Overview
SAE/AISI 1050 Steel is a medium-carbon steel containing approximately 0.48–0.55% carbon, offering an excellent balance of strength, hardness, wear resistance, toughness, and heat treatment response.
Compared with SAE 1045, 1050 steel provides higher hardness and wear resistance after heat treatment, making it suitable for components subjected to heavy loads, impact, friction, and cyclic stress.
SAE 1050 is widely used in:
- Gears & Sprockets
- Shafts & Axles
- Industrial Machinery
- Agricultural Equipment
- Springs
- Hand Tools
- Forged Components
- Wear-Resistant Parts
Compared with SAE 1045, 1050 offers improved hardening capability. Compared with SAE 1060 and spring steels, it provides better machinability and toughness.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | SAE/AISI 1050 |
| Standard | ASTM / SAE / AISI |
| UNS Number | G10500 |
| Material Family | Medium Carbon Steel |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Magnetic Property | Magnetic |
| Standard Forms | Bar, Plate, Forgings, Tube, Wire Rod |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
| Carbon (C) | 0.48–0.55 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.60–0.90 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤0.35 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.040 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.050 |
The higher carbon content significantly improves hardness and wear resistance.
Mechanical Properties
Normalized Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 620–800 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 350–500 MPa |
| Elongation | 12–18% |
| Hardness | 180–230 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | 200 GPa |
Quenched & Tempered Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 800–1000 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 550–750 MPa |
| Hardness | 28–40 HRC |
| Impact Toughness | Good |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1410–1480°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 48.5 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.17 μΩ·m |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 11.0 × 10⁻⁶/K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 486 J/kg·K |
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Indoor Environment | Moderate |
| Dry Atmosphere | Good |
| Humid Environment | Poor |
| Outdoor Environment | Poor |
| Marine Environment | Very Poor |
| Chemical Environment | Poor |
SAE 1050 has no inherent corrosion resistance and requires surface protection.
Recommended surface treatments:
- Black Oxide
- Zinc Plating
- Nickel Plating
- Hard Chrome Plating
- Phosphate Coating
- Powder Coating
- Electroless Nickel Plating
Weldability
| Welding Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| MIG Welding | Fair |
| TIG Welding | Fair |
| Arc Welding | Fair |
| Resistance Welding | Fair |
| Spot Welding | Fair |
Because of its higher carbon content, preheating and post-weld stress relief are generally recommended.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Turning | Good |
| CNC Milling | Good |
| Drilling | Good |
| Grinding | Excellent |
| Threading | Good |
| Broaching | Good |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| 1018 | Excellent |
| 1020 | Excellent |
| 1045 | Good–Excellent |
| 1050 | Good |
| 4140 | Good |
| 4340 | Moderate |
Heat Treatment
Annealing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 790–870°C |
| Cooling Method | Furnace Cool |
Normalizing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 870–920°C |
| Cooling Method | Air Cool |
Quenching
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 820–860°C |
| Cooling Medium | Oil or Water |
Tempering
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 400–650°C |
| Purpose | Strength & Toughness Optimization |
Induction Hardening
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Hardness | 52–60 HRC |
| Hardened Depth | 1–8 mm |
SAE 1050 responds exceptionally well to induction hardening.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| SAE / AISI (USA) | 1050 |
| ASTM (USA) | ASTM A29 Grade 1050 |
| UNS | G10500 |
| GB/T (China) | 50# Steel |
| JIS (Japan) | S50C |
| EN (Europe) | C50E |
| DIN (Germany) | C50 |
| ISO | C50 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Round Bar | Yes |
| Flat Bar | Yes |
| Square Bar | Yes |
| Forgings | Yes |
| Steel Plate | Yes |
| Wire Rod | Yes |
| Ground Shafting | Yes |
| Precision Bar | Yes |
Typical Applications
Power Transmission Industry
- Drive Shafts
- Transmission Shafts
- Axles
- Splined Shafts
Gear Manufacturing
- Spur Gears
- Helical Gears
- Sprockets
- Gear Blanks
Industrial Machinery
- Rollers
- Wear Plates
- Pins
- Mechanical Components
Agricultural Equipment
- PTO Shafts
- Drive Components
- Wear Parts
- Cultivator Components
Tool Manufacturing
- Hand Tools
- Tool Holders
- Fixtures
- Clamps
Forged Components
- Forged Shafts
- Connecting Components
- Structural Mechanical Parts
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Turning | Good |
| CNC Milling | Good |
| Grinding | Excellent |
| Induction Hardening | Outstanding |
| Heat Treatment | Outstanding |
| Forging | Excellent |
| Laser Cutting | Good |
| Hard Chrome Plating | Excellent |
| Black Oxide | Excellent |
Advantages
Higher Strength Than 1045
Offers improved load-bearing capability.
