Steel 1023
AISI/SAE 1023 · UNS G10230
1023 is a low-carbon SAE/AISI bar, sheet and strip steel (UNS G10230) with slightly more carbon than 1020, giving modest strength gains while retaining good weldability.
Reference datasheet — 1023 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
1023 tempers and conditions
1023 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 weldments, brackets and parts that will be machined all over or further heat treated. | 255 | 425 | 25 | 123 HB | — |
Solution annealed | Choose for maximum cold formability (deep drawing, severe bending) or to soften cold-drawn stock before heavy forming. | 285 | 400 | 34 | 116 HB | — |
Normalized | Use to refine grain and homogenize forgings/weldments, giving uniform strength and better toughness than as-rolled. | 330 | 455 | 33 | 131 HB | — |
Cold Drawn, Stress Relieved | Pick when cold-drawn bar must be machined asymmetrically or heavily without distortion from residual stress. | 370 | 455 | 18 | 131 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
CDDefault Cold drawn | Default stocked bar condition: higher strength, tight tolerance and bright surface for shafts, pins and machined parts. | 395 | 470 | 15 | 137 HB | — |
Carburized & Quenched | Select when a hard wear-resistant case (0.5–1.5 mm) over a tough low-carbon core is needed, e.g. pins, bushings, light gears. | 420 | 620 | 15 | 60 HRC | — |
What is 1023?
1023 is a low-carbon SAE/AISI bar, sheet and strip steel (UNS G10230) with slightly more carbon than 1020, giving modest strength gains while retaining good weldability. Typical cold-drawn properties are 395 MPa yield, 470 MPa tensile, 15 % elongation and 137 HB (75 HRB), with hot-rolled, annealed, normalized, stress-relieved and carburized conditions available. Carbon equivalent is about 0.30, so welding rarely needs preheat, but there is no corrosion resistance and machinability (55) is below the resulfurized grades such as 1117 or 1215. 1023 has a density of 7.86 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). 1023 has a yield strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1023 used for?
- Sheet and strip parts
- Cold-formed brackets
- General fabrication
- Light-duty shafts
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
1023 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1023-CD; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1023 has a density of 7.86 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
1023 has a yield strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1023 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
1023 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 1023 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
1023'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. 1023 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1023
Is 1023 easy to machine?
Gummy, long stringy chips in the annealed/hot-rolled state — prefer cold drawn, sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant; add carburizing or a resulfurized grade (1117/1215) if free machining is critical.
Can 1023 be welded?
Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/GTAW/RSW with E70-class filler; carbon equivalent ≈0.30, so preheat is only needed above ~40 mm or in restrained joints.
Can 1023 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold bending, roll forming, upsetting and deep drawing in HR/annealed condition; cold-drawn bar has reduced ductility and should be bent with generous radii.
1023 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 / ASTM A29 heat analysis | 0.2 – 0.25 | 0.23 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Siwhen killed steel is specified; not required for rimmed grades | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1023?
No anodizing — protect with zinc/zinc-nickel plating, hot-dip galvanizing, phosphate + oil, black oxide or paint; polishes to a bright finish but will rust unplated.
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 1023 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G10230
How much does 1023 cost?
1023 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.
1023 — frequently asked
What is 1023 used for?
1023 is typically used for sheet and strip parts, cold-formed brackets, general fabrication and light-duty shafts. In short: weldable without preheat; slightly stronger than 1020; sheet and strip forming grade.
What is the yield strength of 1023?
1023 has a typical yield strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 63% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1023 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Gummy, long stringy chips in the annealed/hot-rolled state — prefer cold drawn, sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant; add carburizing or a resulfurized grade (1117/1215) if free machining is critical.
Can 1023 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/GTAW/RSW with E70-class filler; carbon equivalent ≈0.30, so preheat is only needed above ~40 mm or in restrained joints.
What surface finishes work on 1023?
No anodizing — protect with zinc/zinc-nickel plating, hot-dip galvanizing, phosphate + oil, black oxide or paint; polishes to a bright finish but will rust unplated.
Can 1023 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold bending, roll forming, upsetting and deep drawing in HR/annealed condition; cold-drawn bar has reduced ductility and should be bent with generous radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1023?
1023 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 1023-CD and 1023-HR?
CD is the default condition — default stocked bar condition: higher strength, tight tolerance and bright surface for shafts, pins and machined parts. HR: lowest-cost condition for weldments, brackets and parts that will be machined all over or further heat treated. Yield strength is 395 MPa in CD versus 255 MPa in HR.
How much does 1023 cost?
1023 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, 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.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- GB/T 699 — (20 equivalent) — SAC (2015)
- Mysteel / 1688 (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.