Overview
SAE/AISI 1075 Steel is a high-carbon steel containing approximately 0.70–0.80% carbon, offering outstanding hardness, wear resistance, edge retention, elasticity, and fatigue strength.
Compared with SAE 1060 and SAE 1050, SAE 1075 can achieve higher hardness after heat treatment while maintaining better toughness than ultra-high-carbon steels such as 1095.
SAE 1075 is widely used in:
- Flat Springs
- Leaf Springs
- Circular Saws
- Knives & Blades
- Agricultural Tools
- Industrial Wear Parts
- Cutting Tools
- Power Transmission Components
Due to its excellent balance between hardness and toughness, SAE 1075 is one of the most commonly used spring and blade steels worldwide.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | SAE/AISI 1075 |
| Standard | ASTM / SAE / AISI |
| UNS Number | G10750 |
| Material Family | High Carbon Steel |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Magnetic Property | Magnetic |
| Standard Forms | Strip, Coil, Bar, Plate, Wire, Forgings |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
| Carbon (C) | 0.70–0.80 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.50–0.80 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤0.35 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.040 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.050 |
The elevated carbon content allows excellent hardness and wear resistance after heat treatment.
Mechanical Properties
Annealed Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 700–850 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 420–550 MPa |
| Elongation | 8–15% |
| Hardness | 180–230 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | 200 GPa |
Quenched & Tempered Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 1000–1400 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 800–1100 MPa |
| Hardness | 45–58 HRC |
| Fatigue Strength | Excellent |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1370–1450°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 46 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.18 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 |
Like most high-carbon steels, SAE 1075 has limited corrosion resistance and requires protective surface treatment.
Common finishes include:
- Black Oxide
- Oil Coating
- Zinc Plating
- Nickel Plating
- Phosphate Coating
- Powder Coating
Weldability
| Welding Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| MIG Welding | Poor |
| TIG Welding | Poor |
| Arc Welding | Poor |
| Resistance Welding | Fair |
| Spot Welding | Fair |
Due to its high carbon content, SAE 1075 is generally not recommended for welded structures.
If welding is necessary:
- Preheating Required
- Controlled Cooling Required
- Post-Weld Heat Treatment Recommended
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Turning | Moderate |
| CNC Milling | Moderate |
| Drilling | Fair |
| Grinding | Excellent |
| Threading | Fair |
| Broaching | Moderate |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| 1018 | Excellent |
| 1045 | Good |
| 1060 | Moderate–Good |
| 1075 | Moderate |
| 1095 | Fair |
| D2 Tool Steel | Fair |
Heat Treatment
Annealing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 760–815°C |
| Cooling Method | Furnace Cool |
Normalizing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 840–870°C |
| Cooling Method | Air Cool |
Quenching
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 790–830°C |
| Cooling Medium | Oil |
Tempering
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 150–650°C |
| Purpose | Toughness Adjustment |
Hardness After Heat Treatment
| Condition | Hardness |
|---|---|
| Annealed | 180–230 HB |
| Quenched | 60–64 HRC |
| Tempered | 45–58 HRC |
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| SAE / AISI (USA) | 1075 |
| ASTM (USA) | ASTM A684 Grade 1075 |
| UNS | G10750 |
| GB/T (China) | 75# Steel |
| JIS (Japan) | SK75 / S75C |
| EN (Europe) | C75E |
| DIN (Germany) | C75 |
| ISO | C75 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Spring Steel Strip | Yes |
| Cold Rolled Coil | Yes |
| Steel Plate | Yes |
| Round Bar | Yes |
| Flat Bar | Yes |
| Wire Rod | Yes |
| Blade Stock | Yes |
| Forging Stock | Yes |
Typical Applications
Spring Manufacturing
- Flat Springs
- Leaf Springs
- Retaining Springs
- Industrial Springs
Blade Manufacturing
- Industrial Knives
- Shear Blades
- Circular Saw Blades
- Scraper Blades
Agricultural Industry
- Cultivator Blades
- Wear Plates
- Agricultural Knives
Industrial Machinery
- Wear Components
- Mechanical Springs
- Clamping Systems
Hand Tools
- Utility Knives
- Scrapers
- Cutting Tools
Power Transmission Industry
- Spring Components
- Retaining Clips
- Mechanical Locking Systems
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Turning | Moderate |
| CNC Milling | Moderate |
| Grinding | Outstanding |
| Heat Treatment | Outstanding |
| Spring Forming | Outstanding |
| Laser Cutting | Good |
| Waterjet Cutting | Excellent |
| Black Oxide | Excellent |
| Phosphate Coating | Excellent |
Advantages
Excellent Hardness
Can achieve very high hardness after heat treatment.
