SAE AISI 4135 Steel UNS G41350: Composition, Properties, and Uses
When it comes to the world of high-strength, versatile alloy steels, SAE AISI 4135 stands out as a remarkable choice…
When it comes to selecting the right material for engineering and manufacturing applications, the choice of steel can make all the difference. SAE AISI 1038 steel, also known by its UNS designation G10380, stands out as a robust and versatile carbon steel. Its unique combination of chemical composition, mechanical strength, and thermal properties makes it a popular choice for a wide range of industrial uses. But what exactly sets SAE AISI 1038 steel apart from other steels, and why should you consider it for your next project? In this article, we delve into the detailed composition, properties, and numerous applications of this remarkable material, providing you with the essential knowledge to make informed decisions. Whether you’re an engineer, manufacturer, or simply curious about the intricacies of steel alloys, you’ll find valuable insights that highlight the significance and practicality of SAE AISI 1038 steel in today’s demanding environments.
SAE AISI 1038 steel, also known as UNS G10380, is a medium-high carbon steel widely used in various industrial and engineering applications. This steel is valued for its balanced combination of strength, ductility, and toughness, making it suitable for a wide range of structural and mechanical uses.
SAE AISI 1038 steel is appreciated for its moderate tensile strength, good machinability, and excellent weldability, which are essential for manufacturing processes that require precise shaping and joining.
The versatility of SAE AISI 1038 steel allows it to be used in many sectors, including construction, where it is used for structural components like beams and columns, and in the automotive industry for parts such as axles and crankshafts. Additionally, it serves in the production of various industrial equipment, including machinery and tools.
This steel is available in various forms, including bars, plates, and sheets, which can be supplied hot-rolled, cold-drawn, or annealed. The availability in multiple forms and conditions enhances its adaptability to different manufacturing needs. This flexibility makes it a preferred choice for many applications.
One significant advantage of SAE AISI 1038 steel is its ability to undergo heat treatment. Heat treatment can change its mechanical properties to meet specific application requirements. For example, quenching and tempering can increase its hardness and strength, making it suitable for high-stress environments.
SAE AISI 1038 steel is a reliable and versatile material, meeting the demands of various industrial applications with its balanced mechanical properties, ease of machining, and adaptability to heat treatment. Its widespread use in engineering and manufacturing highlights its importance.
SAE AISI 1038 steel is a type of carbon steel known for its specific chemical makeup, which affects its strength and uses.
Iron, the main element in SAE AISI 1038 steel, makes up about 98.6 to 99.05% of its composition. This high iron content provides the fundamental structure and properties typical of carbon steels.
Carbon, at 0.35 to 0.42%, gives the steel a good balance of strength and ductility. Manganese, present at 0.6 to 0.9%, enhances hardness, strength, and impact resistance, making the steel suitable for various mechanical and structural applications.
Phosphorus (0 to 0.040%) and sulfur (0 to 0.050%) are kept low to prevent brittleness, ensuring the steel maintains its mechanical properties.
SAE AISI 1038 steel may also contain trace amounts of residual elements like silicon, copper, molybdenum, aluminum, and chromium, which can enhance various properties.
Careful control of these elements ensures SAE AISI 1038 steel has the desired properties for diverse industrial and structural uses.
The Brinell hardness of SAE AISI 1038 steel measures between 170 and 180, indicating its resistance to deformation.
The ultimate tensile strength of SAE AISI 1038 steel is between 590 and 640 MPa (85 to 93 ksi), defining the maximum stress the material can withstand while being stretched or pulled before breaking. Its yield strength varies from 320 to 540 MPa (46 to 79 ksi), indicating the stress at which the material begins to deform plastically.
SAE AISI 1038 steel has an elastic modulus of 190 GPa (27 x 10^6 psi), measuring its stiffness. The Poisson’s ratio is 0.29, indicating how much the material will expand perpendicularly under compression. The elongation at break ranges from 14% to 20%, showing its ductility, and the reduction in area is between 40% and 45%, indicating its ability to undergo significant deformation before rupture.
The fatigue strength of SAE AISI 1038 steel ranges from 220 to 350 MPa (32 to 50 ksi), the stress level below which it can endure infinite stress cycles without failing. Its shear modulus is 73 GPa (11 x 10^6 psi), measuring resistance to shear stress, and the shear strength ranges from 370 to 390 MPa (53 to 57 ksi), indicating the maximum shear stress it can withstand before failure.
These mechanical properties make SAE AISI 1038 steel a versatile choice for industrial applications that require a balance of strength, ductility, and toughness.
SAE AISI 1038 steel starts melting at about 1420°C (2590°F) and is fully liquid at around 1460°C (2660°F). Knowing these melting points helps in processes like casting and welding.
