperature 65.0 °C/149 °F 54.0 J 39.8 ft-lb

@Temperature 95.0 °C/203 °F 61.0 J 45.0 ft-lb

@Temperature 150 °C/302 °F 68.0 J 50.2 ft-lb

Izod Impact 125 J 92.2 ft-lb

Shear Modulus (Typical for steel) 80.0 GPa 11600 ksi

Machining

In the cold drawn or turned and polished condition, AISI 1020 steel has high machinability. As per recommendations of machine manufacturers, AISI 1020 steel can be used for drilling, turning, milling and tapping operations using suitable feeds, tool type and speeds.

Weldability

AISI 1020 can be welded by performing the most common welding processes. In the cold drawn or turned and polished condition, it has better weldability. It has been suggested that the welding process should not be performed in heat treated or carburized condition.

Applications

AISI 1020 steel is used in case hardened condition. The applications of AISI 1020 steel are:

 It is used for simple structural application such as cold headed bolts.  AISI 1020 steel also finds use in the following components: o axles o general engineering parts and components o machinery parts o shafts o camshafts o gudgon pins o ratchets o light duty gears o worm gears and o spindles