ASTM A519 1040 Seamless Tube is a medium carbon seamless mechanical tube which is made according to the ASTM A519 standard. Featuring a carbon content of 0.37 - 0.44% and manganese of 0.60 - 0.90%, Grade 1040 ensures reliable combination of high strength, machinability and heat treatability which makes Grade 1040 ideal for manufacturing axles, spindles, studs and precise machine components requiring exact dimensions. This steel grade can be supplied in either cold drawn seamless (CDS) or hot finished seamless (HFS) conditions and can be normalized, quenched and tempered to achieve higher mechanical characteristics. Engineers in need for better mechanical performance in comparison with low carbon steel, but not willing to pay the extra price for alloy steel will always choose Grade 1040 as an economical option. It can be difficult to determine which is the better option between Grade 1040 or its closest alternative. To assist engineers USA Piping Solution help them to make the right decision when ordering for the first time, we have put together a table comparing Grade 1040 and ASTM A519 1045 Seamless Tube
ASTM A519 1040 Specification
ASTM A519 1040 seamless tube is produced under the Standard Specification for Seamless Carbon and Alloy Steel Mechanical Tubing. The table below summarizes the key specification data engineers and procurement teams need for material selection, purchase orders, and quality documentation.
| Specification Item | Details |
|---|---|
| ASTM Standard | ASTM A519 |
| ASME Equivalent | ASME SA519 Grade 1040 |
| Grade Designation | 1040 / AISI 1040 / SAE 1040 / UNS G10400 |
| Steel Type | Medium Carbon Steel |
| Tube Form | Seamless, Hot Finished (HFS) and Cold Drawn (CDS) |
| Scope | Carbon and alloy steel seamless mechanical tubing up to 12.75 in (325 mm) OD |
| Related Specifications | AISI 1040, SAE 1040, ASME SA519, DIN 1.0511, JIS S40C |
| Testing Standards | ASTM A370, ASTM A751, ASTM A1058 |
| Certification | EN 10204 Type 3.1 / 3.2 Mill Test Report (MTR) |
| Min Wall Tolerance | Not more than 12.5% under nominal wall at any point |
1040 vs 1045 Carbon Steel Tube Comparison
| Property | Grade 1040 | Grade 1045 | Difference | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon % | 0.37 to 0.44 | 0.43 to 0.50 | Lower in 1040 | Easier to weld |
| Manganese % | 0.60 to 0.90 | 0.60 to 0.90 | Same | Equal hardenability from manganese |
| Min UTS (CDS) | 620 MPa / 90 ksi | 655 MPa / 95 ksi | +35 MPa in 1045 | 1045 holds tighter stress |
| Min Yield (CDS) | 485 MPa / 70 ksi | 515 MPa / 75 ksi | +30 MPa in 1045 | 1045 resists permanent deformation better |
| Hardness (annealed) | About 170 to 210 HB | About 180 to 220 HB | 1045 slightly harder | Better wear resistance in 1045 |
| Heat Treat Response | Good | Very good | 1045 responds better to Q+T | 1040 sufficient for moderate loads |
| Weldability | Moderate | Lower | 1040 easier to weld | 1040 preferred where welding is needed |
| Relative Cost | Lower | Slightly higher | 1040 more economical | Use 1040 when 1045 strength is not required |
| Typical Applications | Axles, studs, general shafts | Crankshafts, gears, hydraulic shafts | 1045 for higher-stress parts | Match grade to design load |
For applications where the higher strength ceiling of 1045 is genuinely required, see our ASTM A519 1045 Seamless Tube page for the full condition matrix.
Applications of ASTM A519 1040 Seamless Tube
Grade 1040 occupies the productive middle ground between low-carbon tube grades and alloy steels. Its combination of machinability, moderate strength, and heat treat response makes it the preferred material for a wide range of precision mechanical components.
