Steel 1016
AISI/SAE 1016 · UNS G10160
1016 (UNS G10160) is a low-carbon steel with roughly 0.13–0.18 % C and higher manganese than 1010-class grades, which raises strength while keeping carbon low enough for carburizing.
Reference datasheet — 1016 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the CD condition
1016 tempers and conditions
1016 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. CD 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Choose for maximum cold formability (deep drawing, severe cold heading) or to soften cold-drawn stock before further working. | 245 | 386 | 32 | 111 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest form for weldments and structural parts where mill scale, looser tolerance and lower strength are acceptable. | 262 | 421 | 25 | 121 HB | — |
Normalized | Use to refine grain and homogenize forgings/weldments, giving the best combination of toughness and uniform strength before carburizing. | 285 | 424 | 33 | 121 HB | — |
Cold Drawn, stress relieved | Cold drawn bar given a 500–600 °C stress relief for better straightness stability during unbalanced machining. | 395 | 470 | 20 | 137 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
CDDefault Cold drawn | Default stock condition for round/hex/square bar: better size tolerance, straightness, surface and ~25% higher strength than hot rolled. | 427 | 483 | 18 | 143 HB | — |
Carburized, quenched and low-temperature tempered | Pick when a hard wear-resistant case (0.3–1.5 mm, 58–62 HRC) over a tough low-carbon core is required — pins, bushings, small gears. | 480 | 690 | 15 | 60 HRC | — |
What is 1016?
1016 (UNS G10160) is a low-carbon steel with roughly 0.13–0.18 % C and higher manganese than 1010-class grades, which raises strength while keeping carbon low enough for carburizing. Cold-drawn bar runs 427 MPa yield, 483 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and 143 HB, and it is supplied as bar, wire and forging stock for machined parts, case-hardened components and cold-headed fasteners. Weldability is high (score 90, CE ≈ 0.30) and cold formability good (score 70), but the steel rusts bare and is limited to about 400 °C. Use 1117 or 12L14 where free-machining behaviour matters. 1016 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). 1016 has a yield strength of 427 MPa (61.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) — weaker than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is 1016 used for?
- machine parts
- carburized components
- cold-headed fasteners
- forgings
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), 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
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1016 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1016-CD; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1016 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
1016 has a yield strength of 427 MPa (61.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) — weaker than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1016 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 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1016 conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1016 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
1016's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability very good (70/100).
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. 1016 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1016
Is 1016 easy to machine?
Machines easily but gummy — soft ferrite tears and builds up edge; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and good coolant, prefer cold drawn over annealed for finish.
Can 1016 be welded?
Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes with CE ≈ 0.30 and no preheat required below ~25 mm; carburized parts should not be welded.
Can 1016 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — bending, cold heading, riveting, deep drawing; hot forge at 1100–1250 °C and normalize after heavy forging.
1016 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 J403 heat analysis | 0.13 – 0.18 | 0.16 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Sinot specified for rimmed/capped grades; typical for killed steel | ≤ 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1016?
No corrosion resistance bare — zinc/nickel plate, phosphate + oil, black oxide or paint; polishes only to a modest luster.
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 1016 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G10160
- Similar grades
- S17C15
How much does 1016 cost?
1016 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
1016 — frequently asked
What is 1016 used for?
1016 is typically used for machine parts, carburized components, cold-headed fasteners and forgings. In short: higher-manganese carburizing grade; weldable without preheat; stronger than 1010, still formable.
What is the yield strength of 1016?
1016 has a typical yield strength of 427 MPa (61.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 483 MPa (70.1 ksi) — weaker than 52% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1016 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machines easily but gummy — soft ferrite tears and builds up edge; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and good coolant, prefer cold drawn over annealed for finish.
Can 1016 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes with CE ≈ 0.30 and no preheat required below ~25 mm; carburized parts should not be welded.
What surface finishes work on 1016?
No corrosion resistance bare — zinc/nickel plate, phosphate + oil, black oxide or paint; polishes only to a modest luster.
Can 1016 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — bending, cold heading, riveting, deep drawing; hot forge at 1100–1250 °C and normalize after heavy forging.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1016?
1016 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 1016-CD and 1016-A?
CD is the default condition — default stock condition for round/hex/square bar: better size tolerance, straightness, surface and ~25% higher strength than hot rolled. A: choose for maximum cold formability (deep drawing, severe cold heading) or to soften cold-drawn stock before further working. Yield strength is 427 MPa in CD versus 245 MPa in A.
How much does 1016 cost?
1016 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
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 A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (carburizing of low-carbon steels) — ASM International (1991)
- GB/T 699 — (15/20 grades) — SAC (2015)
- Mysteel / SMM (2025)
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.