Steel 1043-NCD (Normalized and Cold Drawn)
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 1043 · UNS G10430
Pick when a uniform fine pearlitic structure plus cold-finished tolerance is wanted, e.g. before induction hardening or heavy machining.
Values for the NCD condition
Other 1043 tempers and conditions
1043 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 1043.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot rolled | Cheapest form for parts that will be fully machined or subsequently heat treated; scaled surface and loose tolerances. | 305 | 550 | 17 | 156 HB | — |
Solution annealed | Softest condition, chosen for maximum cold formability or for machining deep features before hardening. | 350 | 545 | 26 | 152 HB | — |
Normalized | Refines grain and homogenizes forgings/hot-rolled bar; a good starting point for quench-and-temper or induction hardening. | 390 | 610 | 24 | 175 HB | — |
CDDefault Cold drawn | Most commonly stocked condition: higher strength, bright surface and close size tolerance straight from the bar. | 530 | 620 | 12 | 179 HB | — |
Induction hardened | Use for shafts and pins needing a hard, wear-resistant, compressively stressed surface with a tough unhardened core. | 540 | 640 | 12 | 55 HRC | — |
NCDThis page Normalized and Cold Drawn | Pick when a uniform fine pearlitic structure plus cold-finished tolerance is wanted, e.g. before induction hardening or heavy machining. | 545 | 640 | 12 | 187 HB | — |
quenched and high-temperature tempered | Tough general-purpose hardened condition for shafts and machine parts that still need to be machined after heat treatment. | 640 | 800 | 20 | 24 HRC | — |
quenched and tempered | Standard strengthened condition for pins, spindles and gear blanks; good strength-to-toughness balance in sections up to ~50 mm. | 790 | 950 | 17 | 30 HRC | — |
quenched and low-temperature tempered | Highest practical through-hardened level for wear-loaded small parts; toughness and machinability drop noticeably. | 950 | 1,120 | 14 | 36 HRC | — |
What is 1043-NCD?
1043-NCD is 1043 heat treated to NCD — pick when a uniform fine pearlitic structure plus cold-finished tolerance is wanted, e.g. before induction hardening or heavy machining. 1043-NCD has a yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1043-NCD has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). CD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; NCD is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 82% of steel grades
1043-NCD properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1043-NCD; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1043 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1043-NCD has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
1043-NCD has a yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1043-NCD is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1043-NCD 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 1043-NCD takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
1043-NCD's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability poor (33/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1043-NCD
Is 1043 easy to machine?
Machines well at ~60 % of 1212 with carbide at 120–180 m/min; cold-drawn or normalized-and-cold-drawn bar gives the cleanest chip and best finish, annealed bar tends to smear.
Can 1043 be welded?
Carbon equivalent ≈ 0.55–0.6, so preheat 150–260 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relief or temper to avoid HAZ cracking.
Can 1043 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1200 °C; cold bending and heading are limited — anneal or spheroidize first and use generous bend radii (≥3t).
What surface finishes work on 1043?
No inherent corrosion protection: specify oil, phosphate-and-oil, black oxide, zinc or nickel plating, or paint; grinds and polishes to a good finish after hardening.
1043 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 heat analysis | 0.4 – 0.47 | 0.43 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Pmax, hot-rolled bar (0.030 max for some product forms) | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Smax, non-resulfurized grade | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Sitypical for killed steel; not specified for rimmed/capped | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1043-NCD — frequently asked
What is 1043-NCD used for?
1043-NCD is typically used for machine parts, shafts and fasteners. In short: mid-strength plain-carbon bar; machines at 58 % of 1212; preheat needed for welding.
What is the yield strength of 1043-NCD?
1043-NCD has a typical yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 1043-NCD easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machines well at ~60 % of 1212 with carbide at 120–180 m/min; cold-drawn or normalized-and-cold-drawn bar gives the cleanest chip and best finish, annealed bar tends to smear.
Can 1043-NCD be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Carbon equivalent ≈ 0.55–0.6, so preheat 150–260 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relief or temper to avoid HAZ cracking.
What surface finishes work on 1043-NCD?
No inherent corrosion protection: specify oil, phosphate-and-oil, black oxide, zinc or nickel plating, or paint; grinds and polishes to a good finish after hardening.
Can 1043-NCD be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1200 °C; cold bending and heading are limited — anneal or spheroidize first and use generous bend radii (≥3t).
What is the maximum service temperature of 1043-NCD?
1043-NCD 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 1043-CD and 1043-HR?
CD is the default condition — most commonly stocked condition: higher strength, bright surface and close size tolerance straight from the bar. HR: cheapest form for parts that will be fully machined or subsequently heat treated; scaled surface and loose tolerances. Yield strength is 530 MPa in CD versus 305 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, General Requirements — 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)
- Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. — Industrial Press (2020)
- GB/T 699 — (45 , near-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.