Steel 1010
AISI/SAE 1010 · UNS G10100 · JIS S10C
AISI/SAE 1010 is a plain low-carbon (0.08–0.13 % C) mild steel supplied as hot-rolled and cold-rolled sheet/coil, cold-drawn bar and wire.
Values for the HR condition
1010 tempers and conditions
1010 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HRDefault Hot rolled | Cheapest general-purpose condition for weldments, brackets and structural stampings where scale and loose tolerances are acceptable. | 180 | 325 | 28 | 95 HB | — |
full/subcritical anneal (soft) | Choose for maximum ductility in deep drawing, severe cold heading or before carburizing. | 180 | 320 | 32 | 90 HB | — |
900–925 °C, air cooled | Use to refine grain and homogenise properties after forging or heavy welding, giving uniform strength and good toughness. | 200 | 330 | 30 | 95 HB | — |
Cold rolled | Pick for clean bright surface, tight thickness tolerance and press-formed sheet parts, panels and enclosures. | 290 | 365 | 22 | 105 HB | — |
case hardened surface | Select when a wear-resistant hard case (0.3–1.5 mm) over a tough, ductile low-carbon core is needed — pins, bushings, light gears. | 300 | 430 | 15 | 60 HRC | 11 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Use for turned and screw-machine parts, shafts and cold-headed fasteners needing higher yield and good size tolerance. | 305 | 365 | 20 | 105 HB | — |
What is 1010?
AISI/SAE 1010 is a plain low-carbon (0.08–0.13 % C) mild steel supplied as hot-rolled and cold-rolled sheet/coil, cold-drawn bar and wire. It is chosen for its very high cold formability, excellent weldability and low cost in stampings, brackets, tubing, fasteners and case-hardened parts. Limits are low strength, no through-hardening response, gummy machining behaviour and essentially no corrosion resistance without coating. 1010 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F). 1010 has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1010 used for?
- Welded structural tubing
- Formed chassis panels
- Stamped brackets and clips
- Cold-headed fasteners
- Wire and nails
- Carburized pins and bushings
- Sheet metal enclosures
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 12 % IACS, better than 99% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 98% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 140 MPa·√m (127.4 ksi·√in), better than 94% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 180 MPa (26.1 ksi), worse than 99% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
1010 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1010-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1010 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical15
1010 has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1010 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 49.8 W/m·K (28.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.2 µm/m·K (6.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1010 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 1010 takes about 24 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
1010's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 73% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (90/100).
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. 1010 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1010
Is 1010 easy to machine?
Gummy and prone to built-up edge — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant; switch to 1018/12L14 for volume screw-machine work.
Can 1010 be welded?
Excellent by all processes (MIG/TIG/stick/spot/laser) with ER70S-x or E70xx filler; no preheat or PWHT needed at normal sheet and bar thicknesses.
Can 1010 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — deep drawing, roll forming, bending to near-zero radius and cold heading in the annealed or CR temper.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to 1010. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Good42 / 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 / 0.8 µm |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better90 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better95 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
| Minimum bend radius | 1× thickness |
| Sheet thickness range | 0.5 – 3 mm |
| Spring-back | Moderate |
| Welding processes | MIG, TIG, SPOT, SEAM, LASER, STICK |
1010 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 1010, heat analysis | 0.08 – 0.13 | 0.1 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Sinot specified for rimmed/capped steel; ≤0.10 typical in killed sheet | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1010?
Must be coated: zinc plate/galvanize, phosphate + oil, e-coat, powder or paint; takes plating and enamel readily but rusts within hours bare.
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
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 1010 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G10100
- JIS
- S10C
- Similar grades
- 10
How much does 1010 cost?
1010 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.
1010 — frequently asked
What is 1010 used for?
1010 is typically used for welded structural tubing, formed chassis panels, stamped brackets and clips, cold-headed fasteners, wire and nails and carburized pins and bushings. In short: standard soft steel; budget.
What is the yield strength of 1010?
1010 has a typical yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1010 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 73% of steel grades). Gummy and prone to built-up edge — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant; switch to 1018/12L14 for volume screw-machine work.
Can 1010 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent by all processes (MIG/TIG/stick/spot/laser) with ER70S-x or E70xx filler; no preheat or PWHT needed at normal sheet and bar thicknesses.
What surface finishes work on 1010?
Must be coated: zinc plate/galvanize, phosphate + oil, e-coat, powder or paint; takes plating and enamel readily but rusts within hours bare.
Can 1010 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — deep drawing, roll forming, bending to near-zero radius and cold heading in the annealed or CR temper.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1010?
1010 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 1010-HR and 1010-CD?
HR is the default condition — cheapest general-purpose condition for weldments, brackets and structural stampings where scale and loose tolerances are acceptable. CD: use for turned and screw-machine parts, shafts and cold-headed fasteners needing higher yield and good size tolerance. Yield strength is 180 MPa in HR versus 305 MPa in CD.
How much does 1010 cost?
1010 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 1010?
Yes — 1010 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
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A1008/A1008M — Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet — ASTM (2021)
- ASTM A1011/A1011M — Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet — ASTM (2018)
- ASTM A108 — Cold-Finished Carbon Steel Bars — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Typical mechanical property tables for carbon steel bars — ASM/MatWeb (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.