Steel 1016-HR (Hot rolled)
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 1016 · UNS G10160
Cheapest form for weldments and structural parts where mill scale, looser tolerance and lower strength are acceptable.
Values for the HR 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 | — |
HRThis page 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-HR?
1016-HR is 1016 supplied in the HR condition — cheapest form for weldments and structural parts where mill scale, looser tolerance and lower strength are acceptable. 1016-HR has a yield strength of 262 MPa (38 ksi) and a tensile strength of 421 MPa (61.1 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1016-HR 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; HR 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
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 96% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 262 MPa (38 ksi), worse than 92% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1016-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1016-HR; 15 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-HR 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-HR has a yield strength of 262 MPa (38 ksi) and a tensile strength of 421 MPa (61.1 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1016-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 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1016-HR 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-HR 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-HR's machinability is good (56/100, better than 71% of steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1016-HR
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-HR — frequently asked
What is 1016-HR used for?
1016-HR 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-HR?
1016-HR has a typical yield strength of 262 MPa (38 ksi) and a tensile strength of 421 MPa (61.1 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1016-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (56/100, better than 71% 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-HR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). 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-HR?
No corrosion resistance bare — zinc/nickel plate, phosphate + oil, black oxide or paint; polishes only to a modest luster.
Can 1016-HR 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-HR?
1016-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 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.