Steel 1046-IH (Induction hardened)
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 1046 · UNS G10460
Use where a wear-resistant 55–60 HRC case on a tough core is needed (journals, gear teeth, splines).
Values for the IH condition
Other 1046 tempers and conditions
1046 is listed in 10 conditions; see the grade overview at 1046.
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize Annealed | Best condition for cold heading, upsetting or deep machining of this carbon level. | 300 | 540 | 24 | 150 HB | 11 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Cheapest stock form for parts that will be machined all over or subsequently heat treated. | 310 | 586 | 15 | 170 HB | — |
Solution annealed | Softest condition, used before heavy machining, cold forming or as a stress-relieved starting state. | 310 | 570 | 20 | 163 HB | — |
Normalized | Uniform fine ferrite–pearlite for forgings and pre-machining refinement; better toughness than as-rolled. | 375 | 640 | 17 | 11 HRC | 10.5 % IACS |
Annealed and Cold Drawn | Pick when cold-drawn tolerance is wanted but with softer, lower-residual-stress bar for heavy machining or further cold work. | 495 | 600 | 15 | 179 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Choose for accurate size, bright surface and higher yield strength on as-supplied shafting. | 565 | 655 | 12 | 187 HB | — |
quenched and high-temperature tempered (~620 °C) | Tough, readily machinable condition for general shafts and moderately loaded machine parts. | 620 | 800 | 20 | 24 HRC | — |
IHThis page Induction hardened | Use where a wear-resistant 55–60 HRC case on a tough core is needed (journals, gear teeth, splines). | 700 | 900 | 14 | 57 HRC | — |
quenched and tempered (~540 °C) | Standard duty condition for shafts, spindles and gear blanks needing strength with useful toughness. | 800 | 965 | 16 | 30 HRC | — |
quenched and tempered (~425 °C) | High-strength condition for heavily loaded pins and shafts; toughness and machinability begin to fall off. | 980 | 1,140 | 13 | 36 HRC | — |
What is 1046-IH?
1046-IH is 1046 heat treated to IH — use where a wear-resistant 55–60 HRC case on a tough core is needed (journals, gear teeth, splines). 1046-IH has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1046-IH 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; IH is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 10.5 % IACS, 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 strength — 700 MPa (102 ksi), better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 10/100, 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 — 50 MPa·√m (45.5 ksi·√in), worse than 86% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 75% of steel grades
1046-IH properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1046-IH; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1046 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1046-IH 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
1046-IH has a yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1046-IH is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1046-IH conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1046-IH takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
1046-IH's machinability is poor (15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (10/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1046-IH
Is 1046 easy to machine?
Machines best at 170–250 HB (annealed/normalized/CD) with carbide tooling and coolant; above 32 HRC use rigid setups and reduced speed, or machine before final temper.
Can 1046 be welded?
Carbon equivalent ~0.6 — preheat 150–260 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relief/temper to avoid HAZ martensite cracking.
Can 1046 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1230 °C then normalize; cold bending is limited — spheroidize anneal first and use generous bend radii.
What surface finishes work on 1046?
No inherent corrosion protection: phosphate + oil, zinc/chrome plating, black oxide or paint; grinds and polishes well after hardening but requires bake-out after plating to prevent hydrogen embrittlement at high hardness.
1046 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 1046, ASTM A29 | 0.43 – 0.5 | 0.46 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Pmax for bar/billet | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Smax, non-resulfurized | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Sitypical for killed steel; not specified in SAE 10xx chemical limits | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1046-IH — frequently asked
What is 1046-IH used for?
1046-IH is typically used for shafts, axles, gears, machine parts and bolts. In short: higher carbon than 1045; C45 / 1.0503 equivalent; hardens to 34–38 HRC.
What is the yield strength of 1046-IH?
1046-IH has a typical yield strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 81% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 1046-IH easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades). Machines best at 170–250 HB (annealed/normalized/CD) with carbide tooling and coolant; above 32 HRC use rigid setups and reduced speed, or machine before final temper.
Can 1046-IH be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (10/100). Carbon equivalent ~0.6 — preheat 150–260 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relief/temper to avoid HAZ martensite cracking.
What surface finishes work on 1046-IH?
No inherent corrosion protection: phosphate + oil, zinc/chrome plating, black oxide or paint; grinds and polishes well after hardening but requires bake-out after plating to prevent hydrogen embrittlement at high hardness.
Can 1046-IH be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1230 °C then normalize; cold bending is limited — spheroidize anneal first and use generous bend radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1046-IH?
1046-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 1046-HR and 1046-IH?
HR is the default condition — cheapest stock form for parts that will be machined all over or subsequently heat treated. IH: use where a wear-resistant 55–60 HRC case on a tough core is needed (journals, gear teeth, splines). Yield strength is 310 MPa in HR versus 700 MPa in IH.
Sources
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- EN 10083-2 — Quenched and tempered steels: C45 / 1.0503 — CEN (2006)
- 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)
- 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.