SAE AISI 1038 steel has a thermal conductivity of about 51 W/m-K (30 BTU/h-ft-°F). This measures how well the material conducts heat. High thermal conductivity is useful in applications needing efficient heat dissipation, like heat exchangers or engine parts.
SAE AISI 1038 steel has a specific heat capacity of about 470 J/kg-K (0.11 BTU/lb-°F). This shows how much heat is needed to raise the steel’s temperature by one degree Kelvin. This is important for thermal management, influencing how the steel reacts to temperature changes.
SAE AISI 1038 steel’s thermal expansion coefficient is about 12 µm/m-K, though some sources say it’s between 16-17 e-6/K. This indicates how the steel’s size changes with temperature. Knowing thermal expansion helps prevent structural problems in applications with temperature changes.
SAE AISI 1038 steel has a latent heat of fusion of about 250 J/g. This is the energy needed to melt the steel without changing its temperature. This is crucial for melting and solidification processes, showing how much energy is needed for phase changes.
SAE AISI 1038 steel can be used mechanically up to about 400°C (750°F). This limit helps decide where the steel can be used without losing strength.
Understanding these thermal properties is essential for selecting SAE AISI 1038 steel for applications requiring specific thermal performance, ensuring the material performs optimally under the intended operating conditions.
SAE AISI 1038 steel has electrical properties typical of medium-high carbon steels. One key property is electrical conductivity.
The electrical conductivity of SAE AISI 1038 steel is approximately 7.0% of the International Annealed Copper Standard (IACS). This means the steel has relatively low electrical conductivity compared to highly conductive metals like copper. The low conductivity is due to the presence of carbon and other alloying elements that hinder the free flow of electrons.
When considering specific electrical conductivity, which accounts for the material’s density, SAE AISI 1038 steel has a value of around 8.0% IACS. This measure provides insight into how well the material conducts electricity relative to its weight, further highlighting its poor conductivity.
The low electrical conductivity of SAE AISI 1038 steel means it is not suitable for applications requiring high electrical conductivity. Instead, it is better suited for structural and mechanical uses where its strength and durability are more important.
SAE AISI 1038 steel is ideal for applications where electrical conductivity is not critical. Typical uses include:
These applications benefit from the steel’s mechanical properties, such as strength and toughness, rather than its electrical characteristics.
The electrical properties of SAE AISI 1038 steel, including its low electrical conductivity, make it ideal for mechanical and structural applications rather than electrical ones. Understanding these properties helps in selecting the appropriate material for specific engineering needs.
SAE AISI 1038 steel’s combination of strength, ductility, and toughness makes it a popular choice in engineering and manufacturing. Its mechanical properties allow it to withstand significant stress and wear, essential for high-performance components.
In machinery, SAE AISI 1038 steel is widely used for parts needing high durability and wear resistance. Gears, shafts, and axles benefit from the steel’s properties, ensuring long life and reliability under heavy loads and repeated use.
The automotive industry uses SAE AISI 1038 steel for critical parts that need high fatigue resistance and can endure dynamic stresses. Its machinability and strength make it ideal for crankshafts, connecting rods, and steering knuckles.
SAE AISI 1038 steel is used in construction and structural applications due to its excellent mechanical properties and availability in various forms. It is used for beams, columns, and reinforcement bars that need strength and ductility to support heavy loads and resist deformation.
Its durability and wear resistance make it ideal for valve and pump components. These components often face harsh environments and high pressures, requiring materials that maintain performance over time, making it suitable for large forged parts.
Its strength and toughness help it endure the demands of heavy machinery and industrial equipment.
Its machinability makes SAE AISI 1038 steel widely used for machined components. It can be easily shaped into precise parts, essential for detailed industrial components, and is available in both hot-rolled and cold-finished bars. This versatility lets manufacturers choose between the rough finish and lower cost of hot-rolled products or the tighter tolerances and smoother finish of cold-finished products.
SAE AISI 1038 steel’s strength, weldability, and machinability make it popular in various industrial and engineering applications. Its adaptability to different forms and heat treatments enhances its suitability for diverse uses, making it a reliable material in manufacturing and engineering.
SAE AISI 1045 steel, like SAE AISI 1038, is a medium-high carbon steel with slightly different properties and applications.
SAE AISI 1045 has a higher carbon content (0.43 to 0.50%) compared to SAE AISI 1038 (0.35 to 0.42%), resulting in enhanced hardness and strength. Both steels have similar manganese content (0.6 to 0.9%) and the same limits for phosphorus (up to 0.040%) and sulfur (up to 0.050%).
The thermal properties of SAE AISI 1038 and 1045 are nearly identical, including melting points, specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and thermal expansion coefficients.
SAE AISI 1040, with a carbon content of 0.37 to 0.44%, has similar manganese content and mechanical properties to 1038 and 1045, including tensile strength (620 to 670 MPa) and Brinell hardness (around 180).
