scope:

Introduction - Steel compositions included in SAE Handbook are considered adequate for practically all parts made of wrought ferrous materials that are necessary for the production of automotive apparatus, and included grades that have been found commercially available and technically adequate for the service required of such parts. (SAE steel compositions should not be confused with specification, of which composition is only a part)

Only general applications of the SAE steels are indicated; definite applications are not shown, because-as it will be readily appreciated-the selection of a steel for a given part must be based upon an intimate knowledge of a number of important factors such as the severity of the service to be imposed, the detailed design of the part, the method of fabrication, its machinability, and the cost and availability of the material. It is only after a careful consideration of these factors that steels for the grate variety of automotive and other mechanical parts can be selected properly.