1080 Steel
SAE 1080 is a high-carbon spring steel known for its high strength, hardness, and wear resistance after heat treatment. This grade offers excellent resilience and fatigue resistance, making it suitable for components subjected to repeated stress. It is commonly used in springs, blades, cutting tools, and other applications requiring a combination of elasticity and hardness.
grades designations
SAE 1080 is a plain carbon spring steel produced to a defined chemical composition and standard mechanical properties. It contains approximately 0.75–0.88% carbon and 0.60–0.90% manganese, with minimal phosphorus and sulfur. The higher carbon content gives 1080 superior hardenability and tensile strength compared to lower-carbon spring steels such as 1060 or 1070. When quenched and tempered, it develops the strength and flexibility characteristic of high-performance spring steels.
SAE 1080 Specifications
Property
specification
Weldability
Due to its high carbon content, 1080 exhibits limited weldability. For fabrications requiring extensive welding, lower-carbon steels may be preferred.
Ease of Fabrication
Machining and forming are best performed while the steel is annealed. Once heat treated, machinability decreases sharply due to high hardness.
Thermal Cutting
Laser or plasma cutting of 1080 requires temperature control to prevent excessive edge hardening. The steel’s high carbon content can form brittle martensitic zones along cut edges.
Bendability
1080 offers limited bendability in its hardened state. Forming operations should be performed in the annealed or normalized condition prior to hardening.
Hardness
When fully hardened and tempered, SAE 1080 can achieve Rockwell C hardness values between 55 and 60 HRC, depending on section thickness and tempering temperature.
