The mechanical properties of Steel 20 are determined from a uniaxial tension test in which a cylindrical bar of measured diameter is subjected to tension along its length while the magnitude of the force applied and the resulting elongation are measured. The force, divided by the original cross-sectional area of the bar, is referred to as the stress. The elongation of a specific portion of the bar, divided by the original length of that portion, is called the strain. The strain is clearly dimensionless, but the stress has the units of force per unit area. Since the forces involved are large (in the American system, forces are expressed in kips, where 1 kip is 1000 lb), stresses are expressed in kips/in.2 (ksi).
A critical characteristic of Steel 20 is an abundance of ultra hard metallic carbides in the steel matrix, precipitating out in bands. This causes Steel 20 to display a characteristic banding on its surface. Steel 20 is renowned for its sharpness and durability.
Steel 20 is effortlessly worked in the austenite condition and produced in large quantities for beams and other structural uses. The fairly low tonicity and high durability of Steel 20 enables it to be used in a ferrite condition.