AISI 1075 Carbon Steel Technical Overview

AISI 1075 carbon steel is a high-carbon steel grade valued for its specific properties, which can be achieved through heat treatment. Understanding its composition and characteristics is key to leveraging its application capabilities.

1. Chemical Composition

1075 steel falls squarely into the high-carbon steel category, which typically encompasses steels with carbon content ranging from 0.60% to 2.40%.

The standard chemical composition for 1075 grade steel, identified by UNS Number G10750 and specified under SAE J403, is as follows:

Carbon (C): 0.70% – 0.80%
Manganese (Mn): 0.50% – 0.80%
Phosphorus (P): 0.040% maximum
Sulfur (S): 0.050% maximum

Note: Related carbon tool steel specifications may list tighter maximum limits for Phosphorus and Sulfur (e.g., 0.03%).

2. Hardness

The significant carbon content allows 1075 steel to achieve substantial hardness levels when properly hardened. Steels with carbon levels around this range (approx. 0.83%) can reach hardness values up to Rockwell C 67 (RC 67). This high hardness potential makes 1075 suitable for applications demanding excellent wear resistance.

3. Heat Treatment

Its composition makes 1075 sensitive to thermal processing. It is a candidate for various hardening techniques, including induction hardening, particularly for applications requiring localized hardness on the steel surface. Careful control during heat treatment is necessary to achieve the desired properties.

4. Machinability and Applications

The high hardness achievable with 1075 steel makes it a common choice for tooling and components requiring durability.

Regarding machining, reference data suggests specific parameters for operations like turning with high-speed steel (HSS) tools. For AISI 1075, a suggested speed is 30 surface feet per minute (SFM), with a feed rate of 0.0115 inches per revolution (ipr) and a depth of cut of 0.075 inches for medium operations.

5. Equivalent Steel Grade

For international comparison, a closely corresponding European standard is available:

EN Standard: EN 10132-4:2000
Grade: C75S
Steel Number: 1.1248

FAQs

1. Is 1075 a good knife steel?

1075 steel can indeed be a good knife steel, particularly where high edge retention is a primary concern and the application does not subject the blade to extreme wear or highly corrosive environments.

2. Is 1075 better than 1095?

If maximum hardness and wear resistance are paramount and brittleness is acceptable, 1095 might be preferred. If a better combination of hardness and toughness is needed, 1075 could be a more appropriate selection.

3. Can you quench 1075 in water?

From a metallurgical standpoint, 1075 steel can be quenched in water. As a high-carbon steel, with a nominal carbon content in the range of 0.70-0.80%, it possesses the requisite carbon percentage to undergo martensitic transformation when subjected to rapid cooling from its austenitizing temperature. This transformation is the fundamental mechanism by which we achieve the desired hardness in such steel grades.

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