METAL PROPERTIES, CHAR, USES, AND CODES - OD1643 - LESSON 1/TASK 2
assume that a shop drawing indicates the use of 2340 steel.
The
first digit represents the major alloying element or type of steel to
which it belongs; in this case, a nickel alloy. In the simple alloy
steels, the second digit generally indicates the approximate
percentage of the predominant alloying element (3 percent nickel).
The last two digits always indicate the carbon content in points, or
hundredths of 1 percent (i.e., 0.40 hundredths of 1 percent carbon).
From this explanation, it can be seen that a 2340 designation
indicates a nickel steel of approximately 3 percent nickel and 0.40
hundredths of percent carbon.
The basic numerals for the various
types of SAE steel are as follows:
Type of Steel
Numerals/Digits
Carbon steel
1XXX
Plain carbon
10XX
Free cutting (screw stock)
11XX
Manganese steels
13XX
Nickel steels
2XXX
3.50 % nickel
23XX
5.00 % nickel
25XX
Nickel-chromium steels
3XXX
1.25% nickel, 0.60% chromium
31XX
1.75% nickel, 1.00% chromium
32XX
3.50% nickel, 1.50% chromium
33XX
Corrosion- and heat-resisting
30XX
Molybdenum steels
4XXX
Carbon - molybdenum
40XX
Chromium - molybdenum
41XX
Chromium - nickel - molybdenum
43XX
Nickel - molybdenum
46XX & 48XX
Chromium steels
5XXX
Low chromium
51XX
Medium chromium
52XX
Corrosion- and heat-resisting
51XX
Chromium - vanadium steels
6XXX
1% chromium
61XX
Silicon - manganese steels
9XXX
2% silicon
92XX
b.
Color Code. The Bureau of Standards, United States Department of
Commerce, has prepared a color code for marking steel bars. The work
of preparing this color code was undertaken initially at the request
of the National Association of Purchasing Agents. The color markings
provided in the code may be applied by painting the ends of the steel
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