Steel 10#
GB 10#
10# is a Chinese GB/T 699 quality low-carbon structural steel with about 0.10 % C, essentially equivalent to AISI 1010/DIN C10.
Values for the HR condition
10# tempers and conditions
10# is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Softest condition, chosen before severe cold forming, deep drawing or cold heading. | 190 | 330 | 37 | 105 HB | — |
Cold rolled | Deep-drawing sheet condition for stamped housings, tube and cold-headed blanks with a bright, dimensionally tight surface. | 210 | 340 | 32 | 110 HB | 11 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Default stock condition for bar, plate, structural and welded parts where dimensional precision is not critical. | 230 | 380 | 33 | 120 HB | — |
Normalized | Pick for uniform fine grain and reproducible mechanicals in forgings, tube and machined parts; the GB/T 699 property-test condition. | 230 | 370 | 34 | 125 HB | — |
Water quenched and tempered | Rarely specified; only for thin sections where a modest strength lift over normalized is wanted — hardenability is very low at 0.10 % C. | 300 | 450 | 24 | 140 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
Carburized, quenched and low-temperature tempered | Use where a hard wear-resistant case (0.3–1.2 mm) over a tough soft core is needed: small gears, pins, cams, bushings. | 320 | 500 | 15 | 60 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Choose for precise diameter, bright surface and higher strength in shafts, pins and screw-machine work. | 370 | 470 | 10 | 145 HB | — |
What is 10#?
10# is a Chinese GB/T 699 quality low-carbon structural steel with about 0.10 % C, essentially equivalent to AISI 1010/DIN C10. It is chosen for deep-drawn sheet parts, cold-headed fasteners, welded tube, boiler/heat-exchanger tubing and carburized wear parts because of its excellent cold formability and weldability. Its limits are low strength and hardness in the as-supplied state, poor hardenability through-section, gummy machining behaviour when annealed, and no inherent corrosion resistance. 10# has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F). 10# has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 33% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is 10# used for?
- Enclosures
- Brackets
- Fasteners
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 88/100, better than 98% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 33%, better than 96% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 230 MPa (33.4 ksi), worse than 97% of steel grades
10# properties
Typical room-temperature values for 10#-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
10# has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical15
10# has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 33% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
10# is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
10# conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 10# takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
10#'s machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (88/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 10# is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 10#
Is 10# easy to machine?
Gummy and prone to built-up edge when annealed — use sharp positive-rake tools, high surface speed and generous coolant; cold-drawn or normalized stock cuts and threads far more cleanly.
Can 10# be welded?
Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes with no preheat or PWHT for normal thicknesses; use ER70S-6/E7018-class consumables.
Can 10# be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — deep drawing, cold heading, bending and roll forming are routine; hot forge at 1150–850 °C then normalize.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 10#. Every 10# part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better45 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 220 / 260 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent88 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent95 / 100 |
10# chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.07 – 0.13 | 0.1 |
| Si | 0.17 – 0.37 | 0.27 |
| Mn | 0.35 – 0.65 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Crresidual, max | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Niresidual, max | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Curesidual, max | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 10#?
No corrosion resistance bare: specify zinc electroplate, hot-dip galvanizing, phosphate+oil, blackening or paint; carburize-and-harden for wear surfaces; not anodizable.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
How much does 10# cost?
10# is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 100% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
10# — frequently asked
What is 10# used for?
10# is typically used for enclosures, brackets and fasteners. In short: soft low-carbon plate.
What is the yield strength of 10#?
10# has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 10# easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Gummy and prone to built-up edge when annealed — use sharp positive-rake tools, high surface speed and generous coolant; cold-drawn or normalized stock cuts and threads far more cleanly.
Can 10# be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes with no preheat or PWHT for normal thicknesses; use ER70S-6/E7018-class consumables.
What surface finishes work on 10#?
No corrosion resistance bare: specify zinc electroplate, hot-dip galvanizing, phosphate+oil, blackening or paint; carburize-and-harden for wear surfaces; not anodizable.
Can 10# be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — deep drawing, cold heading, bending and roll forming are routine; hot forge at 1150–850 °C then normalize.
What is the maximum service temperature of 10#?
10# is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 10#-HR and 10#-CD?
HR is the default condition — default stock condition for bar, plate, structural and welded parts where dimensional precision is not critical. CD: choose for precise diameter, bright surface and higher strength in shafts, pins and screw-machine work. Yield strength is 230 MPa in HR versus 370 MPa in CD.
How much does 10# cost?
10# is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 100% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 10#?
Yes — 10# is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- SAE J403 / AISI 1010 comparative data — SAE International (2014)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.