Steel 1038-IH (Induction hardened)
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 1038 · UNS G10380
Select when wear-resistant journal or track surfaces are needed while keeping a tough core.
Values for the IH 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | — |
IHThis page 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-IH?
1038-IH is 1038 heat treated to IH — select when wear-resistant journal or track surfaces are needed while keeping a tough core. 1038-IH has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1038-IH 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; IH is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- 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
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 40 MPa·√m (36.4 ksi·√in), worse than 92% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1038-IH properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1038-IH; 22 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-IH 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-IH has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1038-IH is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1038-IH 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 1038-IH 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-IH's machinability is poor (15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1038-IH
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-IH — frequently asked
What is 1038-IH used for?
1038-IH 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-IH?
1038-IH has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 1038-IH easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, worse than 98% 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-IH be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). 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-IH?
No natural corrosion protection: apply zinc/black oxide, manganese phosphate, oil or paint; hard chrome and nitrocarburizing are common for wear surfaces.
Can 1038-IH 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-IH?
1038-IH is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °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.