Steel 1030 · supply condition · default condition
Steel 1030-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other 1030 tempers.
Default, cheapest condition for weldments, brackets and forging/machining stock where tolerances and surface are not critical.
What is 1030-HR?
1030-HR is 1030 supplied in the HR condition — default, cheapest condition for weldments, brackets and forging/machining stock where tolerances and surface are not critical. 1030-HR 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). 1030-HR 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).
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 82% 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 83% of steel grades
1030-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1030-HR — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1030 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1030-HR 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-HR 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-HR 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-HR conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1030-HR 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-HR'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.
Other 1030 tempers and conditions
1030 is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1030 overview.
- HRDefaultDefault, cheapest condition for weldments, brackets and forging/machining stock where tolerances and surface are not critical.260 MPa yield · 137 HB
- Q&T-205Maximum-hardness condition for thin, wear-loaded parts; low ductility and notch sensitivity, hardenable only in small sections.648 MPa yield · 49 HRC
- Q&T-425Mid-range temper when ~730 MPa tensile with useful ductility is required, e.g. medium-duty shafts and pins.579 MPa yield · 31 HRC
- Q&TGeneral-purpose quenched-and-tempered condition: ~670 MPa tensile with high ductility and toughness for shafts, links and fasteners.517 MPa yield · 25 HRC
- CRPick for sheet/strip needing good surface and thickness tolerance; strength raised by rolling, ductility reduced.460 MPa yield · 160 HB
- Q&T-650High-temper, high-toughness condition close to normalized strength; used where impact and machinability matter more than strength.441 MPa yield · 207 HB
- CDChoose for as-supplied shafting, studs and screw-machine parts: tight tolerance, bright finish and ~440 MPa yield without heat treatment.440 MPa yield · 149 HB
- IHSelect when a wear-resistant 50 HRC case on a tough core is needed — 1030's carbon level suits induction-hardened journals and tracks.360 MPa yield · 50 HRC
- NormalizedUniform fine-grain structure with balanced strength and toughness — standard condition for forgings and pre-machining stock.345 MPa yield · 149 HB
- AnnealedSoftest and most ductile condition — use before heavy cold forming, deep machining or to relieve prior work hardening.341 MPa yield · 126 HB
Working with 1030-HR
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.
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.
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 | — |
1030-HR — frequently asked
What is 1030-HR used for?
1030-HR is typically used for forged axles, machinery shafts and bolts. In short: versatile medium-carbon.
What is the yield strength of 1030-HR?
1030-HR 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-HR 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-HR 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-HR?
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-HR 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-HR?
1030-HR 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1030-HR?
Yes — 1030-HR is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.