Steel 1038-HR (Hot rolled)
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 1038 · UNS G10380
Cheapest bulk form for parts that will be fully machined, forged or heat treated afterwards.
Values for the HR 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 datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HRThis page Hot rolled | Cheapest bulk form for parts that will be fully machined, forged or heat treated afterwards. | 285 | 515 | 20 | 149 HB | — |
Annealed | Softest condition for maximum cold formability, deep drilling or machining before hardening. | 320 | 500 | 27 | 143 HB | — |
Normalized | Uniform fine grain with balanced strength and toughness; standard pre-treatment for forgings before machining or Q&T. | 345 | 565 | 26 | 163 HB | — |
Induction hardened | Select when wear-resistant journal or track surfaces are needed while keeping a tough core. | 400 | 620 | 18 | 54 HRC | 10 % IACS |
Cold Drawn, Stress Relieved | Cold-drawn bar given a low-temperature stress relief for straightness stability in shafting and long machined parts. | 470 | 570 | 15 | 174 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
CDDefault Cold drawn | Most stocked bar condition: higher strength, tight tolerance and good surface for shafts and machined parts. | 515 | 600 | 12 | 179 HB | — |
quenched and high-temperature tempered (~620 °C) | General-purpose quenched-and-tempered condition for shafts and fasteners needing strength with good toughness. | 650 | 830 | 20 | 24 HRC | — |
quenched and tempered (~540 °C) | Higher-strength Q&T bar for loaded pins, connecting rods and gear blanks where toughness is still needed. | 810 | 980 | 17 | 30 HRC | — |
quenched and low-temperature tempered (~425 °C) | Maximum practical through-hardened strength for small sections; reduced ductility and weldability. | 1,000 | 1,180 | 13 | 38 HRC | — |
What is 1038-HR?
1038-HR is 1038 supplied in the HR condition — cheapest bulk form for parts that will be fully machined, forged or heat treated afterwards. 1038-HR has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) — weaker than 89% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1038-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). CD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HR 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
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 285 MPa (41.3 ksi), worse than 89% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 60 MPa·√m (54.6 ksi·√in), worse than 78% of steel grades
1038-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1038-HR; 16 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-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).
Mechanical16
1038-HR has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) — weaker than 89% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1038-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 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1038-HR 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 1038-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%.
Manufacturability8
1038-HR's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability fair (52/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1038-HR
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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CSAE J403 / ASTM A29 | 0.35 – 0.42 | 0.38 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| Pmax for bar/rod/wire | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Smax for bar/rod/wire | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Sitypical when killed steel is specified; not in base J403 limits | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1038-HR — frequently asked
What is 1038-HR used for?
1038-HR 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-HR?
1038-HR has a typical yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) — weaker than 89% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 1038-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% 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-HR be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (52/100). 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-HR?
No natural corrosion protection: apply zinc/black oxide, manganese phosphate, oil or paint; hard chrome and nitrocarburizing are common for wear surfaces.
Can 1038-HR 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-HR?
1038-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 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
- 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)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating — ASM International (1991)
- GB/T 699 — (38 equivalent) — SAC (2015)
- 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.