Medium-carbon steels are similar to low-carbon steels except that the carbon ranges from 0.

30 to
0.60% and the manganese from 0.60 to 1.65%. Increasing the carbon content to approximately 0.5%
with an accompanying increase in manganese allows medium carbon steels to be used in the quenched
and tempered condition. The uses of medium carbon-manganese steels include shafts, axles, gears,
crankshafts, couplings and forgings. Steels in the 0.40 to 0.60% C range are also used for rails, railway
wheels and rail axles.

Medium Carbon Steel

Have between .3 and .8% carbon.

Special Advantages

_ Machinability is 60-70%; therefore cut slightly better than low carbon steels. Both hot and cold rolled
steels machine better when annealed. Less machinable than high carbon steel since that is very hard
steel. [When welding, there may be some martensite when extreme rapid cooling. So preheat (500-
600F) and postheat at 100-1200F will help remove brittle structure.]

_ Good toughness and ductility. Enough carbon to be quenched to form martensite and bainite (if the
sectionsize is small)

_ A goodbalance of properties can be found. That is optimum carbon level where high toughness and
ductility (of the low carbon steels) is compromised with the strength and hardness of the increased
carbon.

_ Extremely popular and have numerous applications.

_ Fair formability

_ Responds to heat treatment but is often used in the natural condition.

Typical Uses

_ 0.3-0.4: lead screws, gears, worms, spindles, shafts, and machine parts.

_ 0.4-0.5: crankshafts, gears, axles, mandrels, tool shanks, and heat-treated machine parts.

_ 0.6-0.7: called “low carbon tool steel” and is used where a keen edge is not necessary, but where
shock strength is wanted. Drop hammers dies, set screws, screwdrivers, and arbors.

_ 0.7-0.8: tough and hard steel. Anvil faces, band saws,hammers, wrenches, cable wire, etc.
Medium-carbon steels (AISI 1029-1053, 1137-1151, and 1541-1552) can be heat treated to
have a good balance of ductility and strength. These steels are typically used in large parts,
forgings, and machined components.

Bolts, rods, crankshafts, and tubings in the automotive industry are generally made of AISI 1040
and its modifications. Axles, gears, and components that require higher hardness and wear
resistance are frequently made of AISI 1050.

Mechanical Properties

 Conditions 
Properties
T (°C) Treatment
Density (×1000 kg/m3) 7.845 25  
Poisson's Ratio 0.27-0.30 25  
Elastic Modulus (GPa) 190-210 25  
Tensile Strength (Mpa) 518.8 
Yield Strength (Mpa) 353.4 
25  annealed at 790°C  more
Elongation (%) 30.2 
Reduction in Area (%) 57.2 
Hardness (HB) 149  25  annealed at 790°C more
Impact Strength (J)
44.3  25  annealed at 790°C  more
(Izod)