1055 Steel
SAE 1055 is a medium carbon steel known for its high strength and wear resistance after heat treatment. This grade offers a balanced combination of hardness and toughness, making it suitable for applications where improved surface durability and impact resistance are required. It is widely used in automotive components, hand tools, and machinery parts where high strength and fatigue resistance are critical.
grades designations
SAE 1055 is a plain carbon steel produced to a defined chemical composition and corresponding mechanical properties. It contains approximately 0.50–0.60% carbon and 0.60–0.90% manganese, with minimal alloying elements. Strengthening is primarily achieved through heat treatment, such as quenching and tempering, which develops its high hardness and tensile strength.
SAE 1055 Specifications
Property
specification
Weldability
The higher carbon content of 1055 compared to lower grades increases hardenability and strength, but it also raises the risk of cracking during or after welding. When extensive welding is required, lower-carbon steels such as 1040 or A36 are preferred for easier fabrication.
Ease of Fabrication
Machining and forming of 1055 are best performed in the annealed condition. Once heat-treated, machinability decreases significantly because of increased hardness.
Thermal Cutting
Thermal cutting of 1055 requires attention to minimize heat-affected zone hardening. The high carbon content can cause brittle edges when plasma or laser cut without preheating.
Bendability
SAE 1055 exhibits limited bendability due to its higher strength and hardness. Bending operations should be performed in the annealed or normalized condition before any hardening treatment.
Hardness
In the heat-treated condition, 1055 can achieve hardness values between 50–55 HRC, depending on the section size and tempering temperature.
