Steel 1010 · heat-treated state
Steel 1010 Carburized
Properties of the Carburized condition, compared with the other 1010 tempers.
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.
What is 1010 Carburized?
1010 Carburized is 1010 heat treated to Carburized — 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. 1010 Carburized has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — weaker than 86% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1010 Carburized has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Carburized is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 12 % IACS, better than 100% 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
- Conducts heat well — 49.8 W/m·K (28.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 85% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 94% of steel grades
- Low strength — 300 MPa (43.5 ksi), worse than 86% of steel grades
1010 Carburized properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1010 Carburized — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1010 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1010 Carburized has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical15
1010 Carburized has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — weaker than 86% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1010 Carburized 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 Carburized conducts electricity at 12 % IACS, better than 100% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1010 Carburized 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 Carburized's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 72% of steel grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1010 tempers and conditions
1010 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1010 overview.
- HRDefaultCheapest general-purpose condition for weldments, brackets and structural stampings where scale and loose tolerances are acceptable.180 MPa yield · 95 HB
- CDUse for turned and screw-machine parts, shafts and cold-headed fasteners needing higher yield and good size tolerance.305 MPa yield · 105 HB
- CarburizedSelect 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 MPa yield · 60 HRC
- CRPick for clean bright surface, tight thickness tolerance and press-formed sheet parts, panels and enclosures.290 MPa yield · 105 HB
- NormalizedUse to refine grain and homogenise properties after forging or heavy welding, giving uniform strength and good toughness.200 MPa yield · 95 HB
- AnnealedChoose for maximum ductility in deep drawing, severe cold heading or before carburizing.180 MPa yield · 90 HB
Working with 1010 Carburized
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.
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.
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 | — |
1010 Carburized — frequently asked
What is 1010 Carburized used for?
1010 Carburized 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 Carburized?
1010 Carburized has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — weaker than 86% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1010 Carburized easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 72% 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 Carburized be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). 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 Carburized?
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 Carburized 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 Carburized?
1010 Carburized 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1010 Carburized?
Yes — 1010 Carburized 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.