Steel 1030
AISI/SAE 1030 · UNS G10300 · EN 1.0528, C30 · JIS S30C
AISI 1030 is a plain-carbon medium-carbon structural steel (~0.30 % C, 0.60–0.90 % Mn) supplied as hot-rolled or cold-drawn bar, plate and coil.
Values for the HR condition
1030 tempers and conditions
1030 is supplied in 10 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HRDefault Hot rolled | Default, cheapest condition for weldments, brackets and forging/machining stock where tolerances and surface are not critical. | 260 | 470 | 20 | 137 HB | — |
full anneal ~845 °C, furnace cooled | Softest and most ductile condition — use before heavy cold forming, deep machining or to relieve prior work hardening. | 341 | 463 | 31 | 126 HB | — |
925 °C, air cooled | Uniform fine-grain structure with balanced strength and toughness — standard condition for forgings and pre-machining stock. | 345 | 521 | 32 | 149 HB | — |
Induction hardened | Select when a wear-resistant 50 HRC case on a tough core is needed — 1030's carbon level suits induction-hardened journals and tracks. | 360 | 550 | 20 | 50 HRC | 10 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Choose for as-supplied shafting, studs and screw-machine parts: tight tolerance, bright finish and ~440 MPa yield without heat treatment. | 440 | 525 | 12 | 149 HB | — |
Q&T 650 °C temper | High-temper, high-toughness condition close to normalized strength; used where impact and machinability matter more than strength. | 441 | 586 | 32 | 207 HB | 10 % IACS |
Cold rolled | Pick for sheet/strip needing good surface and thickness tolerance; strength raised by rolling, ductility reduced. | 460 | 550 | 12 | 160 HB | 10 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | General-purpose quenched-and-tempered condition: ~670 MPa tensile with high ductility and toughness for shafts, links and fasteners. | 517 | 669 | 28 | 25 HRC | — |
Q&T 425 °C temper | Mid-range temper when ~730 MPa tensile with useful ductility is required, e.g. medium-duty shafts and pins. | 579 | 731 | 23 | 31 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
Q&T 205 °C temper | Maximum-hardness condition for thin, wear-loaded parts; low ductility and notch sensitivity, hardenable only in small sections. | 648 | 848 | 17 | 49 HRC | — |
What is 1030?
AISI 1030 is a plain-carbon medium-carbon structural steel (~0.30 % C, 0.60–0.90 % Mn) supplied as hot-rolled or cold-drawn bar, plate and coil. It is chosen when hot-rolled mild steel is too weak but full 1045-class hardenability is not needed: it normalizes to ~520 MPa tensile and can be quenched and tempered or induction-hardened to 25–50 HRC for shafts, links, studs and forged parts. Limits are poor corrosion resistance (needs paint/plating), only moderate hardenability (thin sections only for through-hardening) and weldability that requires preheat above ~20 mm section. 1030 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). 1030 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is 1030 used for?
- Forged axles
- Machinery shafts
- Bolts
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 260 MPa (37.7 ksi), worse than 92% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 82% of steel grades
1030 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1030-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1030 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).
Mechanical15
1030 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1030 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
1030 conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1030 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
1030's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability good (62/100); formability fair (50/100).
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. 1030 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1030
Is 1030 easy to machine?
Machines readily at ~70 % of 1212 in the cold-drawn or normalized state; anneal or normalize before heavy cuts, use positive-rake carbide and coolant, and avoid gummy chips in the fully annealed condition.
Can 1030 be welded?
Weldable by SMAW/GMAW with E70xx/ER70S filler; carbon ~0.30 % means preheat 100–200 °C for sections above ~20 mm plus post-weld stress relief, and re-heat-treatment if the part was Q&T.
Can 1030 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bend and hot forge freely in the annealed/hot-rolled state (forging 1100–1230 °C); cold-drawn and Q&T material has limited bend radius and should be normalized before severe forming.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 1030. Every 1030 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better55 / 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 | Good50 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better62 / 100 |
1030 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 | 0.28 – 0.34 | 0.31 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Sinot specified by SAE for 10xx bar; typical for killed steel / DIN C30 | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1030?
No inherent corrosion protection — specify phosphate + oil, black oxide, zinc/zinc-nickel plating, hot-dip galvanizing or paint; takes a good ground/polished finish for shafting 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).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 1030 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 1030 cost?
1030 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 98% 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.
1030 — frequently asked
What is 1030 used for?
1030 is typically used for forged axles, machinery shafts and bolts. In short: versatile medium-carbon.
What is the yield strength of 1030?
1030 has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 1030 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines readily at ~70 % of 1212 in the cold-drawn or normalized state; anneal or normalize before heavy cuts, use positive-rake carbide and coolant, and avoid gummy chips in the fully annealed condition.
Can 1030 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (62/100). Weldable by SMAW/GMAW with E70xx/ER70S filler; carbon ~0.30 % means preheat 100–200 °C for sections above ~20 mm plus post-weld stress relief, and re-heat-treatment if the part was Q&T.
What surface finishes work on 1030?
No inherent corrosion protection — specify phosphate + oil, black oxide, zinc/zinc-nickel plating, hot-dip galvanizing or paint; takes a good ground/polished finish for shafting but will rust unplated.
Can 1030 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bend and hot forge freely in the annealed/hot-rolled state (forging 1100–1230 °C); cold-drawn and Q&T material has limited bend radius and should be normalized before severe forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1030?
1030 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 1030-HR and 1030-CR?
HR is the default condition — default, cheapest condition for weldments, brackets and forging/machining stock where tolerances and surface are not critical. CR: pick for sheet/strip needing good surface and thickness tolerance; strength raised by rolling, ductility reduced. Yield strength is 260 MPa in HR versus 460 MPa in CR.
How much does 1030 cost?
1030 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 98% 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 1030?
Yes — 1030 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 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 (carbon steel mechanical property tables) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (hardenability and tempering of 10xx steels) — ASM International (1991)
- JIS G 4051 — Carbon steels for machine structural use (S30C) — JSA (2016)
- EN 10083-2 / DIN 17200 — Non-alloy quality steels for quenching and tempering (C30, 1.0528) — CEN (2006)
- Mysteel / carbon structural bar price quotations — 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.