Steel 1018 vs 12L14
Steel · grade comparison
Steel 1018 and 12L14 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 220 MPa — strength does not separate them. 1018 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 22% for 12L14. 1018 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, 12L14 machines more easily (excellent vs good) and 1018 welds better (excellent vs poor).
1018Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
12L14Choose it when the part is machined in volume.
Buyer's decision notes
Choose 12L14 for high-volume turned parts when free-cutting chip behavior and cycle time dominate and leaded steel is permitted. Choose 1018 when the part needs welding, meaningful bending or forming, cleaner plating preparation, or a supply chain that excludes intentional lead additions.
Compare the same condition
Both grades are often bought as cold-finished bar, but the route does not guarantee that form or condition. Compare the same bar shape, size, finish and tolerance under the applicable purchase specification before attributing every difference to chemistry.
- Production machining
- 12L14 is a leaded, resulfurized free-machining grade aimed at repetitive bar work. Evaluate the real cycle—chip control, tool life, cutoff, deburring and cleaning—rather than assuming the grade pays back on a low-volume milled part.
- Welding and forming
- Atlas states that its 12L14FM is not suitable for welding and identifies lead-fume hazards; it also describes low ductility for significant bending or forming. Keep welded or heavily formed designs on a qualified alternative such as 1018 unless an authority approves another route.
- Finish quality
- Free-machining inclusions can change surface response. If electroplating, black oxide or a cosmetic machined finish is critical, qualify the complete process on production material and call out appearance, adhesion and significant surfaces.
- Lead and compliance
- A mill or distributor statement about raw-material composition or a regulatory exemption does not certify the finished part in every market or application. The buyer must state whether leaded steel is allowed and obtain the finished-article compliance evidence it needs.
Put this on the RFQ
- State grade, ASTM A108 or other applicable bar specification, shape, size, finish, straightness, tolerance and material report.
- Declare whether intentional lead is permitted for the destination product and region; request the exact compliance documentation required for the finished article.
- List welds, bends, plating, food or fluid contact, chip-recovery controls and any restricted-substance flow-down before quoting 12L14.
Primary references
- Atlas Steels — 12L14FM — Producer and distributor datasheet covering 12L14FM delivery, free-machining use, low ductility and welding limitation.
- ASTM — A108 — Active specification for cold-finished carbon and alloy steel bars, including purchaser-selected supplementary requirements.
FabDigit resources: 1018 datasheet, 12L14 datasheet, CNC design guide and sheet-metal design guide.
1018 vs 12L14: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Hardness, Rockwell B 67 HRB
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 7.87 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,425°C2,597 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 51.9 W/m·K30 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 486 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 247 J/g106 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 10.8 % IACS
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.61 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
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)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 13.6 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 9
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | 1018 | 12L14 |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | HR | HR |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
Both are offered for CNC machining. Both take the same 38 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, CrN, DLC, E-Coating and 26 more.
1018 vs 12L14 — frequently asked
What is the difference between 1018 and 12L14?
Steel 1018 and 12L14 are both steel grades. Both yield at about 220 MPa — strength does not separate them. 1018 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 22% for 12L14.
Which is cheaper, 1018 or 12L14?
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, 1018 or 12L14?
12L14. Its machinability rates excellent (90/100) against good (58/100) for 1018; for welding the order is 1018 first (excellent, 95/100) then 12L14 (poor, 15/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1018 and 12L14 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.