SAE International, as a standards organization, maintains several alloy numbering systems, one of which, for steel grades,

is the SAE steel grades system.

In the 1930s and 1940s the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and SAE were both involved in efforts to standardize
such a numbering system for steels. These efforts were similar and overlapped significantly. For several decades the
systems were united into a joint system designated the AISI/SAE steel grades. In 1995 the AISI turned over future
maintenance of the system to SAE because the AISI never wrote any of the specifications. [1]
Today steel quotes and certifications commonly make reference to both SAE and AISI, not always with precise
differentiation. For example, in the alloy/grade field, a cert might say "4140", "AISI 4140", or "SAE 4140", and in most lightindustrial applications any of the above is accepted as adequate, and considered equivalent, for the job at hand, as long as
the specific specification called out by the designer (for example, "4140 bar per ASTM-A108" or "4140 bar per AMS 6349") is
certified to on the certificate. The alloy number is simply a general classifier, whereas it is the specification itself that narrows
down the steel to a very specific standard.
The SAE steel grade system's correspondence to other alloy numbering systems, such as the ASTM-SAE unified numbering
system (UNS), can be seen in cross-referencing tables (including the ones given below).
The AISI system used a letter prefix to denote the steelmaking process. The prefix "C" denoted open-hearth furnace,electric
arc furnace or basic oxygen furnace, while "E" denotes electric arc furnace steel. [2][3] A letter "L" within the grade name
indicates lead as an added ingredient; for example, 12L14 is a common grade that is 1214 with lead added for machinability.

Carbon and alloy steel

Carbon steels and alloy steels are designated by a four digit number, where the first digit indicates the main alloying
element(s), the second digit indicates the secondary alloying element(s), and the last two digits indicate the amount of
carbon, in hundredths of a percent (basis points) by weight. For example, a 1060 steel is a plain-carbon steel containing
0.60 wt% C.[4]
An "H" suffix can be added to any designation to denote hardenability is a major requirement. The chemical requirements
are loosened but hardness values defined for various distances on a Jominy test.

Major classifications of steel

SAE

Type

designation

1xxx

Carbon steels

2xxx

Nickel steels

3xxx

Nickel-chromium steels

4xxx

Molybdenum steels

5xxx

Chromium steels

6xxx

Chromium-vanadium steels

7xxx

Tungsten steels

8xxx

Nickel-chromium-molybdenum steels

9xxx

Silicon-manganese steels

Carbon and alloy steel grades[5]

SAE designation

Type

Carbon steels

10xx Plain carbon (Mn 1.00% max.)

11xx Resulfurized

12xx Resulfurized and rephosphorized

15xx Plain carbon (Mn 1.001.65%)

Manganese steels

13xx Mn 1.75%

Nickel steels

23xx Ni 3.50%

25xx Ni 5.00%

Nickel-chromium steels

31xx Ni 1.25%; Cr 0.65%, or 0.80%

32xx Ni 1.25%; Cr 1.07%

33xx Ni 3.50%; Cr 1.50%, or 1.57%

34xx Ni 3.00%; Cr 0.77%

Molybdenum steels

40xx Mo 0.20%, 0.25%, or Mo 0.25% and S 0.042% [1]

44xx Mo 0.40%, or 0.52%

Chromium-molybdenum (chromoly) steels

41xx Cr 0.50%, 0.80%, or 0.95%; Mo 0.12%, 0.20%, 0.25%, or 0.30%

Nickel-chromium-molybdenum steels

43xx Ni 1.82%; Cr 0.500.80%; Mo 0.25%

43BVxx Ni 1.82%; Cr 0.50%; Mo 0.12%, or 0.35%; V 0.03% min

47xx Ni 1.05%; Cr 0.45%; Mo 0.20%, or 0.35%

81xx Ni 0.30%; Cr 0.40%; Mo 0.12%

81Bxx Ni 0.30%; Cr 0.45%; Mo 0.12%; and added boron[1]

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%

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%

Nickel-molybdenum steels

46xx Ni 0.85%, or 1.82%; Mo 0.20%, or 0.25%

48xx Ni 3.50%; Mo 0.25%

Chromium steels

50xx Cr 0.27%, 0.40%, 0.50%, or 0.65%

50xxx Cr 0.50%; C 1.00% min

50Bxx Cr 0.28%, or 0.50%; and added boron[1]

51xx Cr 0.80%, 0.87%, 0.92%, 1.00%, or 1.05%

51xxx Cr 1.02%; C 1.00% min.

51Bxx Cr 0.80%; and added boron[1]

52xxx Cr 1.45%; C 1.00% min.

Chromium-vanadium steels

61xx Cr 0.60%, 0.80%, 0.95%; V 0.10%, or 0.15% min.

