Steel 1017 CARB-Q
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 1017 · UNS G10170
CARB-Q = carburized & Quenched
Pick when a wear-resistant hard skin (58–62 HRC) over a tough, unhardened core is needed — gears, pins, cams, bushings.
Values for the CARB-Q condition
Other 1017 tempers and conditions
1017 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 1017.
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 | — |
CARB-QThis page 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 CARB-Q?
1017 CARB-Q is 1017 heat treated to CARB-Q — pick when a wear-resistant hard skin (58–62 HRC) over a tough, unhardened core is needed — gears, pins, cams, bushings. 1017 CARB-Q has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1017 CARB-Q 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). 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
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
1017 CARB-Q properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1017 CARB-Q; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1017 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1017 CARB-Q 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 CARB-Q has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1017 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
1017 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 1017 CARB-Q 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 CARB-Q's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1017 CARB-Q
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.
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.
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 | — |
1017 CARB-Q — frequently asked
What is 1017 CARB-Q used for?
1017 CARB-Q 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 CARB-Q?
1017 CARB-Q has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 590 MPa (85.6 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1017 CARB-Q easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% 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 CARB-Q be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). 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 CARB-Q?
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 CARB-Q 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 CARB-Q?
1017 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 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.