In summary, while SAE AISI 1038, 1040, and 1045 share similarities, the choice depends on specific application needs, such as higher strength, better machinability, or enhanced weldability.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions:
SAE AISI 1038 steel, also known as UNS G10380, has the following chemical composition: Carbon (C) content ranges from 0.35% to 0.42%, Manganese (Mn) ranges from 0.60% to 0.90%, Phosphorus (P) is a maximum of 0.030% to 0.040%, and Sulfur (S) is a maximum of 0.035% to 0.050%. The balance of the composition is primarily Iron (Fe), which constitutes approximately 98.6% to 99.05%. Additionally, it may contain trace amounts of other elements such as Boron (B) from 0.0005% to 0.003%, Chromium (Cr) up to 0.150%, Copper (Cu) up to 0.200%, Molybdenum (Mo) up to 0.060%, Nickel (Ni) up to 0.200%, and optionally Lead (Pb) from 0.150% to 0.350%.
SAE AISI 1038 steel exhibits a range of mechanical properties that make it suitable for various applications. The key mechanical properties include an ultimate tensile strength of 570-640 MPa (82700-93000 psi) and a yield strength of 485-540 MPa (70300-78300 psi), with some sources indicating a broader yield range of 280-540 MPa (40600-78300 psi). The Brinell hardness is between 163-180 HB, while the Vickers hardness is approximately 170 HV, and the Rockwell B hardness is around 84 HRB. The elastic (Young’s) modulus ranges from 190-210 GPa (27-30 x 10^6 psi), and the shear modulus is 73-80 GPa (11-12 x 10^6 psi). The steel has an elongation at break of 12-20% in 50 mm and a reduction of area of 35-45%. The fatigue strength is 220-350 MPa (32-50 x 10^3 psi), and the shear strength is 370-390 MPa (53-57 x 10^3 psi). The Poisson’s ratio is between 0.27-0.30, and the machinability is rated at 65% based on AISI 1212 steel as 100%. These properties reflect a good balance of strength, ductility, and machinability, making SAE AISI 1038 steel versatile for use in structural components, machinery parts, fasteners, and pipe fittings.
The thermal properties of SAE AISI 1038 steel include a thermal conductivity of approximately 51 W/m-K, a specific heat capacity of 470 J/kg-K, and a coefficient of thermal expansion of about 12 µm/m-K. The melting onset (solidus) occurs at 1420 °C, while the melting completion (liquidus) is at 1460 °C. The latent heat of fusion is 250 J/g, and the thermal diffusivity is around 14 mm²/s. The maximum temperature for mechanical use is 400 °C, with a service temperature range potentially up to 500 °C, depending on specific applications. These properties are crucial for understanding the material’s performance in various thermal environments.
The electrical properties of SAE AISI 1038 steel are defined by its electrical conductivity. For equal volume, the electrical conductivity is 7.0% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard). For equal weight (specific), the electrical conductivity is 8.0% IACS. These values reflect the typical low electrical conductivity of carbon steels, which are not primarily utilized for electrical applications but are valued for their mechanical properties and durability.
SAE AISI 1038 steel is commonly used in various industries due to its balance of strength, weldability, and machinability. Typical applications include structural components such as buildings, bridges, and railway stations, where its moderate to high tensile strength and good weldability are beneficial. It is also employed in the fabrication of industrial equipment and pipeline components, automotive bodies, warehouses, and shipping containers, owing to its strength and formability. Additionally, this steel is used in the manufacture of commercial appliances and general fabrication needs, where its ease of machining and the potential for heat treatment to enhance strength make it a versatile material.
SAE AISI 1038 and SAE AISI 1045 are both carbon steels, but they differ mainly in carbon content and mechanical properties. SAE AISI 1045 has a higher carbon content (0.43 to 0.5%) compared to 1038 (0.35 to 0.42%), resulting in higher strength and hardness. Specifically, 1045 steel exhibits higher ultimate tensile strength (620 to 680 MPa) and yield strength (330 to 580 MPa) compared to 1038 steel, which has an ultimate tensile strength of 590 to 640 MPa and yield strength of 320 to 540 MPa. The Brinell hardness of 1045 is also slightly higher (180 to 190) than that of 1038 (170 to 180). However, 1038 steel has a marginally higher elongation at break (14 to 20%) than 1045 (13 to 18%), indicating slightly better ductility. Both steels share similar thermal and electrical properties, including thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity. SAE AISI 1038 is suitable for general engineering and forming applications due to its good weldability and machinability, while SAE AISI 1045 is preferred for high-strength structural parts in machinery manufacturing, benefiting from its better cold and hot workability and mechanical properties after heat treatment.