- Axles and rear axle shafts in automotive and light vehicle drivelines
- Spindles for machine tools and lathe fixtures where moderate load capacity is required
- Threaded studs, bolts, and fastener blanks machined from tubular stock
- Hydraulic ram and cylinder components where wall finish and dimensional tolerance matter
- Agricultural equipment shafts where a cost-effective medium-carbon grade is specified
- Power transmission shafts and couplings in industrial machinery
- Structural pins, clevis ends, and linkage components for construction equipment
When the application demands higher strength or hardness than Grade 1040 can reliably provide even after quench and temper, Alloy Steel Seamless Pipes and Tubes such as Grade 4130 offer the step-change in hardenability that plain carbon grades cannot match.
For the adjacent lower-carbon option, review our ASTM A519 1035 Seamless Tube page, which covers Grade 1035 for applications where ease of forming and lower-cost heat treatment are preferred over maximum strength.
Dimensional Availability for ASTM A519 Grade 1040 Tube
ASTM A519 Grade 1040 seamless tube is available in a broad range of outside diameters, wall thicknesses, and lengths. Both round and special sections can be produced to order.
| Parameter | CDS (Cold Drawn) | HFS (Hot Finished) |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Diameter Range | 0.375 in to 10.75 in | 0.5 in to 12.75 in |
| Wall Thickness | 0.049 in and up | 0.083 in and up |
| Length (standard) | 20 ft to 24 ft random | 20 ft to 24 ft random |
| End Condition | Square cut, deburred | Square cut, deburred |
| Surface | Bright, close-tolerance OD | Scaled or descaled |
| Special Lengths | Cut-to-length available | Cut-to-length available |
| Wall Tolerance | Max 12.5% under nominal | Max 12.5% under nominal |
All dimensions are produced under ASTM A519 Seamless Mechanical Tubing tolerances. Custom OD, ID, and wall combinations are available on inquiry for high-volume orders.
Heat Treatment for ASTM A519 Grade 1040
One of the most important commercial advantages of Grade 1040 is its response to heat treatment. This section covers the process parameters engineers use when specifying the condition of ASTM A519 1040 seamless tube for structural or machine component applications.
- Austenitising
Heat the tube to 820 to 870 ° C (1510 to 1600 ° F). Hold at temperature for sufficient time to ensure uniform austenitising through the wall. Time at temperature depends on wall thickness. - Quench Media
Grade 1040 is typically quenched in water or oil. Water quenching achieves higher surface hardness but introduces greater thermal gradient stress. Oil quenching is gentler and is preferred for complex cross-sections or components with tight tolerances. - Tempering Range
Temper immediately after quenching to relieve stress and improve toughness. The typical tempering range for Grade 1040 is 150 to 650 ° C (300 to 1200 ° F). Higher tempering temperatures reduce hardness but significantly improve impact resistance and ductility. - Normalising
For applications where stress relief and grain refinement are the primary goals without a full quench and temper cycle, Grade 1040 tube can be normalised by heating to 870 to 920 ° C (1600 to 1690 ° F) and air cooling.
For process selection guidance, see our Hot Finished Seamless Mechanical Tubing page, which covers the supply form most commonly specified for Grade 1040 in as-rolled and normalised conditions.
Other ASTM A519 Grades
The ASTM A519 specification covers a broad range of carbon and alloy steel grades. All grades below are available as seamless mechanical tube in CDS and HFS supply conditions.
| Grade | Type | Page Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1010 | Low carbon, highest machinability in A519 carbon grades | ASTM A519 1010 Seamless Tube |
| 1020 | Low carbon, versatile, most ordered A519 carbon grade | ASTM A519 1020 Seamless Tube |
| 1035 | Mid carbon, bridges 1020 and 1040 for moderate-load parts | ASTM A519 1035 Seamless Tube |
| 1045 | Medium-high carbon, highest strength in plain carbon A519 range | ASTM A519 1045 Seamless Tube |
| 1041 | Resulfurized medium carbon for improved machinability | ASTM A519 1041 Seamless Tube |
| 1541 | High Mn resulfurized, dual machinability and hardenability benefit | ASTM A519 1541 Seamless Tube |
| 4130 | Chromium-molybdenum alloy, highest strength in A519 cluster | ASTM A519 4130 Seamless Tube |