Tungsten-chromium steels

72xx W 1.75%; Cr 0.75%

Silicon-manganese steels

92xx Si 1.40%, or 2.00%; Mn 0.65%, 0.82%, or 0.85%; Cr 0.00%, or 0.65%

High-strength low-alloy steels

9xx Various SAE grades

xxBxx Boron steels

xxLxx Leaded steels

Stainless steel
Main article: Stainless steel

Type 102austenitic general purpose stainless steel working for furniture

200 Seriesaustenitic chromium-nickel-manganese alloys

Type 201austenitic that is hardenable through cold working

Type 202austenitic general purpose stainless steel

300 Seriesaustenitic chromium-nickel alloys

Type 301highly ductile, for formed products. Also hardens rapidly during mechanical working. Good
weldability. Better wear resistance and fatigue strength than 304.
Type 302same corrosion resistance as 304, with slightly higher strength due to additional carbon.

Type 303free machining version of 304 via addition of sulfur and phosphorus. Also referred to as "A1"
in accordance with ISO 3506.[6]

Type 304the most common grade; the classic 18/8 (18% chromium, 8% nickel) stainless steel. Outside
of the US it is commonly known as "A2 stainless steel", in accordance with ISO 3506 (not to be confused with A2
tool steel).[6]

Type 304Lsame as the 304 grade but lower carbon content to increase weldability. Is slightly weaker
than 304.

Type 304LNsame as 304L, but also nitrogen is added to obtain a much higher yield and tensile
strength than 304L.

Type 308used as the filler metal when welding 304.

Type 309better temperature resistance than 304, also sometimes used as filler metal when welding
dissimilar steels, along with inconel.

Type 316the second most common grade (after 304); for food and surgical stainless steel uses; alloy
addition of molybdenum prevents specific forms of corrosion. It is also known as marine grade stainless steel due
to its increased resistance to chloride corrosion compared to type 304. 316 is often used for buildingnuclear
reprocessing plants.

Type 316Lis an extra low carbon grade of 316, generally used in stainless steel watches and marine
applications, as well exclusively in the fabrication of reactor pressure vessels for boiling water reactors, due to its
high resistance to corrosion. Also referred to as "A4" in accordance with ISO 3506. [6]

Type 316Tivariant of type 316 that includes titanium for heat resistance. It is used in flexible chimney
liners.

Type 321similar to 304 but lower risk of weld decay due to addition of titanium. See also 347 with
addition of niobium for desensitization during welding.
400 Seriesferritic and martensitic chromium alloys

Type 405ferritic for welding applications

Type 408heat-resistant; poor corrosion resistance; 11% chromium, 8% nickel.

Type 409cheapest type; used for automobile exhausts; ferritic (iron/chromium only).

Type 410martensitic (high-strength iron/chromium). Wear-resistant, but less corrosion-resistant.

Type 416easy to machine due to additional sulfur

Type 420Cutlery Grade martensitic; similar to the Brearley's original rustless steel. Excellent
polishability.

Type 430decorative, e.g., for automotive trim; ferritic. Good formability, but with reduced temperature
and corrosion resistance.

Type 439ferritic grade, a higher grade version of 409 used for catalytic converter exhaust sections.
Increased chromium for improved high temperature corrosion/oxidation resistance.

Type 440a higher grade of cutlery steel, with more carbon, allowing for much better edge retention
when properly heat-treated. It can be hardened to approximately Rockwell 58 hardness, making it one of the
hardest stainless steels. Due to its toughness and relatively low cost, most display-only and replica swords or
knives are made of 440 stainless. Available in four grades: 440A, 440B, 440C, and the uncommon 440F (free
machinable). 440A, having the least amount of carbon in it, is the most stain-resistant; 440C, having the most, is
the strongest and is usually considered more desirable in knifemaking than 440A [citation needed], except for diving or
other salt-water applications.

Type 446For elevated temperature service

500 Seriesheat-resisting chromium alloys

600 Seriesoriginally created for proprietary alloys, which are no longer given SAE grade numbers [7]

601 through 604: Martensitic low-alloy steels.

610 through 613: Martensitic secondary hardening steels.

614 through 619: Martensitic chromium steels.

630 through 635: Semiaustenitic and martensitic precipitation hardening stainless steels.

Type 630 is most common PH stainless, better known as 17-4; 17% chromium, 4% nickel.
650 through 653: Austenitic steels strengthened by hot/cold work.

660 through 665: Austenitic superalloys; all grades except alloy 661 are strengthened by second-phase
precipitation.
Stainless steel designations[8]

SAE
designation

UNS
designation

% Cr

% Ni

%
Mn

%C

% Si

%P

%S

%N

Other

Austenitic

201

S20100

1618

3.55.5 0.15

202

S20200

1719

46

205

S20500

254[9]

S31254

20

301

S30100

302

16.5

0.15

5.5
7.5

7.5
10.0

0.75

0.06

0.03

0.25

0.75

0.06

0.03

0.25

0.75

0.06

0.03

0.12

14

0.25

15.5

18

0.02
max

0.20

austenitic"; All values

nominal

1618

68

0.15

0.75

0.04
5

0.03

S30200

1719

810

0.15

0.75

0.04
5

0.03

0.1

302B

S30215

1719

810

0.15

2.0
3.0

0.04
5

0.03

303

S30300

1719

810

0.15

0.2

0.15
min

Mo 0.60 (optional)

