SAE: SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE

ENGINEERS

Used to designate steel which is used for a/c

construction.

First digit indicates the type of steel.

2nd digit indicates Approximately. % of

predominant alloying elements.
Last 2 or 3 digit indicate C content in point
or hundredth of 1 % .
 SAE NO. SYSTEM

1. Carbon steel.

2. Nickel steel.

3. Ni-Chrome steel.

4. Molybdenum steel.
5. Chromium steel.

6. Chromium- Vanadium steel.

7. Nickel-Chromium- Molybdenum steel.

8. Nickel-Chromium-Vanadium steel.

9. Silicon-Manganese steel.
EFFECTS OF ALLOYING ELEMENTS
IN STEEL

CARBON

Higher the C content--- greater the ultimate

strength, hardness, range, but it will reduce
ductility, malleability, toughness, impact
resistance and weldability.
Manganese

Used as de-oxidiser & de-sulphuriser.

Steel produced is tough & improves forging

qualities.

Added to the steel not more than 1 %.

Gives the property of penetration hardness.

More than 1% will increase the brittleness of

the metal.
SULPHER

S more than 0.06% makes the steel brittle at

rolling or forging temperature which is known
as “ HOT SHORT”.

PHOSPHORUS

P more than 0.05% makes the steel brittle

when worked cold and is called as “ COLD
SHORT’.
NICKEL

It is malleable, ductile & weldable.

It increases the strength, hardness, yield point,

corrosion resistance characteristics & reduces
coefficient of expansion.

It is used for precision instruments.

CHROMIUM

It increases strength, hardness, wear

resistance & corrosion resistance of steel,
improves magnetic qualities & posses
excellent penetration hardness.

It is alloyed with Ni, Mo & V.

MOLYBDENUM

Reduces the grain size, increases elastic limit,

impact value, wear resistance & fatigue value.

It has got the property of air hardening.

VANADIUM

It improves grain structure, fatigue strength,

ultimate strength, yield point, toughness,
resistance to impact vibration & stress reversal.

Usually not more than 0.25% for making

propeller hubs & engine bolts.

Normally Cr & V alloys steel are used.

These alloys steel have good ductility & high
strength.

Springs, axles of wheels are made out of this

alloys.
TUNGSTEN

It is used for making cutting tools, due to its

“RED HARDNESS” property & will retain
their cutting edges at this temp.

TITANIUM

Added in small quantities and when added 18-

8% CRS, reduces embrittlement at the
operating temp. of exhaust stocks & collectors.
SILICON

Acts as a excellent deoxidizer.

Less than 0.3% Si is present in the steel which

improves the ductility in the metal.
 PRINCIPLE AIRCRAFT ALLOYS &
THEIR COMPOSITIONS

Carbon steels are :

Low Carbon Steel - 0.1 – 0.3% C

Medium Carbon Steel - 0.3 – 0.7% C
High Carbon Steel - 0.7 – 2.2% C
Wrought Iron - Traces to 0.08% C
Cast Iron - 2.2 – 4.5% C
SAE 1015

Used as a locking wire on nuts & turn buckles.

SAE 1020

Used for case hardened parts, often used for

bushing.

SAE 1025

Used to produce sheets for a/c purposes & nuts.

SAE 1035

Used to produce clevis ends, hand operated

shafts & gears.
 NICKEL CHROME STEEL

SAE 3115

It is hard, wear resisting, tough core which is

used for gear pins, piston pins, cam rings, push
rod ends & roller.

SAE 3140

Required for structural part, requiring high

strength & good fatigue qualities.
SAE 3250

Used for high strength machine or forged parts

subjected to severe wear.
 MOLYBDENUM STEEL

SAE 4037

Used in the manufacture of bolts, terminals, pins,

& similar parts.

SAE 4130

It is used for a/c construction for practically all

parts made of sheet & tubing.

It has got excellent welding quality.

SAE 4140

Used for wing-hinge fittings.

SAE 4340

This Ni –Cr-Mo steel with depth hardening

qualities, good impact & fatigue resistance.
 CHROMIUM-VANADIUM STEEL

SAE 6135

It is strong, tough, high fatigue resistance used

for propeller hub, welded steel blades, engine
bolts and nuts.

SAE 6150

Used for all important coil spring in a/c &

engine valve springs.
SAE 8620

This is National Emergency Steel, has got

good carburizing property.

SAE 8735

This is Cr-Ni-Mo national emergency steel

requiring for higher strength.
SAE 9260

It is Si national emergency steel, used for

heavy duty springs
 SPECIAL STEEL

Silicon-Chrome Steel :

Used for springs

Nitriding Steel :

Used for bushing & gear requiring great

surface hardness & wear resistance.
Austenitic-Manganese Steel :

It has got good wear & abrasion

resistance, used for tail skids.
 CRS

Excellent corrosion resistance, heat

resistance qualities and used for exhaust
collectors and such parts needs high strength
and corrosion resistance.
CRS has got three types-

Cr-Ni Steel :

Consists 0.02% or less C, 17-25% Cr & 7-

13% Ni.

Well known CRS consists of 18% Cr

&8% Ni, can not be hardened by heat
treatment
Hardenable Cr steel :

Contains 12-18% Cr and C up to 1.00 %,

hardened by heat treatment

Commonly used for making curtlery, bolts

and fitting.
Non-Hardenable Cr steel :

Contains 15-30% Cr and C up to 35%, can

not be hardened by heat treatment.

Not used for a/c construction.