Steel 1016 CARB-Q
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 1016 · UNS G10160
CARB-Q = 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.
Values for the CARB-Q condition
Other 1016 tempers and conditions
1016 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 1016.
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 | — |
CARB-QThis page 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 CARB-Q?
1016 CARB-Q is 1016 heat treated to CARB-Q — 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. 1016 CARB-Q has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 59% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1016 CARB-Q 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). CD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CARB-Q is available on request or by drawing note.
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
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 86% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1016 CARB-Q properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1016 CARB-Q; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1016 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1016 CARB-Q 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 CARB-Q has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 59% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1016 CARB-Q is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °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 CARB-Q 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 CARB-Q 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 CARB-Q's machinability is poor (15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability very good (70/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1016 CARB-Q
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.
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.
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 | — |
1016 CARB-Q — frequently asked
What is 1016 CARB-Q used for?
1016 CARB-Q 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 CARB-Q?
1016 CARB-Q has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 690 MPa (100 ksi) — stronger than 59% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1016 CARB-Q easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, worse than 98% 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 CARB-Q be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). 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 CARB-Q?
No corrosion resistance bare — zinc/nickel plate, phosphate + oil, black oxide or paint; polishes only to a modest luster.
Can 1016 CARB-Q 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 CARB-Q?
1016 CARB-Q is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.