Steel 1021
AISI/SAE 1021 · UNS G10210
1021 is a low-carbon SAE/AISI steel (UNS G10210) similar to 1020 but with slightly higher manganese for a little more strength and hardenability.
Reference datasheet — 1021 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
1021 tempers and conditions
1021 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot rolled | Lowest-cost condition for structural and weld-fabricated parts where scale and loose tolerances are acceptable. | 220 | 400 | 25 | 116 HB | — |
Solution annealed | Choose for maximum ductility before deep drawing, severe cold forming or heavy machining of forgings. | 295 | 395 | 36 | 111 HB | — |
Normalized | Use to refine grain and homogenize forgings/weldments, giving a good strength–toughness balance. | 330 | 445 | 33 | 131 HB | — |
Cold Drawn, Stress Relieved | Pick when machined parts must stay straight — residual drawing stresses are removed with only slight strength loss. | 345 | 430 | 18 | 126 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
CDDefault Cold drawn | Default stock condition for round/square bar: tighter tolerances, smooth finish and higher strength than hot rolled. | 385 | 455 | 15 | 131 HB | — |
case hardened | Use for gears, pins and bushings needing a hard wear-resistant case (58–62 HRC) over a tough low-carbon core. | 400 | 600 | 18 | 60 HRC | 9 % IACS |
What is 1021?
1021 is a low-carbon SAE/AISI steel (UNS G10210) similar to 1020 but with slightly higher manganese for a little more strength and hardenability. Cold-drawn bar typically runs 385 MPa yield, 455 MPa tensile, 15 % elongation and 131 HB (72 HRB); hot-rolled, annealed, normalized, cold-drawn stress-relieved and carburized quench-and-tempered conditions are on file. Weldability is excellent, but the grade has no corrosion resistance without a coating and machinability is only moderate — 1117 or 12L14 are the free-machining alternatives. 1021 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). 1021 has a yield strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — weaker than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1021 used for?
- Bolts
- Studs
- Machine parts
- Cold-headed fasteners
- Light structural parts
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
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1021 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1021-CD; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1021 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
1021 has a yield strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — weaker than 65% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1021 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 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1021 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 1021 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
1021's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); 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.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 1021 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1021
Is 1021 easy to machine?
Machines easily but gummy — use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed and good coolant; cold-drawn bar gives better chip control and finish than hot rolled.
Can 1021 be welded?
Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/GTAW/RSW with ER70S-x or E70xx filler; no preheat required below ~25 mm, keep interpass clean and dry.
Can 1021 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — bending, roll forming, heading and drawing; anneal or normalize before severe forming and allow for springback.
1021 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 | 0.18 – 0.23 | 0.2 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1021?
No natural corrosion protection: zinc plate, black oxide, phosphate + oil, hot-dip galvanize or paint; takes a decent ground/polished finish but not mirror bright.
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 1021 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G10210
How much does 1021 cost?
1021 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.
1021 — frequently asked
What is 1021 used for?
1021 is typically used for bolts, studs, machine parts, cold-headed fasteners and light structural parts. In short: higher-manganese 1020 variant; excellent weldability; good cold-heading grade.
What is the yield strength of 1021?
1021 has a typical yield strength of 385 MPa (55.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — weaker than 65% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1021 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machines easily but gummy — use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed and good coolant; cold-drawn bar gives better chip control and finish than hot rolled.
Can 1021 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/GTAW/RSW with ER70S-x or E70xx filler; no preheat required below ~25 mm, keep interpass clean and dry.
What surface finishes work on 1021?
No natural corrosion protection: zinc plate, black oxide, phosphate + oil, hot-dip galvanize or paint; takes a decent ground/polished finish but not mirror bright.
Can 1021 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — bending, roll forming, heading and drawing; anneal or normalize before severe forming and allow for springback.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1021?
1021 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 1021-CD and 1021-HR?
CD is the default condition — default stock condition for round/square bar: tighter tolerances, smooth finish and higher strength than hot rolled. HR: lowest-cost condition for structural and weld-fabricated parts where scale and loose tolerances are acceptable. Yield strength is 385 MPa in CD versus 220 MPa in HR.
How much does 1021 cost?
1021 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
- 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating — ASM International (1991)
- GB/T 699 — (20Mn) — SAC (2015)
- Mysteel / SMM (2025)
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.