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Steel 1018 (cold drawn)
1018 is a low-carbon steel with 0.15–0.20% carbon, usually sold as cold drawn bar. Typical tensile strength is 64 ksi (440 MPa) with 54 ksi (370 MPa) yield. It machines reasonably, welds without preheat, and carburizes to a hard case for wear. It is the default for pins, shafts, spacers and fixtures that do not need alloy steel strength.
- UNS
- G10180
- ASTM
- A108 (cold-finished bar)
- SAE J403
- 1018
How does it compare?
Typical room-temperature values for 1018, against all 48 materials in the library.
- Tensile strength
- 440 MPa69th pct
- Yield strength
- 370 MPa70th pct
- Density
- 7.87 g/cm³79th pct
- Elongation
- 15 %41th pct
- Relative cost
- $$$$$
Bars are relative to the strongest, densest or hottest material in the SSG library. Percentile vs all 48 materials.
- Density
- 7.87 g/cm³ · 0.2843 lb/in³
- Tensile strength
- 440 MPa · 63.8 ksi
- Yield strength
- 370 MPa · 53.7 ksi
- Elongation
- 15%
- Elastic modulus
- 205 GPa · 29.7 Msi
- Hardness
- 126 HB
- Melting point
- 1490 °C · 2714 °F
- Thermal conductivity
- 51.9 W/m·K
- Machinability
- 70% of 1212 steel
When should you use 1018?
Strengths
- Low cost and stocked in every round, square, flat and hex size
- Welds without preheat in most thicknesses
- Carburizes to a 58–62 HRC case for wear surfaces
- Good size accuracy and surface as cold drawn
Watch for
- Cannot be meaningfully through-hardened
- Machines slower than 12L14 or 1215, with stringier chips
- Rusts bare; plate, black oxide or paint
- Cold drawing leaves residual stress that can bow long parts after heavy machining
Typical parts
- Pins, dowels and bushings
- Spacers and standoffs
- Fixture and tooling components
- Carburized shafts and cam followers
- Welded brackets and bases
- Linkage arms and clevises
How 1018 is made into parts
Cost, finishes and design rules for each process in this material.
CNC machining in 1018CNC milling, turning, and production sawing from bar, plate, castings, and forgings, from prototype to production.
Screw machining in 1018Turned pins, fittings, shafts, and bushings made from bar stock on multi-spindle and Swiss screw machines at volume.
Offshore sourcing in 1018Parts made by vetted overseas manufacturers, with landed-cost analysis, quality control, and logistics managed.
What does a part in 1018 cost?
A representative part, cnc machining. Raw material at about $2.20/kg is one line of it; process time and tooling usually matter more.
Plate · CNC machining
Order total $2,808
- Tooling
- None
- no hard tooling
- Piece price
- $45.40
- before setup + tooling
- Lead time
- 5–10 days
- to first production
Size
Drag a row to adjust · click to type
Length120120 mm
Width80.080.0 mm
Thickness6.006.00 mm
Quantity
Price per part falls as volume rises
Exact quantity5050 pcs
Material
Design checks pass
Open in builderBudgetary estimate for a representative part. Firm quotes come from principals after drawing review.
1018 questions
Can 1018 steel be hardened?
Only at the surface. With 0.15–0.20% carbon it will not through-harden usefully. Carburize for a 58–62 HRC case 0.010–0.060 in (0.25–1.5 mm) deep over a tough core. For through-hardened parts, use 1045 or 4140.
1018 vs 1045 steel?
1045 has more carbon, about 40% higher strength as cold drawn (91 vs 64 ksi, 625 vs 440 MPa), and responds to induction and through hardening. 1018 is cheaper, welds more easily and carburizes. Choose 1045 for shafts that need strength or a hardened surface without carburizing.
1018 vs A36 steel?
1018 is chemistry-controlled bar, usually cold drawn, with tighter size tolerance and better surface for machining. A36 is a structural plate and shape spec defined by minimum strength, with looser chemistry. Use A36 for weldments and plate parts, 1018 for machined parts.
Is 1018 steel good for welding?
Yes. Its low carbon means no preheat in most sections and low cracking risk with E70 filler metals.
Similar materials
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