SAE 1117 carbon steel

Introduction

We manufacture forging ingots, billets, and blooms in carbon steel specifically for SAE 1117, designed for medium-strength engineering and machining applications.

SAE 1117 is a medium carbon, higher manganese steel grade known for its good strength, excellent machinability, and improved hardenability compared to plain low carbon steels. The elevated manganese content helps achieve better Mechanical properties and uniform hardness after heat treatment.

This grade is widely used in automotive, general engineering, and machined components where a balance of strength, toughness, and cost-effective performance is required.

Chemical composition

Element Content (%) Function / effect
Carbon (c) 0.14 – 0.20 Provides basic strength and hardness
Manganese (mn) 1.00 – 1.30 Improves hardenability, strength, and toughness
Silicon (si) 0.15 – 0.35 Enhances strength and elasticity
Phosphorus (p) Max 0.040 Controlled to maintain toughness
Sulphur (s) 0.080 – 0.130 Improves machinability

Mechanical properties

  • Tensile strength: 540 – 620 MPa
  • Yield strength: 340 – 400 MPa
  • Elongation: 12 – 18 %
  • Hardness: 170 – 210 HB

(properties may vary based on section size and heat treatment)

Heat treatment

  • Normalizing – improves grain structure and uniformity
  • Quenching and tempering – enhances strength and toughness
  • Stress relieving – reduces internal stresses after machining

Key features and benefits

  • Excellent machinability due to controlled sulphur content
  • Better hardenability than standard low carbon steels
  • Good balance of strength and toughness
  • Cost-effective for mass production parts
  • Reliable performance in machined and forged components

Typical applications

  • Automotive shafts and pins
  • Bolts, studs, and fasteners
  • Machined components
  • Hydraulic and pneumatic parts
  • General engineering components

Equivalent steel grades

  • En 1.0715
  • Din 11smn30 (approximate)
  • Is 20mn (comparable properties)

Comparison table for similar grades

Grade Carbon (%) Manganese (%) Key difference
SAE 1018 0.15 – 0.20 0.60 – 0.90 Lower mn, lower strength
SAE 1117 0.14 – 0.20 1.00 – 1.30 Higher mn, better machinability
SAE 1020 0.18 – 0.23 0.60 – 0.90 Slightly higher c, lower mn
En 1.0715 ~0.17 ~1.20 European equivalent free machining grade

Summary

SAE 1117 is a versatile medium carbon steel with enhanced manganese content, offering excellent machinability, good strength, and consistent performance. It is an ideal choice for automotive and general engineering applications where reliability, ease of machining, and cost-efficiency are key requirements.