Excellent Wear Resistance
Ideal for moving and friction-loaded parts.
Outstanding Heat Treatment Response
Can achieve high hardness levels.
Excellent Induction Hardening Capability
Commonly used for hardened shafts and gears.
Good Toughness
Maintains durability under impact loading.
Cost Effective
More affordable than alloy steels.
Limitations
Reduced Weldability
Requires welding precautions.
Poor Corrosion Resistance
Needs protective coatings.
Lower Toughness Than Alloy Steels
Not suitable for extremely high-impact applications.
Limited Through-Hardening
Compared with alloy steels such as 4140 and 4340.
Comparison with Other Carbon Steels
| Property | 1050 | 1045 | 1020 | 1060 | 4140 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Content | 0.50% | 0.45% | 0.20% | 0.60% | 0.40% |
| Strength | Higher | High | Medium | Higher | Very High |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Moderate | Outstanding | Outstanding |
| Weldability | Fair | Good | Excellent | Poor | Moderate |
| Heat Treatment Response | Excellent | Excellent | Limited | Outstanding | Outstanding |
Comparison with Engineering Materials
| Material | Yield Strength | Hardness Potential | Wear Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAE 1050 | 550–750 MPa | 60 HRC | Excellent |
| SAE 1045 | 550–700 MPa | 58 HRC | Excellent |
| SAE 1020 | 350–420 MPa | 55 HRC (surface) | Good |
| 4140 Alloy Steel | 655–950 MPa | 60 HRC | Outstanding |
| 4340 Alloy Steel | 740–1080 MPa | 62 HRC | Outstanding |
| 17-4PH Stainless | 860–1170 MPa | 44 HRC | Excellent |
Available Surface Finishes
Raw Finishes
- Hot Rolled Finish
- Cold Drawn Finish
- Ground Finish
- Turned Finish
Protective Finishes
- Black Oxide
- Zinc Plating
- Nickel Plating
- Hard Chrome Plating
- Electroless Nickel Plating
- Phosphate Coating
Decorative Finishes
- Powder Coating
- Spray Painting
- Electrophoretic Coating (E-Coating)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is SAE 1050 steel?
SAE 1050 is a medium-carbon steel known for high strength, excellent wear resistance, and outstanding heat treatment performance.
What is SAE 1050 used for?
Typical applications include:
- Shafts
- Gears
- Axles
- Rollers
- Agricultural Equipment
- Industrial Machinery
What is the difference between SAE 1050 and SAE 1045?
| Property | SAE 1050 | SAE 1045 |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Content | Higher | Lower |
| Hardness | Higher | Lower |
| Wear Resistance | Better | Excellent |
| Weldability | Lower | Better |
Is SAE 1050 good for gears?
Yes. SAE 1050 is commonly used for gears, sprockets, and power transmission components.
Can SAE 1050 be induction hardened?
Yes. It offers excellent induction hardening performance and can achieve surface hardness of 52–60 HRC.
What hardness can 1050 steel achieve?
- Induction Hardened: 52–60 HRC
- Quenched & Tempered: 28–40 HRC
Is SAE 1050 suitable for shafts?
Yes. It is widely used for drive shafts, transmission shafts, and axle components.
Can SAE 1050 be welded?
Yes, but preheating and post-weld heat treatment are recommended.
Why is SAE 1050 widely used in machinery manufacturing?
Because it combines:
- High Strength
- Excellent Wear Resistance
- Good Toughness
- Heat Treatability
- Cost Efficiency
making it ideal for mechanical power transmission applications.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for SAE 1050?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- CNC Turning
- CNC Milling
- Gear Manufacturing
- Shaft Machining
- Induction Hardening
- Quenching & Tempering
- Precision Grinding
- Hard Chrome Plating
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production