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Steel 1006 vs 1010

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1006 and 1010 are both steel grades, both low carbon steel. 1010 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) against 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) for 1006, about 6% more; tensile strength follows at 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi). 1010 is harder — 95 HB against 86 HB for 1006 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. 1006 conducts heat better (65 W/m·K vs 49.8 W/m·K).

1010Choose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

1006 vs 1010: properties

10061010

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
200 GPa29 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
325 MPa47.1 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

170 MPa24.7 ksi
180 MPa26.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

30%
28%

Reduction in Area

55%
50%

Shear Strength

200 MPa29 ksi
220 MPa31.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
160 MPa23.2 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
140 MPa·√m127 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

120 J88.5 ft·lbf
95 J70.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

86 HB
95 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

41 HRB
55 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

90 HV
100 HV

Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,515°C2,759 °F
1,495°C2,723 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,535°C2,795 °F
1,525°C2,777 °F

Same in both: Density 7.87 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

65 W/m·K37.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
49.8 W/m·K28.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

481 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
448 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 247 J/g106 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 12 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.43×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.63 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.65 V
-0.61 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 10 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

45 / 100
42 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
55%

Weldability

97 / 100
95 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
90 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
—

Polishability

45 / 100
40 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 80 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
24 MJ/kg10,318 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.1 kg CO₂/kg
1.9 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
35 L/kg4.2 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

28%
30%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

38 kN·m/kg
41 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26 MN·m/kg
25.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

70 kJ/m³
81 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

17.2 mm²/s
14.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
7

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale10061010

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability10061010
CNC machining—Yes
Default conditionHRHR
Relative cost$ Budget$ Budget
Min. machined wall—0.8 mm
Best machined surface—Ra 1.6 µm
AlCrN—Yes
AlTiN—Yes
CVD Al2O3—Yes
CVD TiCN—Yes
CVD TiN—Yes
CrN—Yes
DLC—Yes
HVOF Coating—Yes
MoS2—Yes
Multilayer CVD—Yes
TiAlN—Yes
TiB2—Yes
TiCN—Yes
TiN—Yes
WC/C—Yes
ZrN—Yes

Both are offered for Sheet metal. They share 22 finishes: Black Oxide, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, E-Coating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Hot-Dip Galvanizing, Manganese Phosphate, Nickel Plating and 10 more.

1006 vs 1010 — frequently asked

Is 1010 stronger than 1006?

Yes. 1010 has a typical yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) against 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) for 1006 — about 6% more. Tensile strength is 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1006 or 1010?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($, budget); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

When should I choose 1006 over 1010?

Pick 1010 when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1006 and 1010 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.