Steel 1026
AISI/SAE 1026 · UNS G10260
1026 (G10260, 25Mn) is a low-carbon steel with raised manganese, which gives better hardenability and strength than 1025 while keeping carbon near 0.26 % for good weldability.
Values for the HR condition
1026 tempers and conditions
1026 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
full/subcritical anneal | Softest, most ductile and most stable condition — pick before heavy cold forming, deep drawing or to relieve prior work. | 250 | 420 | 30 | 116 HB | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Cheapest general-purpose condition for weldments, structural bar and machined parts where scale and loose tolerances are acceptable. | 275 | 440 | 24 | 126 HB | — |
austenitize ≈870 °C, air cool | Uniform fine ferrite–pearlite for consistent machining response and better low-temperature toughness in welded or forged parts. | 295 | 470 | 27 | 135 HB | — |
Cold rolled | Choose for sheet and strip needing clean surface and tight thickness; strength depends on the amount of skin/temper rolling. | 370 | 470 | 18 | 140 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Standard choice for shafting and screw-machine work: higher yield, straighter and to size, but with residual stress and reduced ductility. | 415 | 490 | 15 | 143 HB | — |
Drawn-Over-Mandrel welded mechanical tube | The dominant commercial form of 1026: cold-drawn welded tube for hydraulic cylinders, roll cages and axle housings, with high strength and good concentricity. | 470 | 570 | 12 | 9 HRC | 10.8 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Use where higher yield strength and section toughness are needed in thin/medium sections; hardenability is shallow, so large bars stay soft in the core. | 480 | 620 | 20 | 14 HRC | — |
What is 1026?
1026 (G10260, 25Mn) is a low-carbon steel with raised manganese, which gives better hardenability and strength than 1025 while keeping carbon near 0.26 % for good weldability. It is stocked hot-rolled, cold-drawn, annealed, normalized, quenched-and-tempered and as DOM mechanical tube for shafts, pins and machined parts, and is often carburized for a wear-resistant case over a tough core. The default condition gives 275 MPa yield, 440 MPa tensile, 24 % elongation and 126 HB. It offers no corrosion resistance of its own and must be plated, coated or oiled. 1026 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). 1026 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — weaker than 91% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1026 used for?
- Pinion shafts
- Drive shafts
- DOM mechanical tubing
- Hydraulic cylinder tubes
- Machined pins and bushings
- Carburized gears and sprockets
- Structural weldments and brackets
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 — 85/100, better than 83% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 275 MPa (39.9 ksi), worse than 91% of steel grades
1026 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1026-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1026 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical14
1026 has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — weaker than 91% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1026 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 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1026 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 1026 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
1026's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability good (65/100).
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. 1026 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1026
Is 1026 easy to machine?
Machines readily at ~65 % of 1212; gummy in the annealed state, so prefer cold-drawn or normalized stock, sharp positive-rake tools and generous coolant for good finish.
Can 1026 be welded?
Excellent weldability by all arc processes with ER70S-x/E7018 filler; carbon ≈0.26 % means preheat 100–150 °C for sections above ~25 mm or restrained joints.
Can 1026 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending, forming and cold heading in HR/annealed condition; cold-drawn and DOM material has limited remaining ductility and springback — stress relieve before heavy forming.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 1026. Every 1026 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better60 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 220 / 260 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent65 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent85 / 100 |
1026 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 | 0.22 – 0.28 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Sinot specified for bessemer/rimmed grades; typical for killed steel | ≤ 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1026?
No corrosion protection of its own — zinc plate, phosphate-and-oil, e-coat, black oxide or paint; takes hard chrome and induction/carburized case hardening well, and polishes to a fair commercial finish.
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).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 1026 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G10260
- Similar grades
- 25Mn
How much does 1026 cost?
1026 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 100% 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.
1026 — frequently asked
What is 1026 used for?
1026 is typically used for pinion shafts, drive shafts, DOM mechanical tubing, hydraulic cylinder tubes, machined pins and bushings and carburized gears and sprockets. In short: mechanical hot-rolled tube.
What is the yield strength of 1026?
1026 has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — weaker than 91% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1026 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades). Machines readily at ~65 % of 1212; gummy in the annealed state, so prefer cold-drawn or normalized stock, sharp positive-rake tools and generous coolant for good finish.
Can 1026 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent weldability by all arc processes with ER70S-x/E7018 filler; carbon ≈0.26 % means preheat 100–150 °C for sections above ~25 mm or restrained joints.
What surface finishes work on 1026?
No corrosion protection of its own — zinc plate, phosphate-and-oil, e-coat, black oxide or paint; takes hard chrome and induction/carburized case hardening well, and polishes to a fair commercial finish.
Can 1026 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending, forming and cold heading in HR/annealed condition; cold-drawn and DOM material has limited remaining ductility and springback — stress relieve before heavy forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1026?
1026 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 1026-HR and 1026-DOM?
HR is the default condition — cheapest general-purpose condition for weldments, structural bar and machined parts where scale and loose tolerances are acceptable. DOM: the dominant commercial form of 1026: cold-drawn welded tube for hydraulic cylinders, roll cages and axle housings, with high strength and good concentricity. Yield strength is 275 MPa in HR versus 470 MPa in DOM.
How much does 1026 cost?
1026 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 100% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1026?
Yes — 1026 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. 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 A513 — Electric-Resistance-Welded Carbon and Alloy Steel Mechanical Tubing — ASTM (2021)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- 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)
- Carbon steel bar & DOM tube property tables — producer/distributor datasheets (2023)
- 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.