Classifications and Designations of Carbon and Alloy Steels

This article provides an overview of the different classification and designation systems of wrought carbon steel and alloy steel product forms with total alloying element contents not exceeding 5″. It lists the quality descriptors, chemical compositions, cast or heat composition ranges, and product analysis tolerances of carbon and alloy steels. The major designation systems discussed include the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)-American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) designations, Unified Numbering System (UNS) designations, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) designations, Aerospace Material Specification (AMS), and other international designations and specifications.