AISI 1095 Steel

SAE AISI 1095 steel is one of the most widely used 10 series steels, with good performance and low cost, with appropriate toughness and wear resistance, but poor corrosion resistance.

1095 Carbon Steel Applications

AISI SAE 1095 carbon steel can be made into steel billets, steel powder, which can be used as tool steel, blade steel, spring steel. 1095 high carbon steel uses mainly include chef knife, kitchen knife, pocket knife, mower knives, Bowie knife, hunting knife, doctor blade, wear parts, various springs, plow beams, ploughshares, scraper blades, and brake discs.

Datasheet & Specification

Below is material AISI 1095 steel datasheet and specification including chemical composition, mechanical properties, heat treat, density, thermal expansion coefficient, thermal conductivity, yield strength, hardness, etc.

AISI SAE 1095 Chemical Composition

The table below lists AISI 1095 carbon steel chemical composition.

AISI 1095 Mechanical Properties

SAE AISI 1095 steel mechanical properties are given in the table below.

Cold-rolled strip used for cold formed springs

Minimum tensile strength (Tempered), MPa (ksi): 1240-2340 (180-340);

Modulus of elasticity, GPa (ksi): 210 (30,000)

Annealed Hardness (HRB): 88

AISI SAE 1095 Physical Properties

Notes: 10-6/K = 10-6.K-1 = (µm/m)/°C

SAE 1095 Steel Heat Treatment

The following table shows 1095 steel heat treat and rockwell hardness.

Transformation Temperature

Notes: The austenitizing of 1095 steel is commonly used on parts where induction hardening is employed, the quenching medium is water, brine or oil. If oil quenching is used, the alternatively austenitizing temperature may be 815-870 °C (1500-1600 °F).

Normalizing

1095 steel normalizing temperature range is 845-900 °C (1550-1650 °F), typically normalized at 845 °C (1550 °F), and should be cooled in still air.

Full Annealing for Small Steel Forgings

Notes: The data are for forgings with a maximum section thickness of 75 mm (3 in.). For parts with a maximum thickness of 25 mm (1 in.), the time at temperature is usually at least 1 hour; for each additional thickness of 25 mm, add 0.5 h. The furnace cooling rate is 28 °C/h (50 °F/h).

Hardening of 1095 High Carbon Steel

Heat to 800 °C (1475 °F). Quench in water or brine. The oil quenching section below 4.75 mm (3/16 in.) is used for hardening. The hardness after quenching is as high as 66 HRC. The maximum hardness can be adjusted downwards by tempering.

Austempering

1095 high carbon steel responds well to austempering (bainite hardening). Austenitize at 800 °C (1475 °F). Quench in a agitated molten salt bath at 315 °C (600 °F). Hold for 2 hours and cool in air.

1095 STEEL FOR KNIVES

1095 steel, when used in knives, holds a great edge and is very easy to sharpen. However, the properties of this type of steel give it a tendency to easily rust if not oiled and deliberately cared for. These kinds of blades will usually have some kind of coating to combat rusting, but so long as the blade is properly cared for, rust should not be too great a problem for anyone.

Because 1095 steel can be considered more brittle than other types of steel, it is generally good for blades that are not too thin. It is easy to sharpen, but if a blade made with this type of steel doesn't have a decent amount of thickness behind it, it is liable to break easily. For example, it is not an appropriate grade of steel for tools, folding knives, or sushi knives.

1095 can be heat treated to increase its overall strength, but if 1095 steel gets brittle after that point, there is not much that can be done about it and it may break on you. Though it can be used in tools such as chopping knives, it is not necessarily the most effective choice. It shines, but there are other steels out there which are better formulated to be used in such objects. 1095, though not alloyed with chromium like stainless steel, takes a great polish very easily.