Steel 1090
AISI/SAE 1090 · UNS G10900 · EN 1.1273 · GB 90
1090 is a plain high-carbon steel at about 0.85–0.98 % C (UNS G10900; also listed as 1.1273, SK85 and T8), rolled to strip and drawn to wire and supplied hot rolled, cold rolled, annealed, normalized, spheroidized–cold drawn, or quenched and tempered to 45–50 or 55–60 HRC.
Values for the HR condition
1090 tempers and conditions
1090 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
spheroidize/full annealed, softest condition | Choose for maximum machinability and cold formability before hardening. | 380 | 655 | 18 | 192 HB | — |
austenitized ~830–870 °C, air cooled | Use to refine and homogenise the as-rolled structure before hardening or machining of larger sections. | 500 | 1,000 | 10 | 31 HRC | 9 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Default stock condition for bar, plate and coil; machine or heat-treat afterwards. | 580 | 965 | 10 | 30 HRC | 9 % IACS |
Spheroidized Annealed + Cold Drawn | Spheroidize-annealed to globular carbides for cold workability, then cold drawn — moderate strength with better ductility and machinability than pearlitic cold-drawn 1090. | 620 | 745 | 10 | 217 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
Cold rolled | Pick for strip, close-tolerance bar and better surface where extra strength and low ductility are acceptable. | 830 | 1,035 | 7 | 32 HRC | 9 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | General hardened-and-tempered condition for springs and high-strength wear parts needing some toughness. | 900 | 1,300 | 8 | 42 HRC | — |
Quenched, tempered ~300–350 °C | Wear-resistant spring/blade temper balancing hardness with acceptable fatigue strength. | 1,200 | 1,550 | 5 | 48 HRC | — |
Quenched, low temper 150–200 °C | Maximum hardness/edge retention for blades, saws and wear strips; brittle, avoid shock and notches. | 1,650 | 2,000 | 2 | 58 HRC | — |
What is 1090?
1090 is a plain high-carbon steel at about 0.85–0.98 % C (UNS G10900; also listed as 1.1273, SK85 and T8), rolled to strip and drawn to wire and supplied hot rolled, cold rolled, annealed, normalized, spheroidized–cold drawn, or quenched and tempered to 45–50 or 55–60 HRC. It is used where high as-quenched hardness and spring temper matter, mainly in wire, strip and blade blanks. Normalized stock runs about 580 MPa yield, 965 MPa tensile, 10 % elongation and 285 HB. It has no corrosion resistance, formability is limited (score 25) and it is effectively unweldable; 1075 gives more toughness at slightly lower hardness. 1090 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F). 1090 has a yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 965 MPa (140 ksi) — stronger than 75% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is 1090 used for?
- Music wire
- Springs
- Knife blanks
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
- High strength — 580 MPa (84.1 ksi), better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 30 MPa·√m (27.3 ksi·√in), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
1090 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1090-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1090 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F).
Mechanical16
1090 has a yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 965 MPa (140 ksi) — stronger than 75% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1090 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 47 W/m·K (27.2 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 75% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.3 µm/m·K (6.28 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1090 conducts electricity at 9 % IACS, better than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1090 takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 28%.
Manufacturability7
1090's machinability is fair (38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability poor (25/100).
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. 1090 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1090
Is 1090 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed/spheroidized state with rigid setups, low speeds and carbide or coated carbide; hardened 1090 needs grinding or ceramic/CBN turning.
Can 1090 be welded?
Essentially not recommended — preheat 250–300 °C, low-hydrogen filler and immediate post-weld temper are mandatory to avoid quench cracking.
Can 1090 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form only when annealed and with generous radii; otherwise hot work 850–1100 °C and slow cool, then normalize before hardening.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 1090. Every 1090 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair38 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 220 / 260 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair25 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Poor15 / 100 |
1090 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CGB 90 steel: 0.85–0.95 | 0.85 – 0.98 | 0.91 |
| MnGB 90 steel uses 0.50–0.80 | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| Sitypical for killed product; not specified in AISI 10xx bar chemistry | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1090?
No anodizing; protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, paint or zinc/Ni plating (bake after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement of hardened parts).
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).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 1090 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G10900
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.1273
- GB (China)
- 90
- Similar grades
- SK85T8
How much does 1090 cost?
1090 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 80% 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.
1090 — frequently asked
What is 1090 used for?
1090 is typically used for music wire, springs and knife blanks. In short: high-carbon spring sheet.
What is the yield strength of 1090?
1090 has a typical yield strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 965 MPa (140 ksi) — stronger than 75% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 1090 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed/spheroidized state with rigid setups, low speeds and carbide or coated carbide; hardened 1090 needs grinding or ceramic/CBN turning.
Can 1090 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Essentially not recommended — preheat 250–300 °C, low-hydrogen filler and immediate post-weld temper are mandatory to avoid quench cracking.
What surface finishes work on 1090?
No anodizing; protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, paint or zinc/Ni plating (bake after plating to avoid hydrogen embrittlement of hardened parts).
Can 1090 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form only when annealed and with generous radii; otherwise hot work 850–1100 °C and slow cool, then normalize before hardening.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1090?
1090 is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1090-HR and 1090-CR?
HR is the default condition — default stock condition for bar, plate and coil; machine or heat-treat afterwards. CR: pick for strip, close-tolerance bar and better surface where extra strength and low ductility are acceptable. Yield strength is 580 MPa in HR versus 830 MPa in CR.
How much does 1090 cost?
1090 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 80% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1090?
Yes — 1090 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements — ASTM (2020)
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- GB/T 699 — Quality Carbon Structural Steels — SAC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating — ASM International (1991)
- Mysteel / SMM (2026)
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.