Steel 1020 · supply condition · default condition
Steel 1020-CD
Properties of the CD condition, compared with the other 1020 tempers.
Default stocked condition: higher yield, bright straight surface and tight tolerances for shafts, pins and turned parts.
What is 1020-CD?
1020-CD is 1020 supplied in the CD condition — default stocked condition: higher yield, bright straight surface and tight tolerances for shafts, pins and turned parts. 1020-CD has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1020-CD has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
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 — 92/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 85% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1020-CD properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1020-CD — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1020 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1020-CD has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical16
1020-CD has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 73% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1020-CD is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1020-CD conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1020-CD takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
1020-CD's machinability is good (57/100, better than 71% of steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); 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.
Other 1020 tempers and conditions
1020 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1020 overview.
- CDDefaultDefault stocked condition: higher yield, bright straight surface and tight tolerances for shafts, pins and turned parts.350 MPa yield · 121 HB
- CARBPick when a wear-resistant 0.5–1.5 mm hard case over a tough low-carbon core is needed (gears, pins, bushings, cams).420 MPa yield · 60 HRC
- WQTRarely specified: low hardenability limits it to thin sections where a modest strength boost over normalized is wanted.400 MPa yield · 165 HB
- NORMUniform fine-grain structure with better toughness and consistency than as-rolled; used after forging or heavy welding.345 MPa yield · 131 HB
- CDSRCold-drawn bar with a 550–650 °C stress relief for straightness stability in long or asymmetrically machined shafts.330 MPa yield · 116 HB
- ANNSoftest, most ductile state — choose for deep drawing, severe bending or before carburizing.295 MPa yield · 111 HB
- HRCheapest form for welded frames, brackets and machined-all-over parts where scale and loose tolerance are acceptable.250 MPa yield · 111 HB
Working with 1020-CD
Is 1020 easy to machine?
Machines easily but gummy in the annealed state — use positive rake, sharp tools and good coolant; cold-drawn bar gives the best surface finish and chip control.
Can 1020 be welded?
Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes with no preheat below ~25 mm and no post-weld heat treatment required.
Can 1020 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — bends, rolls, headed and deep-drawn readily; anneal or use HR/annealed stock for severe forming.
What surface finishes work on 1020?
Not anodizable; protect with zinc plating, hot-dip galvanizing, black oxide, phosphate-and-oil or paint/powder coat, since bare surfaces rust quickly.
1020 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 / GB/T 699 20# | 0.17 – 0.23 | 0.2 |
| MnGB 20#: 0.35–0.65 | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Sinot specified in SAE for bar; GB/T 699 0.17–0.37 | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| SSAE 0.050 max; GB 0.035 max | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Crresidual (GB/T 699) | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
1020-CD — frequently asked
What is 1020-CD used for?
1020-CD is typically used for camshafts, gears and frames. In short: general purpose carbon steel.
What is the yield strength of 1020-CD?
1020-CD has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 73% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1020-CD easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (57/100, better than 71% of steel grades). Machines easily but gummy in the annealed state — use positive rake, sharp tools and good coolant; cold-drawn bar gives the best surface finish and chip control.
Can 1020-CD be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes with no preheat below ~25 mm and no post-weld heat treatment required.
What surface finishes work on 1020-CD?
Not anodizable; protect with zinc plating, hot-dip galvanizing, black oxide, phosphate-and-oil or paint/powder coat, since bare surfaces rust quickly.
Can 1020-CD be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — bends, rolls, headed and deep-drawn readily; anneal or use HR/annealed stock for severe forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1020-CD?
1020-CD is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1020-CD and 1020-HR?
CD is the default condition — default stocked condition: higher yield, bright straight surface and tight tolerances for shafts, pins and turned parts. HR: cheapest form for welded frames, brackets and machined-all-over parts where scale and loose tolerance are acceptable. Yield strength is 350 MPa in CD versus 250 MPa in HR.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1020-CD?
Yes — 1020-CD is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
- JIS G 4051 (S20C) — JISC (2016)
- EN 10083-2 / EN 10084 (C20, 1.0402) — CEN (2006)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- worldsteel LCI data for steel products — World Steel Association (2023)
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.