Steel 1039
AISI/SAE 1039 · UNS G10390
1039 is a medium-carbon bar steel (UNS G10390) close to 1038 and 1040, used where moderate strength and toughness are needed without alloy additions.
Reference datasheet — 1039 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the HR condition
1039 tempers and conditions
1039 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Softest condition, used before heavy machining, deep cold forming or to relieve prior processing stresses. | 320 | 540 | 30 | 149 HB | — |
Normalized | Refines grain and homogenizes forged or hot-rolled bar for uniform machining response and better toughness before hardening. | 380 | 620 | 26 | 187 HB | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Lowest-cost general bar for machined parts and weldments where tolerance and surface finish are not critical. | 415 | 620 | 25 | 179 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Choose for close size tolerance, straightness and bright finish with ~30 % higher yield strength; ductility and weldability are reduced by the cold work. | 550 | 655 | 12 | 192 HB | — |
oil quenched, tempered ~590 °C | Tough general-purpose quenched-and-tempered condition for shafts and links in sections up to about 25 mm. | 600 | 790 | 20 | 24 HRC | — |
Induction hardened | Selective surface hardening for wear faces, journals and splines while keeping a tough unhardened core. | 700 | 900 | 14 | 54 HRC | 8.6 % IACS |
oil quenched, tempered ~540 °C | Higher-strength quench-and-temper level for loaded studs, couplings and gear blanks where some ductility is still needed. | 760 | 965 | 16 | 30 HRC | — |
What is 1039?
1039 is a medium-carbon bar steel (UNS G10390) close to 1038 and 1040, used where moderate strength and toughness are needed without alloy additions. Hot-rolled stock typically shows 415 MPa yield, 620 MPa tensile, 25 % elongation and 179 HB (88 HRB), and the grade is also stocked cold-drawn, annealed, normalized, quenched-and-tempered to 22–26 or 28–32 HRC, and induction hardened. It has no corrosion resistance, and welding needs preheat plus post-weld tempering (CE ≈ 0.55); use 1020 for welded assemblies or an alloy grade such as 4140 when hardening depth is critical. 1039 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). 1039 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1039 used for?
- Shafting
- Machine components
- Studs and bolts
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), 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 — 25%, better than 77% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 60 MPa·√m (54.6 ksi·√in), worse than 78% of steel grades
1039 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1039-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1039 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
1039 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1039 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1039 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 1039 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
1039's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (40/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 1039 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1039
Is 1039 easy to machine?
Machines readily at ~60 % of 1212; best chip control in the cold-drawn or normalized condition — use carbide, 150–200 m/min, and avoid gummy cuts on fully annealed stock.
Can 1039 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables but CE ≈ 0.55; preheat 150–260 °C, control interpass heat and post-weld temper or stress relieve to avoid HAZ martensite cracking.
Can 1039 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1150–1230 °C; cold bending only with generous radii (≥2t) and preferably in the annealed condition — cold-drawn bar has limited residual ductility.
1039 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/AISI 1039 (UNS G10390) | 0.37 – 0.44 | 0.4 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1039?
No inherent corrosion resistance: zinc or nickel plate, black oxide, manganese phosphate + oil, or paint; takes a good polish and is suitable for induction/nitrocarburized wear surfaces.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 1039 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G10390
How much does 1039 cost?
1039 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
1039 — frequently asked
What is 1039 used for?
1039 is typically used for shafting, machine components and studs and bolts. In short: higher ductility medium carbon; induction-hardenable shaft steel; needs preheat for welding.
What is the yield strength of 1039?
1039 has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1039 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines readily at ~60 % of 1212; best chip control in the cold-drawn or normalized condition — use carbide, 150–200 m/min, and avoid gummy cuts on fully annealed stock.
Can 1039 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen consumables but CE ≈ 0.55; preheat 150–260 °C, control interpass heat and post-weld temper or stress relieve to avoid HAZ martensite cracking.
What surface finishes work on 1039?
No inherent corrosion resistance: zinc or nickel plate, black oxide, manganese phosphate + oil, or paint; takes a good polish and is suitable for induction/nitrocarburized wear surfaces.
Can 1039 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1150–1230 °C; cold bending only with generous radii (≥2t) and preferably in the annealed condition — cold-drawn bar has limited residual ductility.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1039?
1039 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 1039-HR and 1039-IH?
HR is the default condition — lowest-cost general bar for machined parts and weldments where tolerance and surface finish are not critical. IH: selective surface hardening for wear faces, journals and splines while keeping a tough unhardened core. Yield strength is 415 MPa in HR versus 700 MPa in IH.
How much does 1039 cost?
1039 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- SAE J1397 — Estimated Mechanical Properties and Machinability of Steel Bars — SAE International (2009)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM International (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)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.