Steel 10# · heat-treated state
Steel 10# CARB
Properties of the CARB condition, compared with the other 10# tempers.
Use where a hard wear-resistant case (0.3–1.2 mm) over a tough soft core is needed: small gears, pins, cams, bushings.
What is 10# CARB?
10# CARB is 10# heat treated to CARB — use where a hard wear-resistant case (0.3–1.2 mm) over a tough soft core is needed: small gears, pins, cams, bushings. 10# CARB has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 80% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 10# CARB 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CARB is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- 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
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades
- Low strength — 320 MPa (46.4 ksi), worse than 80% of steel grades
10# CARB properties
Typical room-temperature values for 10# CARB — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 10# temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
10# CARB 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# CARB has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 80% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
10# CARB is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °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# CARB conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 10# CARB 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# CARB's machinability is poor (15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 10# tempers and conditions
10# is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 10# overview.
- HRDefaultDefault stock condition for bar, plate, structural and welded parts where dimensional precision is not critical.230 MPa yield · 120 HB
- CDChoose for precise diameter, bright surface and higher strength in shafts, pins and screw-machine work.370 MPa yield · 145 HB
- CARBUse where a hard wear-resistant case (0.3–1.2 mm) over a tough soft core is needed: small gears, pins, cams, bushings.320 MPa yield · 60 HRC
- WQTRarely specified; only for thin sections where a modest strength lift over normalized is wanted — hardenability is very low at 0.10 % C.300 MPa yield · 140 HB
- NPick for uniform fine grain and reproducible mechanicals in forgings, tube and machined parts; the GB/T 699 property-test condition.230 MPa yield · 125 HB
- CRDeep-drawing sheet condition for stamped housings, tube and cold-headed blanks with a bright, dimensionally tight surface.210 MPa yield · 110 HB
- ASoftest condition, chosen before severe cold forming, deep drawing or cold heading.190 MPa yield · 105 HB
Working with 10# CARB
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.
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.
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 | — |
10# CARB — frequently asked
What is 10# CARB used for?
10# CARB is typically used for enclosures, brackets and fasteners. In short: soft low-carbon plate.
What is the yield strength of 10# CARB?
10# CARB has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 80% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 10# CARB easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, worse than 98% 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# CARB be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). 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# CARB?
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# CARB 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# CARB?
10# CARB is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 10# CARB?
Yes — 10# CARB is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.