Hot Rolled, Cold Rolled, or P&O Steel, But What ALLOY IS IT?
Last Updated: April 15E, 2024
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It is valuable for blacksmiths (and for those in other metalworking trades, of course) to know the exact alloy of any piece of steel they are working with.
But it is VERY important to know the exact alloy when making products which, for instance, will need to be heat treated to meet parictular needs.
So this article attempts to show why it is often difficult to discover the alloy (or "chemical makeup") of a particular piece of steel, even if
it has some sort of Metals Standards Association designation attached to it.
The ANSWER, as you will see, is that the various standards organizations take different approaches to characterizing the varous materials.
Some approach the topic from a point of use standpoint, some look primarily at strength.etc., while a few do, actually report the alloy information that we often need.
!!! If your steel supplier can't tell you what alloy it is, GO SOMEPLACE ELSE!!
Just saying "it's hot rolled" doesn't cut it with me.
Here are listed several USA based Standards Associations that deal with metal-related standards:
Listed by:
Acronym
Name
Function
Example
------------
ASTM (I)
Performance testing (Much broader than just Metals)
Ex: ASTM's designation system for metals consists of a letter (A for ferrous materials) followed by an arbitrary sequentially assigned number.
These designations often apply to specific products, for example A548 is applicable to cold-heading quality carbon steel wire for tapping or sheet metal screws.
ASM (I)-
American Society for Metals (International)
Assay of Metals (Chemical analysis)
The ASM Handbook is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to the structure, properties, processing, performance,
and evaluation of metals and nonmetallic engineering materials.
To learn more about the features of ASM Handbooks Online, view the Demonstration Video.
ASM Handbook Online
(This organization seems to have collected all the standards from almost every other "Metals" organization in the world)!:
ASM Handbook in PDF
(The Steel section begins at Page 388)
Ex: (Properties) a steel that contains 1% carbon and 99% iron
SAE (I)-
Society of Automotive Engineers (I)
Stanards Used in the Auto Industry
Materials, Processes and Parts Council
Metals Technical Committee
-The Metals Technical Committee (MTC) controls specifications for Ferrous and Non-Ferrous: Metallic Wrought Products, Cast & Sintered Products, Metal Properties & Processes, and Metal Test Procedures.
Ex: (Metals)
SAE 1045/AISI 1045 Carbon Steel is a medium carbon steel which is characterized by good weldability, good machinability, high strength and impact properties in either the normalized or hot forged condition.
AISI-
American Iron and Steel Institute
ex:
Alloy Steel 4130 | UNS# G41300 also known as AISI or SAE 4130 is a low-alloy steel that contains chromium and molybdenum
and demonstrates good strength, toughness, machinability, and weldability.
ex:
Tool Steels
Notes:
AISI and SAE steel grades are two standards used to classify steel alloys based on their chemical composition and mechanical properties.
More links to metalworking topics on this website, mostly related to hot rolled steel:
How To Get Started Blacksmithing
Annealing In The Ash Bucket
Electrolytic Derusting