A basic four-digit system is used by the SAE system to designate the chemical composition of alloy steels and carbon steels. There is a possibility that AISI grades are quoted as SAE grades and very often the same steel identification number is present in AISI/SAE standards. A four-digit number is usually given to the AISI alloy steels and carbon steels. The alloying element in the AISI specification is indicated by the first two digits and the amount of carbon is indicated by the last two digits.
The first digit of AISI/SAE Steel Designation represents a general category grouping of steels. This means that 1xxx groups within the SAE-AISI system represent carbon steels. Because of the variations in some of the fundamental properties among the carbon steels, they are further divided into four classes. Thus the plain carbon steels are represented within the 10xx series containing a maximum of 1.00% Mn, resulfurized carbon steels are represented within the 11xx series, resulfurized and rephosphorized carbon steels are represented within the 12xx series, and non-resulfurized high-manganese (up-to 1.65%) carbon steels are represented in 15xx series. The non-resulfurized high-manganese carbon steels are developed for ensuring better machinability.
| AISI Steel | Specifications | |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel | 10XX | Plain carbon steel , Mn 1.00% max |
| 11XX | Resulfurized free cutting | |
| 12XX | Resulfurized - Rephosphorized free cutting | |
| 15XX | Plain carbon steel, Mn 1.00-1.65% | |
| Manganese Steel | 13XX | Mn 1.75% |
| Nickel Steel | 23XX | Ni 3.50% |
| 25XX | Ni 5.00% | |
| Nickel Chromium Steel | 31XX | Ni 1.25%, Cr 0.65-0.80% |
| 32XX | Ni 1.75%, Cr 1.07% | |
| 33XX | Ni 3.50%, Cr 1.50-1.57% | |
| 34XX | Ni 3.00%, Cr 0.77% | |
| Molybdenum Steel | 40XX | Mo 0.20-0.25% |
| 44XX | Mo 0.40-0.52% | |
| Chromium Molybdenum Steel | 41XX | Cr 0.50-0.95%, Mo 0.12-0.30% |
| Nickel Chromium Molybdenum Steel | 43XX | Ni 1.82%, Cr 0.50-0.80%, Mo 0.25% |
| 47XX | Ni 1.05%, Cr 0.45%, Mo 0.20-0.35% | |
| Nickel Molybdenum Steel | 46XX | Ni 0.85-1.82%, Mo 0.20-0.25% |
| 48XX | Ni 3.50%, Mo 0.25% | |
| Chromium Steel | 50XX | Cr 0.27-0.65% |
| 51XX | Cr 0.80-1.05% | |
| 50XXX | Cr 0.50%, C 1.00% min | |
| 51XXX | Cr 1.02%, C 1.00% min | |
| 52XXX | Cr 1.45%, C 1.00% min | |
| Chromium Vanadium Steel | 61XX | Cr 0.60-0.95%, V 0.10-0.15% |
| Tungsten Chromium Steel | 72XX | W 1.75%, Cr 0.75% |
| Nickel Chromium Molybdenum Steel | 81XX | Ni 0.30%, Cr 0.40%, Mo 0.12% |
| 86XX | Ni 0.55%, Cr 0.50%, Mo 0.20% | |
| 87XX | Ni 0.55%, Cr 0.50%, Mo 0.25% | |
| 88XX | Ni 0.55% Cr 0.50% Mo 0.35% | |
| Silicon Manganese Steel | 92XX | Si 1.40-2.00%, Mn 0.65-0.85% Cr 0.65% |
| Nickel Chromium Molybdenum Steel | 93XX | Ni 3.25%, Cr 1.20%, Mo 0.12% |
| 94XX | Ni 0.45%, Cr 0.40%, Mo 0.12% | |
| 97XX | Ni 0.55%, Cr 0.20%, Mo 0.20% | |
| 98XX | Ni 1.00%, Cr 0.80%, Mo 0.25% |