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Steel 1023-N (Normalized)

Heat-treated state

AISI/SAE 1023 · UNS G10230

Use to refine grain and homogenize forgings/weldments, giving uniform strength and better toughness than as-rolled.

Budget cost $

Values for the N 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 datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Hot rolled
Lowest-cost condition for weldments, brackets and parts that will be machined all over or further heat treated.25542525123 HB—
Solution annealed
Choose for maximum cold formability (deep drawing, severe bending) or to soften cold-drawn stock before heavy forming.28540034116 HB—
NThis page
Normalized
Use to refine grain and homogenize forgings/weldments, giving uniform strength and better toughness than as-rolled.33045533131 HB—
Cold Drawn, Stress Relieved
Pick when cold-drawn bar must be machined asymmetrically or heavily without distortion from residual stress.37045518131 HB10.8 % IACS
CDDefault
Cold drawn
Default stocked bar condition: higher strength, tight tolerance and bright surface for shafts, pins and machined parts.39547015137 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.4206201560 HRC—

What is 1023-N?

1023-N is 1023 heat treated to N — use to refine grain and homogenize forgings/weldments, giving uniform strength and better toughness than as-rolled. 1023-N has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 33% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1023-N 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; N is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 33%, better than 96% of steel grades
  • Conducts heat well — 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades
  • Readily welded — 93/100, better than 95% of steel grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 93% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Low strength — 330 MPa (47.9 ksi), worse than 78% of steel grades

1023-N properties

Typical room-temperature values for 1023-N; 12 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-N 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).

Density7.86 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,515°C2,759 °F

Mechanical16

1023-N has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 33% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus200 GPa29 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)455 MPa66 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)330 MPa47.9 ksi
Elongation at Break33%
Reduction in Area65%
Compressive Strength395 MPa57.3 ksi
Shear Strength320 MPa46.4 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)225 MPa32.6 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)85 J62.7 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell131 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B73 HRB
Hardness, Vickers144 HV

Thermal6

1023-N 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).

Thermal Conductivity51.9 W/m·K30 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity486 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion247 J/g106 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)400°C752 °F
Min Service Temperature-30°C-22 °F

Electrical3

1023-N conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity10.8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.61 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended10/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts rapidly in humid air, water and chlorides; attacked by all acids; acceptable in dry environments, oils, caustics and neutral non-aerated media. Requires paint, phosphate, zinc plating or galvanizing for service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 1023-N takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)1.9 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability8

1023-N's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability excellent (93/100); formability very good (80/100).

MachinabilityFair52/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)60%
WeldabilityExcellent93/100
Formability (cold)Very good80/100
CastabilityFair40/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityVery good80/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use phosphating, black oxide, zinc plating or paint instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 1023-N

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CSAE J403 / ASTM A29 heat analysis0.2 – 0.250.23
Mn0.3 – 0.60.45
P≤ 0.030.02
S≤ 0.050.03
Siwhen killed steel is specified; not required for rimmed grades≤ 0.30.15
Febalance—

1023-N — frequently asked

What is 1023-N used for?

1023-N 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-N?

1023-N has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is 1023-N easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% 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-N be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated excellent (93/100). 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-N?

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-N 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-N?

1023-N 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

  1. SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
  2. ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements — ASTM (2020)
  3. ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
  6. GB/T 699 — (20 equivalent) — SAC (2015)
  7. 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.