Outstanding Wear Resistance
Ideal for cutting and wear applications.
Excellent Fatigue Strength
Perfect for spring manufacturing.
Good Edge Retention
Suitable for blades and knives.
Cost Effective
Lower cost than alloy spring steels.
Excellent Heat Treatment Response
Provides predictable and consistent performance.
Limitations
Poor Weldability
Generally unsuitable for welded assemblies.
Lower Corrosion Resistance
Requires protective coatings.
Reduced Machinability
Harder to machine than lower-carbon steels.
Lower Toughness Than Alloy Steels
Not ideal for severe impact applications.
Comparison with Other Carbon Steels
| Property | 1075 | 1060 | 1050 | 1095 | 5160 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Content | 0.75% | 0.60% | 0.50% | 0.95% | 0.60% |
| Hardness Potential | Outstanding | Excellent | Excellent | Exceptional | Excellent |
| Wear Resistance | Outstanding | Excellent | Excellent | Exceptional | Excellent |
| Toughness | Good | Good | Very Good | Moderate | Outstanding |
| Spring Performance | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Moderate | Outstanding |
Comparison with Engineering Materials
| Material | Yield Strength | Hardness Potential | Wear Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAE 1075 | 800–1100 MPa | 64 HRC | Outstanding |
| SAE 1060 | 650–900 MPa | 62 HRC | Excellent |
| SAE 1095 | 850–1200 MPa | 66 HRC | Exceptional |
| 5160 Spring Steel | 850–1200 MPa | 60 HRC | Outstanding |
| D2 Tool Steel | 1000–1500 MPa | 62 HRC | Exceptional |
| 17-4PH Stainless | 860–1170 MPa | 44 HRC | Excellent |
Available Surface Finishes
Raw Finishes
- Annealed Finish
- Cold Rolled Finish
- Precision Ground Finish
- Blade Finish
Protective Finishes
- Black Oxide
- Oil Coating
- Zinc Plating
- Nickel Plating
- Phosphate Coating
Decorative Finishes
- Powder Coating
- Spray Painting
- Electrophoretic Coating (E-Coating)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is SAE 1075 steel?
SAE 1075 is a high-carbon spring steel known for excellent hardness, wear resistance, fatigue strength, and edge retention.
What is SAE 1075 used for?
Typical applications include:
- Flat Springs
- Leaf Springs
- Industrial Knives
- Saw Blades
- Wear Components
- Agricultural Tools
What is the difference between SAE 1075 and SAE 1060?
| Property | SAE 1075 | SAE 1060 |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Content | Higher | Lower |
| Hardness | Higher | Lower |
| Wear Resistance | Better | Excellent |
| Toughness | Slightly Lower | Better |
What is the difference between SAE 1075 and SAE 1095?
| Property | SAE 1075 | SAE 1095 |
|---|---|---|
| Toughness | Better | Lower |
| Hardness | Slightly Lower | Higher |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Outstanding |
Is SAE 1075 suitable for springs?
Yes. SAE 1075 is one of the most widely used spring steels worldwide.
Can SAE 1075 be heat treated?
Yes. It responds exceptionally well to quenching and tempering.
What hardness can SAE 1075 achieve?
- Quenched: 60–64 HRC
- Tempered: 45–58 HRC
Is SAE 1075 suitable for knives?
Yes. It provides excellent edge retention and toughness for industrial blade applications.
Why is SAE 1075 widely used in spring manufacturing?
Because it combines:
- Excellent Fatigue Strength
- High Hardness
- Good Toughness
- Wear Resistance
- Cost Efficiency
making it ideal for spring and blade applications.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for SAE 1075?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- CNC Machining
- Spring Component Manufacturing
- Blade Manufacturing
- Heat Treatment
- Quenching & Tempering
- Precision Grinding
- Black Oxide Finishing
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production