AISI 1045 / SAE 1045 steel (informally known as ‘1045 steel’) is one of the most commonly used medium carbon steels in the decade due to its great demands, moderate cost and extensive availability. It has a carbon content of 0.45%. It has a good balance of strength, ductility, weldability, and hardness for easy fabrication, and is readily machinable in the annealed state.
AISI 1045 / SAE 1045 steel is characterized by good weldability, good machinability, and high strength and impact properties in either the normalized or hot rolled condition. It has a low through-hardening capability, with litle inherent hardness. However, it should be subjected to an annealing treatment if extensive machining is going to be performed.
AISI 1045 / SAE 1045 steel has a very good tensile strength and can be heat treated to a variety of different strength levels. It is typically used in applications that require a higher strength than low carbon steel, but does not require the low temperature impact resistance of many alloy steels. This steel is ideal for shafts and machinery components that must support high loads without cranking or bending.
AISI 1045 / SAE 1045 steel is often used in automotive components and transmission components, including powertrain and driveline components, as well as in agricultural equipment and parts. It can also be used for connecting rods, gears, pins and shafts, as well as in drilling, milling, and turning applications.
AISI 1045 / SAE 1045 steel also has excellent weldability and can be welded using all conventional welding techniques. It can also be flame hardened to a temper which allows for significant machining while still retaining its strength and hardness.
AISI 1045 / SAE 1045 steel is ideal for components such as crankshafts, spindles, shafts, axles, gears, bolts, pins and studs. It can also be used in parts such as motor covers, rollers, cams, levers, brackets and fixtures. It is also used in the manufacture of various automotive, agricultural, and industrial components.
AISI 1045 / SAE 1045 steel is an economical steel which can be hardened by quenching (quench-hardening) and tempering. The steel can also be quenched and tempered at high temperatures for an even greater combination of strength and ductility. It can be flame or induction hardened to produce a harder surface.
AISI 1045 / SAE 1045 steel offers the best in strength to weight ratio among all of the medium carbon steels. The combination of impact and load bearing properties makes it a good choice for a variety of mechanical and structural applications. With its reasonable price and versatility, AISI 1045 / SAE 1045 steel is an excellent choice for both cost effectiveness and performance.
