Steel 1023 CARB
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 1023 · UNS G10230
CARB = 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.
Values for the CARB condition
Other 1023 tempers and conditions
1023 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 1023.
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 | — |
CARBThis page 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 CARB?
1023 CARB is 1023 heat treated to CARB — 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. 1023 CARB has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1023 CARB 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). CD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CARB 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
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 95% of steel grades
1023 CARB properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1023 CARB; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1023 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1023 CARB 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 CARB has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1023 CARB 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 CARB 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 CARB 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 CARB's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1023 CARB
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.
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.
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 | — |
1023 CARB — frequently asked
What is 1023 CARB used for?
1023 CARB 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 CARB?
1023 CARB has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1023 CARB easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% 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 CARB be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). 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 CARB?
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 CARB 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 CARB?
1023 CARB 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.