Two steps of medium-carbon hardenability — SAE1035 at 0.32–0.38% C for formability, SAE1050 at 0.48–0.55% C for maximum hardness. Supplied spheroidized for blanking, then quenched to HRC 40–55 for gears, shafts, clutch plates and wrenches.
Medium-carbon grades bridge soft, formable low-carbon steel and hard, spring-grade high-carbon steel. The 0.13% carbon gap between SAE1035 and SAE1050 separates a part that forms easily from one that holds maximum hardness after heat treat.
SAE1035 (0.32–0.38% C) blanks and bends more readily before hardening — the default for complex-geometry gears and shafts. SAE1050 (0.48–0.55% C) trades formability for higher peak hardness and wear resistance — the call for simple-shape high-load parts like clutch plates and wrench jaws.
1035 for complex geometry; 1050 for maximum hardness.SAE1010 (≤0.12% C) is far more ductile but cannot through-harden meaningfully. SAE1035 / 1050 are the right choice when the blanked part must be quenched to a specific hardness for load-bearing or wear resistance — gears, shafts, clutch components.
1010 for soft/case parts; 1035/1050 for through-hardened parts.42CrMo adds Cr and Mo for deeper hardening and higher fatigue strength in heavy sections — the grade for large gears and high-torque shafts. SAE1035 / 1050 are the leaner choice for thin-strip blanks and small-to-medium components where alloy additions are unnecessary.
1035/1050 for thin-gauge strip; 42CrMo for heavy fatigue parts.Both grades share Mn and residual limits. The only specification difference is the carbon range. Actual heat chemistry confirmed on MTC.
| Element | SAE1035 (%) | SAE1050 (%) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.32 – 0.38 | 0.48 – 0.55 | Primary hardening and strength element |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.60 – 0.90 | 0.60 – 0.90 | Hardenability and deoxidation |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.040 | ≤ 0.040 | Residual; controlled for toughness |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.050 | ≤ 0.050 | Residual; controlled for shear-face quality |
Reference: SAE J403 / ASTM A109. Values typical per standard, actual confirmed on MTC.
Supplied in two conditions: spheroidized for blanking and forming, or hardened-and-tempered for finished load-bearing properties.
| Condition | Hardness (typ.) | Tensile (typ.) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spheroidized — SAE1035 | 150 – 180 HB | 450 – 550 MPa | Fine blanking, cold forming — part quenched afterwards |
| Spheroidized — SAE1050 | 170 – 210 HB | 500 – 620 MPa | Blanking of simple-geometry high-hardness parts |
| Q&T — SAE1035 | 40 – 48 HRC | 1,000 – 1,300 MPa | Gears, shafts, general machinery components |
| Q&T — SAE1050 | 45 – 55 HRC | 1,150 – 1,500 MPa | Clutch plates, wrenches, wear-resistant blanks |
Indicative only. Hardness depends on section size, quench medium and tempering temperature. Thin strip (≤2.0 mm) achieves the upper end. Typical per standard, actual confirmed on MTC.
Chemistry ranges overlap but are not identical. Confirm against your governing standard before substitution.
| Standard | SAE1035 approx. | SAE1050 approx. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAE / ASTM | SAE1035 | SAE1050 | Base reference (SAE J403 / ASTM A109) |
| GB (China) | 35# | 50# | GB/T 699; 35# C 0.32–0.40%, 50# C 0.47–0.55% |
| JIS (Japan) | S35C | S50C | JIS G4051; carbon machine structural steel |
| DIN / EN (Germany) | C35 / CK35 (1.0501) | C50 / CK50 (1.0540) | EN 10083; quenched and tempered steels |
Equivalents are approximate. For safety-critical parts, confirm full chemistry against your governing spec and the MTC.
1.0–3.0 mm SAE1035 strip, fine-blanked into gear blanks, then quenched and tempered to 40–48 HRC. The spheroidized condition ensures clean tooth profiles and consistent blanking tool life. SAE1035 is preferred here because the gear geometry benefits from its better annealed ductility.
2.0–4.0 mm strip for small shafts, spindles and axle components. SAE1035 gives a good balance of toughness and hardenability — after Q&T it delivers the strength needed for load-bearing shafts without the brittleness of higher-carbon grades.
0.8–2.5 mm SAE1050 strip, blanked into clutch disc shapes, then Q&T to 48–55 HRC for maximum wear resistance and spring-back control. The higher carbon gives the hardness needed for friction surfaces under repeated engagement cycles. See our clutch disc spring guide.
2.5–4.0 mm SAE1050 strip for open-end and combination wrench bodies. Blanked in the spheroidized state, then quenched to 50–55 HRC at the jaw and tempered for toughness in the handle. SAE1050's hardenability makes it the standard choice for hand tool bodies where jaw hardness is critical.
Full cycle conditioning the carbide structure for clean fine blanking and cold forming. Read more in our spheroidizing guide.
Multi-pass rolling to your gauge tolerance, with controlled surface finish. Thickness tolerances agreed per order and documented on the MTC.
Width tolerance and burr managed on our line — coils for progressive dies, sheets for blanking feeders. Narrow widths from 6 mm.
H&T strip to a specified hardness band for customers who want finished properties off the shelf. Flatness managed through tension leveling after heat treat.
These grade families share material, processing or application territory with SAE1035 / SAE1050.
SAE1035 / SAE1050 / C45E grades, hardenable for gears, shafts and load-bearing components.
Spheroidized low-to-medium carbon grades optimized for precision blanking of complex geometries.
SAE1070 / SAE1078 / 65Mn grades with higher carbon for spring force and edge hardness.
Include thickness × width, quantity, condition (spheroidized or H&T) and destination port. Reply within one working day.