Commonly Used Materials in North America
Structural steel
AISI 1018 is The most general steel grade. They are widely used as it has strength and high machinability and is low in price. Equivalent grades (SAE 1018, EN S275, DIN 1.0419)A283D,
A529 Gr.D is another widely used structural material, the material is used to manufacture channels, angles and beams. Equivalent grade (IS2062, JIS SS400, HG 260W/260WT)
Carbon Steel
AISI 1038, 1039, 1040 – Widely used for manufacturing machined components, this material can be welded with some precautions. Though can be hardened to 40 HRC this material tends to develop cracks when quenched in water, hardness control with oil quenching is also difficult. Equivalent grade (C40, EN8, JIS S40C)
AISI 1045 – This is one of the best available materials for manufacturing shafts, housings and other components subjected to severe loading. Hardness up to 50 HRC. Equivalent grade (C45, EN8D, JIS S45C)
AISI 1049, 1050 – Carbon steel with an adequate level of toughness and durability. Equivalent grade (C50, JIS S50C)
AISI 1055 – Normalized 1055 Carbon Steel, which relieves its internal stress. Added free-cutting elements enhance its machinability. It has higher mechanical strength than 1050. Equivalent grade (C55, JIS S55C, EN9)
Alloy Steel
AISI 4140 – A chrome steel with a small amount of molybdenum. Increased temper softening resistance and higher toughness. Good hardenability can be used in a high-temperature environment. Equivalent grade (42CrMoS4, JIS SCM440H, EN19)
36CrNiMo4 – Has very high tensile strength and can achieve very high hardness. An ideal choice for parts requiring high strength. Equivalent grade (SCNM439, EN24, 1.6511
15NiCr13 – Case hardenable material is ideal for manufacturing highly stressed gears, collets and gudgeon pins, couplings and drive shafts. Equivalent grade (EN36, 1.5752)
AISI 4135, 4137 – Used for shafts and pins requiring low hardness up to 35 HRC, sensitive to notching recommended only in case of lower stress concentration. Equivalent grade (JIS SCM435H, 34CrMoS4, 1.7220)
Die Steel/Bearing Steel
SAE 52100 – Tool steel used for making wear resistance parts and in case of high Hertzian stresses. The material is supplied hardened and tempered. Can be used for making ejector pins, balls, taps, gauges, swaging dies and roller bearings. High hardness up to 65 HRC. Equivalent grade (EN31, JIS SUJ2)
D2 – Can be air or vacuum hardened due to its high hardenability. Little heat treatment distortion and has very high abrasion resistance. High hardness up to 63 HRC. Equivalent grade (HCHCR, JIS SKD11)
Stainless Steel
304 – Austenite stainless steel, high corrosion resistance but less than 316, no magnetic permeability. Tensile strength 520 MPa, hardness 180HB.
316 – Austenite stainless steel, high corrosion resistance, no magnetic permeability. Mechanical properties are similar to 304.
440C – Martensite stainless steel, can be heat treated to achieve hardness 55 HRC or higher. Magnetically permeable, high abrasion resistance. Due to its martensitic structure, it has poor corrosion resistance compared to 304.
Aluminum and its alloys
5052 Aluminum Alloy – The most general aluminum alloy. Excels in corrosion resistance and weldability. Tensile strength 225 MPa, hardness 65HB.
2017 Aluminum Alloy – High strength material but has poor corrosion resistance and weldability. Tensile strength 390 MPa, hardness 105HB.
6061 Aluminum Alloy – Heat-treatable alloy, excelling in strength and corrosion resistance. Tensile strength 310 MPa, hardness 95HB.
7075 Aluminum Alloy – One of the highest strength aluminum alloys. Should be used in special cases. Tensile strength 550 MPa, hardness 160HB.
Copper and its alloys
This section will be updated soon.
Non-Metals
MC901 Nylon – MC Nylon is the most commonly used material in engineered plastics. It is used for various industrial purposes. Good in mechanical strength and abrasion resistance. Dimension stability is poor due to water absorption.
Urethane – This material is available in many varieties with a shore A hardness range of 15 to 95. Used for making resting pads and bumpers for shock absorption.
Nitrile Rubber, Fluororubber and Natural rubber are also used in place of urethane.
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