Steel 1037-A (Solution annealed)
Temper
AISI/SAE 1037 · UNS G10370
Softest condition for heavy cold forming, deep machining of complex parts or stress relief before hardening.
Values for the A condition
Other 1037 tempers and conditions
1037 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 1037.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AThis page Solution annealed | Softest condition for heavy cold forming, deep machining of complex parts or stress relief before hardening. | 275 | 490 | 30 | 137 HB | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Most economical stock condition for shafts, pins and weldments where tight size tolerance and surface finish are not required. | 282 | 510 | 26 | 143 HB | — |
Normalized | Uniform fine-pearlitic structure with better toughness and machining consistency than as-rolled; usual pre-treatment before machining and quench-hardening. | 310 | 545 | 27 | 152 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Choose for higher strength, straightness, close diameter tolerance and a bright machined-ready surface on turned parts and screw-machine work. | 500 | 590 | 16 | 170 HB | — |
water quenched, high-temperature temper (~600 °C) | Tough, moderately strengthened condition for shafts and machine parts in small sections where impact loading matters. | 620 | 800 | 22 | 24 HRC | — |
Induction hardened | Pick when the part needs a wear-resistant, fatigue-strong surface (journals, cams, splines) with a tough unhardened core. | 700 | 900 | 14 | 54 HRC | — |
water quenched, tempered ~540 °C | Standard quenched-and-tempered strength level for pins, spindles and small shafts up to about 25 mm section. | 760 | 960 | 18 | 30 HRC | — |
What is 1037-A?
1037-A is 1037 in the A temper — softest condition for heavy cold forming, deep machining of complex parts or stress relief before hardening. 1037-A has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 91% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1037-A 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; A is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 93% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 62/100, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 275 MPa (39.9 ksi), worse than 91% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 82% of steel grades
1037-A properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1037-A; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1037 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1037-A 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).
Mechanical16
1037-A has a yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 91% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1037-A is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1037-A conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1037-A 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
1037-A's machinability is good (57/100, better than 71% of steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability good (62/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1037-A
Is 1037 easy to machine?
Machines readily at ~65 % of 1212; cold drawn gives the best chip control and finish — use rigid setups, carbide tooling and coolant; normalize first if the bar is banded.
Can 1037 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen electrodes but carbon equivalent ≈0.5, so preheat 150–250 °C, control interpass temperature and stress-relieve or slow-cool thick joints.
Can 1037 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge at 1100–1200 °C; cold bending is limited by the 0.35 % C level — use generous bend radii or anneal/normalize before severe forming.
What surface finishes work on 1037?
No natural corrosion protection: use zinc or nickel plating, black oxide, manganese phosphate + oil, or paint; polishes to a fair bright finish before plating.
1037 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 | 0.32 – 0.38 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Pmax, bar/rod/wire | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Smax, bar/rod/wire | ≤ 0.05 | — |
| Siwhen killed steel specified | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1037-A — frequently asked
What is 1037-A used for?
1037-A is typically used for shafts, small forgings, bolts and general machinery parts. In short: mid-range carbon shaft steel; stronger than 1018; preheat required for welding.
What is the yield strength of 1037-A?
1037-A has a typical yield strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 91% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1037-A easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (57/100, better than 71% of steel grades). Machines readily at ~65 % of 1212; cold drawn gives the best chip control and finish — use rigid setups, carbide tooling and coolant; normalize first if the bar is banded.
Can 1037-A be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen electrodes but carbon equivalent ≈0.5, so preheat 150–250 °C, control interpass temperature and stress-relieve or slow-cool thick joints.
What surface finishes work on 1037-A?
No natural corrosion protection: use zinc or nickel plating, black oxide, manganese phosphate + oil, or paint; polishes to a fair bright finish before plating.
Can 1037-A be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge at 1100–1200 °C; cold bending is limited by the 0.35 % C level — use generous bend radii or anneal/normalize before severe forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1037-A?
1037-A 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 1037-HR and 1037-IH?
HR is the default condition — most economical stock condition for shafts, pins and weldments where tight size tolerance and surface finish are not required. IH: pick when the part needs a wear-resistant, fatigue-strong surface (journals, cams, splines) with a tough unhardened core. Yield strength is 282 MPa in HR versus 700 MPa in IH.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — 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)
- Machinery's Handbook (machinability ratings, heat treatment of carbon steels) — Industrial Press (2020)
- Mysteel / 1688 (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.