Overview
1020 is a general purpose low tensile low hardenability carbon steel generally supplied in the cold drawn or turned and polished condition, with a typical tensile strength range 410 - 790 Mpa, and Brinell hardness range 119 - 235.
 
Characterised by excellent weldability, very good machinability with reasonable strength and very good ductility.
1020 due to its very low hardenability will through harden only in very small sections to relatively moderate strength levels, and is therefore generally used in the cold drawn or turned and polished condition. It can however be carburised achieving case hardnesses over Rc 65 with smaller sections, reducing as section size increases. Core strength will remain as supplied for all sections. Alternatively it can be carbonnitrided offering some advantages over standard carburising.
It will not respond satisfactorily to flame or induction hardening due to its low carbon content, nor to nitriding due to a lack of suitable alloying elements.
1020 is used extensively by all industry sectors for applications requiring good machinability or excellent weldability when high strength is not required plus lightly stressed carburised parts. It is also often used un-machined as supplied, its bright cold drawn or turned and polished finish being acceptable for many applications.
Typical applications are: Axles, General Engineering Parts and Components, Machinery Parts, Shafts etc. or Carburised: Camshafts, Light Duty Gears, Gudgon Pins, Ratchets, Spindles, Worm Gears etc.