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Steel 1006 vs 1022

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1006 and 1022 are both steel grades, both low carbon steel. 1022 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) against 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) for 1006, about 38% more; tensile strength follows at 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi). In exchange, 1006 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 23% for 1022, and 1022 is harder (121 HB vs 86 HB). 1006 conducts heat better (65 W/m·K vs 51.9 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 1022 machines more easily (good vs fair).

1006Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

1022Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

1006 vs 1022: properties

10061022

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
425 MPa61.6 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

170 MPa24.7 ksi
235 MPa34.1 ksi

Elongation at Break

30%
23%

Reduction in Area

55%
47%

Shear Strength

200 MPa29 ksi
255 MPa37 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

150 MPa21.8 ksi
195 MPa28.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
100 MPa·√m91 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

120 J88.5 ft·lbf
55 J40.6 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

86 HB
121 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

41 HRB
67 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

90 HV
127 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 205 GPa29.7 Msi · 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
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,535°C2,795 °F
1,510°C2,750 °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
51.9 W/m·K30 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

481 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
486 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F

Min Service Temperature

-30°C-22 °F
-20°C-4 °F

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

12 % IACS
10.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.43×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.63 µΩ·in
1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 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
58 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

50%
65%

Weldability

97 / 100
90 / 100

Formability (cold)

95 / 100
75 / 100

Castability

35 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 45 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

2.1 kg CO₂/kg
2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

55 L/kg6.6 gal/lb
50 L/kg6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

28%
30%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

38 kN·m/kg
54 kN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

70 kJ/m³
135 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

17.2 mm²/s
13.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

8
9

Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 26 MN·m/kg

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 scale10061022

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability10061022
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 1022 — frequently asked

Is 1022 stronger than 1006?

Yes. 1022 has a typical yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) against 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) for 1006 — about 38% more. Tensile strength is 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1006 or 1022?

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.

Which is easier to machine, 1006 or 1022?

1022. Its machinability rates good (58/100) against fair (45/100) for 1006; for welding the order is 1006 first (excellent, 97/100) then 1022 (excellent, 90/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1006 and 1022 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.