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SAE J1249-2024: Retired Steel Grades and the New PS Numbering System
🛠️ Engineers specifying steel grades for legacy repairs or new designs need to be aware of SAE J1249-2024. This SAE Information Report consolidates and retires earlier documents (SAE J778 and SAE J118) that listed once-standard carbon and alloy steels no longer actively used. It also ends the EX-steel numbering system for experimental alloys, replacing it with PS (Potential Standard) numbers. Understanding this report helps avoid specifying obsolete grades and ensures compliance with current SAE standards.
What SAE J1249-2024 Covers
The document provides chemical compositions for steels removed from SAE J778 (alloy steels, deletions since 1936), SAE J118 (carbon steels, deletions since 1952), and all EX-steels formerly in SAE J1081. It notes that future experimental steels will receive PS numbers instead of EX numbers. The report is stabilized — meaning the technology is mature and no further periodic reviews are planned. Users are responsible for verifying references and continued suitability.
🔍 Key Point: SAE J1249 is an information report, not an active standard. Steels listed are no longer considered standard. Always verify availability and current standard status with producers before specification.
Former Carbon and Alloy Steels – Examples from Table 1
Table 1 of the report lists former standard SAE steels with their chemical compositions, UNS numbers (where assigned), and the last year they appeared in the SAE Handbook. Below is a sample of listed grades:
| SAE No. | UNS No. | C | Mn | Cr | Ni | Mo | Last Listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1009 | — | 0.15 max | 0.60 max | — | — | — | 1965 |
| 1011 | G10110 | 0.09–0.14 | 0.60–0.90 | — | — | — | 1993 |
| 1034 | — | 0.32–0.38 | 0.50–0.80 | — | — | — | 1968 |
| 1320 | — | 0.18–0.23 | 1.60–1.90 | — | — | — | 1956 |
| 1330 | G13300 | 0.28–0.33 | 1.60–1.90 | — | — | — | 1993 |
| 4317 | — | 0.15–0.20 | 0.45–0.65 | 0.40–0.60 | 1.65–2.00 | 0.20–0.30 | 1953 |
| 4621 | G46210 | 0.18–0.23 | 0.70–0.90 | — | 1.65–2.00 | 0.20–0.30 | 1977 |
The full table in the report contains dozens of grades; consult SAE J1249-2024 for the complete list, including EX-steels from J1081.
The Shift from EX to PS Steels ⚠️
Historically, experimental steels were assigned “EX” numbers in SAE J1081. With J1249, all EX-steels have been deleted, and new experimental grades will be designated as Potential Standard (PS) steels. This change reduces confusion and aligns with current industry practice. Engineers should no longer use EX numbers for new experimental alloys.
⚠️ Caution: Reinstatement of a former steel to standard status is possible if usage justifies it, following criteria in SAE J403 (carbon steels) and SAE J404 (alloy steels). Do not assume a grade listed in J1249 is still available without contacting producers.
Engineering Design Implications
For new projects, specify steels from the active SAE J403 or J404 standards, or consider a PS steel if suitable. Use SAE J1249 only as a reference for legacy material analysis or replacement. When a former grade is needed, contact material producers directly for availability. The report is a useful historical record but should not be used as a current specification.
🛠️ Design Insight: Including a grade from J1249 in a new design may lead to sourcing difficulties. Always verify that a steel is still active in SAE J403 or J404 before finalizing. For legacy replacements, verify that the chemical composition matches the original requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I still use steel grades listed in SAE J1249?
These grades are no longer standard SAE steels. Contact producers to check if they are still available. For new designs, prefer grades from current SAE J403 or J404.
2. What are PS steels, and how do they differ from EX-steels?
PS (Potential Standard) steels replace the old EX (Experimental) designation. PS numbers are assigned in SAE J1081 to alloys under evaluation for standardization. EX numbers are no longer used.
3. How can I find the chemical composition of a former SAE steel?
Table 1 in SAE J1249-2024 provides compositions for many former carbon and alloy steels. For steels deleted before the cut-off dates, contact SAE for archived records.
4. What SAE standards should I use for active steel grades?
For carbon steels, use SAE J403. For alloy steels, use SAE J404. For potential standard steels, refer to SAE J1081.
