Steel 1017
AISI/SAE 1017 · UNS G10170
1017 (UNS G10170) is a general-purpose low-carbon engineering steel at about 0.15–0.20 % C, used across the plain-carbon bar and wire range.
Reference datasheet — 1017 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
1017 tempers and conditions
1017 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 | Softest condition, chosen before severe cold forming, deep drawing or cold heading. | 220 | 365 | 34 | 105 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Lowest-cost general condition for welded frames, brackets and parts that will be machined all over or subsequently heat treated. | 235 | 380 | 26 | 111 HB | — |
Normalized | Refines grain and homogenises structure after forging or heavy welding; best balance of toughness and machinability before carburizing. | 285 | 425 | 32 | 121 HB | — |
Cold Drawn, stress relieved | Use when cold-drawn bar must be machined asymmetrically or deep-drilled without bowing from residual stress. | 330 | 415 | 20 | 121 HB | — |
CDDefault Cold drawn | Standard stock condition for shafts, pins and screw-machine parts needing close tolerance, bright finish and higher strength. | 370 | 435 | 15 | 126 HB | — |
Carburized & Quenched | Pick when a wear-resistant hard skin (58–62 HRC) over a tough, unhardened core is needed — gears, pins, cams, bushings. | 400 | 590 | 17 | 60 HRC | — |
What is 1017?
1017 (UNS G10170) is a general-purpose low-carbon engineering steel at about 0.15–0.20 % C, used across the plain-carbon bar and wire range. It is supplied cold drawn, hot rolled, annealed and normalized, with the listed condition giving 370 MPa yield, 435 MPa tensile, 15 % elongation and 126 HB, and it is commonly carburized after machining. Weldability is high (score 90, CE ≈ 0.25) and cold formability good (score 60), but the steel has no corrosion resistance and machinability is only moderate (score 55) because of built-up edge. 1018 or 1020 are the closest substitutes for higher strength. 1017 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F). 1017 has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1017 used for?
- shafts
- carburized gears
- bolts and screws
- structural brackets
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
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
1017 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1017-CD; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1017 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical16
1017 has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1017 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
1017 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 1017 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
1017's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability good (60/100).
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. 1017 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1017
Is 1017 easy to machine?
Gummy in the annealed state — machine cold-drawn or normalized bar, use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge; expect ~70% of 1212 rates.
Can 1017 be welded?
Excellent by SMAW/GMAW/GTAW/RSW with E70-class filler; carbon equivalent ~0.25 so no preheat needed below ~25 mm, and no post-weld heat treatment except for thick restrained joints.
Can 1017 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — bends, cold heading, deep drawing and roll forming in annealed/hot-rolled temper; cold-drawn bar has reduced ductility and springback should be allowed.
1017 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 1017, UNS G10170 | 0.15 – 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Sinot specified for bessemer/rimmed grades; killed steel typical | ≤ 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1017?
No corrosion resistance of its own: use zinc or zinc-nickel plating, phosphate + oil, black oxide, e-coat or paint; takes carburizing, nitrocarburizing and hard chrome well but polishes only to a moderate 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 1017 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G10170
- Similar grades
- S17C15
How much does 1017 cost?
1017 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.
1017 — frequently asked
What is 1017 used for?
1017 is typically used for shafts, carburized gears, bolts and screws and structural brackets. In short: general-purpose case-hardening bar; weldable low-carbon workhorse; moderate strength, gummy to cut.
What is the yield strength of 1017?
1017 has a typical yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 435 MPa (63.1 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1017 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Gummy in the annealed state — machine cold-drawn or normalized bar, use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge; expect ~70% of 1212 rates.
Can 1017 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent by SMAW/GMAW/GTAW/RSW with E70-class filler; carbon equivalent ~0.25 so no preheat needed below ~25 mm, and no post-weld heat treatment except for thick restrained joints.
What surface finishes work on 1017?
No corrosion resistance of its own: use zinc or zinc-nickel plating, phosphate + oil, black oxide, e-coat or paint; takes carburizing, nitrocarburizing and hard chrome well but polishes only to a moderate luster.
Can 1017 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — bends, cold heading, deep drawing and roll forming in annealed/hot-rolled temper; cold-drawn bar has reduced ductility and springback should be allowed.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1017?
1017 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 1017-CD and 1017-A?
CD is the default condition — standard stock condition for shafts, pins and screw-machine parts needing close tolerance, bright finish and higher strength. A: softest condition, chosen before severe cold forming, deep drawing or cold heading. Yield strength is 370 MPa in CD versus 220 MPa in A.
How much does 1017 cost?
1017 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
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM International (2018)
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- 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)
- Mysteel / SMM (2026)
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.