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Steel 1038-ANN (Annealed)

Heat-treated state

AISI/SAE 1038 · UNS G10380

Softest condition for maximum cold formability, deep drilling or machining before hardening.

Budget cost $

Values for the ANN condition

Other 1038 tempers and conditions

1038 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 1038.

Compare all 9 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Hot rolled
Cheapest bulk form for parts that will be fully machined, forged or heat treated afterwards.28551520149 HB—
ANNThis page
Annealed
Softest condition for maximum cold formability, deep drilling or machining before hardening.32050027143 HB—
Normalized
Uniform fine grain with balanced strength and toughness; standard pre-treatment for forgings before machining or Q&T.34556526163 HB—
Induction hardened
Select when wear-resistant journal or track surfaces are needed while keeping a tough core.4006201854 HRC10 % IACS
Cold Drawn, Stress Relieved
Cold-drawn bar given a low-temperature stress relief for straightness stability in shafting and long machined parts.47057015174 HB10.8 % IACS
CDDefault
Cold drawn
Most stocked bar condition: higher strength, tight tolerance and good surface for shafts and machined parts.51560012179 HB—
quenched and high-temperature tempered (~620 °C)
General-purpose quenched-and-tempered condition for shafts and fasteners needing strength with good toughness.6508302024 HRC—
quenched and tempered (~540 °C)
Higher-strength Q&T bar for loaded pins, connecting rods and gear blanks where toughness is still needed.8109801730 HRC—
quenched and low-temperature tempered (~425 °C)
Maximum practical through-hardened strength for small sections; reduced ductility and weldability.1,0001,1801338 HRC—

What is 1038-ANN?

1038-ANN is 1038 heat treated to ANN — softest condition for maximum cold formability, deep drilling or machining before hardening. 1038-ANN has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1038-ANN 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). CD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; ANN is available on request or by drawing note.

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
  • Easy to machine — 63/100, better than 92% of steel grades
  • Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 27%, better than 86% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Low strength — 320 MPa (46.4 ksi), worse than 81% of steel grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 60 MPa·√m (54.6 ksi·√in), worse than 78% of steel grades

1038-ANN properties

Typical room-temperature values for 1038-ANN; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1038 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

1038-ANN 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,495°C2,723 °F

Mechanical16

1038-ANN has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% 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)500 MPa72.5 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)320 MPa46.4 ksi
Elongation at Break27%
Reduction in Area52%
Compressive Strength515 MPa74.7 ksi
Shear Strength360 MPa52.2 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)235 MPa34.1 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)60 MPa·√m54.6 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)45 J33.2 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell143 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B78 HRB
Hardness, Vickers188 HV

Thermal6

1038-ANN is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 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)11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)350°C662 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

1038-ANN 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 in moist air and water; attacked by acids and chloride solutions; acceptable in dry, oily or alkaline (pH>10) environments; requires paint, phosphate, zinc or oil coating for storage.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 1038-ANN 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 Water45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability8

1038-ANN's machinability is good (63/100, better than 92% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability good (60/100).

MachinabilityGood63/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)60%
WeldabilityGood55/100
Formability (cold)Good60/100
CastabilityFair40/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityVery good70/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use zinc plating, black oxide, phosphate or paint instead

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

Working with 1038-ANN

Is 1038 easy to machine?

Machines readily at ~65 % of 1212; use rigid setups, 150–200 m/min carbide turning speeds, and prefer normalized or Q&T ≤30 HRC structure for chip control.

Can 1038 be welded?

Weldable with low-hydrogen SMAW/GMAW but CE ≈ 0.5–0.6, so preheat 150–260 °C for sections over ~25 mm and post-weld stress relieve to avoid HAZ cracking.

Can 1038 be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forging 1100–1230 °C is easy; cold bending is limited — use generous bend radii (≥2t) and annealed or hot rolled stock rather than cold drawn bar.

What surface finishes work on 1038?

No natural corrosion protection: apply zinc/black oxide, manganese phosphate, oil or paint; hard chrome and nitrocarburizing are common for wear surfaces.

1038 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 A290.35 – 0.420.38
Mn0.6 – 0.90.75
Pmax for bar/rod/wire≤ 0.040.02
Smax for bar/rod/wire≤ 0.050.03
Sitypical when killed steel is specified; not in base J403 limits0.15 – 0.350.25
Febalance—

1038-ANN — frequently asked

What is 1038-ANN used for?

1038-ANN is typically used for machine parts, studs, fasteners and light shafts. In short: best-machining medium-carbon 10xx; heat-treatable to 40 HRC; limited weldability.

What is the yield strength of 1038-ANN?

1038-ANN has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 81% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.

Is 1038-ANN easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (63/100, better than 92% of steel grades). Machines readily at ~65 % of 1212; use rigid setups, 150–200 m/min carbide turning speeds, and prefer normalized or Q&T ≤30 HRC structure for chip control.

Can 1038-ANN be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen SMAW/GMAW but CE ≈ 0.5–0.6, so preheat 150–260 °C for sections over ~25 mm and post-weld stress relieve to avoid HAZ cracking.

What surface finishes work on 1038-ANN?

No natural corrosion protection: apply zinc/black oxide, manganese phosphate, oil or paint; hard chrome and nitrocarburizing are common for wear surfaces.

Can 1038-ANN be formed, bent or molded?

Hot forging 1100–1230 °C is easy; cold bending is limited — use generous bend radii (≥2t) and annealed or hot rolled stock rather than cold drawn bar.

What is the maximum service temperature of 1038-ANN?

1038-ANN is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between 1038-CD and 1038-HR?

CD is the default condition — most stocked bar condition: higher strength, tight tolerance and good surface for shafts and machined parts. HR: cheapest bulk form for parts that will be fully machined, forged or heat treated afterwards. Yield strength is 515 MPa in CD versus 285 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 — 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.4 — Heat Treating — ASM International (1991)
  6. GB/T 699 — (38 equivalent) — SAC (2015)
  7. 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.