Steel 1006
AISI/SAE 1006 · UNS G10060
1006 is a plain-carbon, ultra-low-carbon (≤0.08 % C) steel supplied mainly as wire rod, hot/cold-rolled sheet and cold-drawn bar.
Values for the HR condition
1006 tempers and conditions
1006 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
full/subcritical anneal (softest condition) | Choose for maximum ductility before severe cold heading, deep drawing or thread rolling. | 165 | 295 | 37 | 85 HB | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Default, cheapest form: wire rod, merchant bar and hot-rolled coil for forming, welding and re-drawing. | 170 | 300 | 30 | 86 HB | — |
900–925 °C, air cooled | Use to refine grain and homogenize after hot working or welding; slightly higher strength than annealed with uniform properties. | 180 | 310 | 33 | 90 HB | — |
Cold rolled | Pick for stampings and deep-drawn parts needing a clean, flat surface and high n-value (ASTM A1008 CS/DS). | 210 | 315 | 38 | 88 HB | 12 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Use when tighter tolerance, straightness and ~60 % higher yield are needed; ductility and formability drop. | 285 | 330 | 20 | 95 HB | — |
What is 1006?
1006 is a plain-carbon, ultra-low-carbon (≤0.08 % C) steel supplied mainly as wire rod, hot/cold-rolled sheet and cold-drawn bar. It is chosen when maximum cold formability, deep drawability and weldability matter more than strength — typical uses are stampings, wire, nails, chain, welded tube and cold-headed fasteners. Limits are low strength and hardness, no meaningful response to through-hardening (only carburizing or cold work raise hardness), poor machined-surface finish (gummy) and essentially no corrosion resistance without coating. 1006 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,515°C (2,759 °F). 1006 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is 1006 used for?
- Refrigerator panels
- Washing machine bodies
- Deep-drawn stampings
- Cold-headed fasteners
- Drawn wire, nails and chain
- Welded tube and pipe
- Carburized low-load pins and bushings
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 65 W/m·K (37.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 97/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 12 % IACS, better than 99% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 93% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 170 MPa (24.7 ksi), worse than 99% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1006 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1006-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1006 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,515°C (2,759 °F).
Mechanical15
1006 has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1006 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 65 W/m·K (37.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1006 conducts electricity at 12 % IACS, better than 99% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1006 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 28%.
Manufacturability8
1006's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability excellent (97/100); formability excellent (95/100).
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. 1006 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1006
Is 1006 easy to machine?
Gummy and prone to built-up edge — use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed, generous coolant, or cold-drawn/normalized stock for better finish; consider 1215/12L14 if machining dominates.
Can 1006 be welded?
Excellent by all processes (RSW, MIG, TIG, SMAW, laser) with no preheat or PWHT; ER70S-6/E7018 filler over-matches the base metal.
Can 1006 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — deep drawing, roll forming, cold heading and thread rolling; watch for stretcher strains in non-IF grades (temper roll or use a killed, aged-resistant grade).
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to 1006. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better95 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent97 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
| Minimum bend radius | 1× thickness |
| Spring-back | Moderate |
| Welding processes | MIG, TIG, SPOT, SEAM, LASER, STICK |
1006 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CSAE/AISI 1006, heat analysis | ≤ 0.08 | 0.06 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.35 | 0.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S0.050 max in some bar specs | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Sinot specified for rimmed/Al-killed sheet; typical residual | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1006?
No corrosion resistance bare: zinc electroplate/galvanize, phosphate + e-coat or paint; also carburizes readily to a hard case (58–62 HRC) with a soft, tough core.
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
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 1006 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G10060
How much does 1006 cost?
1006 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.
1006 — frequently asked
What is 1006 used for?
1006 is typically used for refrigerator panels, washing machine bodies, deep-drawn stampings, cold-headed fasteners, drawn wire, nails and chain and welded tube and pipe. In short: economical; basic shaping.
What is the yield strength of 1006?
1006 has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 1006 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Gummy and prone to built-up edge — use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed, generous coolant, or cold-drawn/normalized stock for better finish; consider 1215/12L14 if machining dominates.
Can 1006 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (97/100). Excellent by all processes (RSW, MIG, TIG, SMAW, laser) with no preheat or PWHT; ER70S-6/E7018 filler over-matches the base metal.
What surface finishes work on 1006?
No corrosion resistance bare: zinc electroplate/galvanize, phosphate + e-coat or paint; also carburizes readily to a hard case (58–62 HRC) with a soft, tough core.
Can 1006 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — deep drawing, roll forming, cold heading and thread rolling; watch for stretcher strains in non-IF grades (temper roll or use a killed, aged-resistant grade).
What is the maximum service temperature of 1006?
1006 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 1006-HR and 1006-CD?
HR is the default condition — default, cheapest form: wire rod, merchant bar and hot-rolled coil for forming, welding and re-drawing. CD: use when tighter tolerance, straightness and ~60 % higher yield are needed; ductility and formability drop. Yield strength is 170 MPa in HR versus 285 MPa in CD.
How much does 1006 cost?
1006 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 1006?
Yes — 1006 is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A1008/A1008M — Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet — ASTM (2021)
- ASTM A510 — Carbon Steel Wire Rods and Coarse Round Wire — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- UNS G10060 alloy data compilations — SAE/ASTM UNS (2020)
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.