Steel 1012 · supply condition · default condition
Steel 1012-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other 1012 tempers.
Cheapest general form for welded structures, stampings and tube stock where surface finish and tight tolerance are not critical.
What is 1012-HR?
1012-HR is 1012 supplied in the HR condition — cheapest general form for welded structures, stampings and tube stock where surface finish and tight tolerance are not critical. 1012-HR has a yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1012-HR 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).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 96% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 185 MPa (26.8 ksi), worse than 99% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1012-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1012-HR — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1012 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1012-HR 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).
Mechanical14
1012-HR has a yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1012-HR is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1012-HR 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 1012-HR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
1012-HR's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1012 tempers and conditions
1012 is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1012 overview.
- HRDefaultCheapest general form for welded structures, stampings and tube stock where surface finish and tight tolerance are not critical.185 MPa yield · 95 HB
- CDPick for shafts, pins and cold-headed parts needing higher yield strength, straightness and a smooth ground-ready surface.340 MPa yield · 115 HB
- CRChoose for stamped and drawn sheet parts needing a clean bright surface, tight thickness tolerance and good paint adhesion.250 MPa yield · 100 HB
- NormalizedUse to refine and homogenize grain structure after hot working, forging or heavy welding for uniform properties and toughness.195 MPa yield · 100 HB
- AnnealedUse when maximum ductility for deep drawing, severe bending or cold heading is needed, or to soften cold-worked stock.180 MPa yield · 90 HB
Working with 1012-HR
Is 1012 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — long stringy chips and built-up edge; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant, or specify a resulfurized grade (1117/12L14) for heavy turning.
Can 1012 be welded?
Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes with no preheat or PWHT needed at typical sheet thicknesses; use ER70S-6/E7018 class filler.
Can 1012 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — deep drawing, roll forming, cold heading and tight bend radii; normalize or anneal between severe forming steps.
What surface finishes work on 1012?
No inherent corrosion resistance: zinc plate/galvanize, phosphate-and-oil, e-coat or paint; carburize and quench for a hard wear surface (58–62 HRC case).
1012 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 | 0.1 – 0.15 | 0.12 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Pmax per SAE J403 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Smax per SAE J403 | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Sinot specified for non-resulfurized grades; residual in semi-killed/killed steel | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
1012-HR — frequently asked
What is 1012-HR used for?
1012-HR is typically used for cold-formed fasteners, welded tube, stamped brackets, chassis and body panels, chain links and deep-drawn housings. In short: ductile; deep cold-forming.
What is the yield strength of 1012-HR?
1012-HR has a typical yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 1012-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades). Soft and gummy — long stringy chips and built-up edge; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant, or specify a resulfurized grade (1117/12L14) for heavy turning.
Can 1012-HR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes with no preheat or PWHT needed at typical sheet thicknesses; use ER70S-6/E7018 class filler.
What surface finishes work on 1012-HR?
No inherent corrosion resistance: zinc plate/galvanize, phosphate-and-oil, e-coat or paint; carburize and quench for a hard wear surface (58–62 HRC case).
Can 1012-HR be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — deep drawing, roll forming, cold heading and tight bend radii; normalize or anneal between severe forming steps.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1012-HR?
1012-HR 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 1012-HR and 1012-CD?
HR is the default condition — cheapest general form for welded structures, stampings and tube stock where surface finish and tight tolerance are not critical. CD: pick for shafts, pins and cold-headed parts needing higher yield strength, straightness and a smooth ground-ready surface. Yield strength is 185 MPa in HR versus 340 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1012-HR?
Yes — 1012-HR 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 A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A1008/A1011 — Cold-Rolled and Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet — ASTM (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining (machinability ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- GB/T 699 — (10/15 comparable) — SAC (2015)
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.