1. Key Properties:
Medium Carbon Content: SAE 1040 is a medium-carbon steel with a carbon content of approximately 0.40%. This gives it a good combination of strength and ductility, making it suitable for parts that need moderate tensile strength and toughness.
Good Hardening Properties: SAE 1040 can be heat treated to achieve higher hardness and strength, particularly when used in carburized or quenched states.
Moderate Strength: Offers moderate tensile and yield strength, making it suitable for applications where moderate strength is needed but not extreme stress conditions.
Weldability: SAE 1040 has good weldability, though preheating may be required for thicker sections to prevent cracking and ensure high-quality welds.
Machinability: It provides good machinability in the annealed condition, making it easy to shape into various components.
Corrosion Resistance: While SAE 1040 offers some resistance to corrosion, additional surface treatments or coatings may be required in more corrosive environments.
2. Applications/Industries:
Automotive: SAE 1040 is widely used in automotive components like shafts, gears, axles, and crankshafts, where moderate strength and toughness are required.
Heavy Machinery: Commonly found in heavy machinery components such as gears, spindles, and connecting rods, which experience moderate to high stress.
Manufacturing: Used for manufacturing parts such as rods, brackets, and mechanical components that require moderate strength.
Agricultural Equipment: Utilized in agricultural machinery parts, including drive shafts, bearings, and gears, that must resist wear and tear under moderate load conditions.
General Engineering: Often used for general-purpose structural components, including fasteners, bolts, and axles.
3. Certifications/Standards:
SAE J403: SAE 1040 conforms to the SAE J403 standard for medium-carbon steels, ensuring it meets the required chemical composition and mechanical properties.
ASTM A519: This standard applies to seamless carbon and alloy steel mechanical tubing, which is relevant for SAE 1040 seamless pipes.
ISO 9001: Quality management system certification.
4. Chemical Composition:
Carbon (C): 0.37% – 0.44%
Manganese (Mn): 0.60% – 0.90%
Silicon (Si): 0.15% – 0.35%
Phosphorus (P): 0.040% max
Sulfur (S): 0.050% max
Iron (Fe): Balance
5. Technical Specifications:
Yield Strength:
SAE 1040: 330 MPa (minimum)
Tensile Strength:
SAE 1040: 550–700 MPa
Hardness:
SAE 1040: Approximately 170–220 HB (Brinell hardness), depending on heat treatment and processing.