Tech Talk
What is "Steel-Specification Number"?
A system of numbers developed by the AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) and SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) to identify steel. The first two digits in the code indicate the family and basic alloying elements. The final two digits indicate the approximate carbon content in hundredths of a percent. For steels with a carbon content above 1.00%, five digits are used. Numbers with L or S added indicate alloys incorporating lead or sulfur for improved machinability. A number of steels and alloys are identified under different codes, including tool steel, carbon tool steel, high speed steel, die steel, stainless steel, strainhardenable or workhardening steel, and nickelbase superalloys.