18

11.75

0.32
0.40

6 Mo; 0.75 Cu; "Super

303Se

S30323

1719

304

S30400

1820

304L

S30403

1820

304Cu

S30430

1719

304N

S30451

1820

305

S30500

1719

308

S30800

1921

309

S30900

309S

810

0.15

0.08

0.75

812

0.03

0.75

810

0.08

0.75

0.08

0.75

0.12

0.75

1012

0.08

2224

1215

0.2

S30908

2224

1215

0.08

310

S31000

2426

1922

0.25

1.5

310S

S31008

2426

1922

0.08

1.5

314

S31400

2326

1922

0.25

316

S31600

1618

1014

0.08

0.75

316L

S31603

1618

1014

0.03

0.75

8
10.50

8
10.50

10.50
13

0.2

0.04
5

0.04
5

0.04
5

0.04
5

0.04
5

0.04
5

0.04
5

0.04
5

0.04
5

0.04
5

1.5

0.04

3.0

0.04
5

0.04

0.06

0.15 Se min

0.03

0.1

0.03

0.1

0.03

34 Cu

0.03

0.10
0.16

0.03

0.03

0.03

0.03

0.03

0.03

0.03

0.03

0.10

2.03.0 Mo

0.03

0.10

2.03.0 Mo

316F

S31620

1618

1014

0.08

0.2

0.10
min

1.752.50 Mo

316N

S31651

1618

1014

0.08

0.75

0.04
5

0.03

0.10
0.16

2.03.0 Mo

317

S31700

1820

1115

0.08

0.75

0.04
5

0.03

0.10
max

3.04.0 Mo

317L

S31703

1820

1115

0.03

0.75

0.04
5

0.03

0.10
max

3.04.0 Mo

321

S32100

1719

912

0.08

0.75

0.04
5

0.03

0.10
max

Ti 5(C+N) min, 0.70 max

329

S32900

2328

2.55

0.08

0.75

0.04

0.03

12 Mo

330

N08330

1720

3437

0.08

0.04

0.03

347

S34700

1719

913

0.08

0.75

0.030

348

S34800

1719

913

0.08

0.75

0.04
5

0.030

max, but 0.10 Ta max;

0.20 Ca

384

S38400

1517

1719

0.08

0.04
5

0.03

% Cr

% Ni

SAE
designation

UNS
designation

0.75
1.50

%
Mn

%C

% Si

0.04
5

%P

Nb + Ta, 10 x C min, 1
max

Nb + Ta, 10 x C min, 1

%S

%N

Other

Ferritic

405

S40500

11.5

0.08

0.04

0.03

0.10.3 Al, 0.60 max

14.5

10.5

0.04

0.03

Ti 6 x (C + N) [10]

0.04

0.03

0.04

0.03

1.25

0.06

0.60 Mo (optional)

0.12

1.25

0.06

0.06

0.15 Se min

0.12

0.04

0.03

0.751.25 Mo

1618

0.12

0.04

0.03

S44200

1823

0.2

0.04

0.03

S44600

2327

0.25

0.2

1.5

0.04

0.03

409

S40900

0.05

0.08

429

S42900

1416

0.75

0.12

430

S43000

1618

0.75

0.12

430F

S43020

1618

0.12

430FSe

S43023

1618

434

S43400

1618

436

S43600

442

446

SAE

UNS

designation

designation

11.75

% Cr

% Ni

%C

% Si

Mn

%P

0.15
min

%S

0.751.25 Mo; Nb+Ta 5 x

C min, 0.70 max

%N

Other

Martensitic

403

S40300

11.5
13.0

0.60

0.15

0.5

0.04

0.03

410

S41000

11.5
13.5

0.75

0.15

0.04

0.03

414

S41400

11.5
13.5

1.25
2.50

0.15

0.04

0.03

416

S41600

1214

0.15

1.25

0.06

0.15
min

0.060 Mo (optional)

416Se

S41623

1214

0.15

1.25

0.06

0.06

0.15 Se min

420

S42000

1214

0.04

0.03

420F

S42020

1214

1.25

0.06

0.60 Mo max (optional)

422

S42200

11.0

0.50

0.20

0.5

12.5

1.0

0.25

1.0

431

S41623

1517

0.2

440A

S44002

1618

440B

S44003

1618

440C

S44004

1618

SAE

UNS

designation

designation

0.15
min

0.15
min

1.25
2.50

% Cr

0.60
0.75

0.75
0.95

0.95
1.20

% Ni

0.5

0.02

0.15
min

0.901.25 Mo; 0.200.30

0.025

0.04

0.03

0.04

0.03

0.75 Mo

0.04

0.03

0.75 Mo

0.04

0.03

0.75 Mo

%C

% Si

Mn

%P

%S

V; 0.901.25 W

%N

Other

Heat resisting

501

S50100

46

0.10
min

0.04

0.03

0.400.65 Mo

502

S50200

46

0.1

0.04

0.03

0.400.65 Mo

Martensitic precipitation hardening

630

S17400

15-17

3-5

0.07

0.04

0.03

Cu 3-5, Ta 0.15-0.45 [11]