Steel 1095
AISI/SAE 1095 · UNS G10950 · EN C95, 1.1274 · JIS SUP4 · GB 95
1095 is a plain high-carbon spring steel (about 0.95 % C, UNS G10950; SUP4, 1.1274, C100S, SK95 and T10 equivalents), the highest-carbon grade of the AISI/SAE 10xx series; it quenches to 65 HRC and, after tempering, combines high strength with good elasticity.
Values for the Annealed condition
1095 tempers and conditions
1095 is supplied in 10 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
- Spheroidized
- Annealed
- Normalized
- Q&T 650C
- Hot Rolled
- Q&T 540C
- Cold Drawn
- Blue Tempered Spring
- Hardened & Tempered
- As-Quenched
Compare all 10 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
spheroidal carbide structure | Choose for maximum cold formability/deep drawing of strip and for the best machined finish before hardening. | 370 | 620 | 20 | 180 HB | 9.8 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault full/soft anneal (~790 °C, furnace cool) | Softest supply condition for machining, blanking and subsequent hardening — the usual stock form for bar and knife-blade plate. | 380 | 655 | 13 | 192 HB | — |
900 °C, air cooled | Use to homogenize forgings and refine grain before hardening; fine pearlite gives higher strength than annealed. | 500 | 1,010 | 9.5 | 31 HRC | 9.6 % IACS |
quenched and tempered at 650 °C (~269 HB) | Softest tempered condition — highest ductility, used where machining after heat treatment is required. | 552 | 896 | 21 | 27 HRC | 9.4 % IACS |
as-rolled bar/plate | Lowest-cost mill condition for parts that will be re-heat-treated; hard, scaly surface and coarse pearlite. | 570 | 965 | 9 | 31 HRC | 9.6 % IACS |
quenched and tempered at 540 °C (~321 HB) | Tougher medium-hardness condition for shafts, chisels and impact-loaded high-carbon parts. | 676 | 1,090 | 15 | 34 HRC | 9.2 % IACS |
cold drawn bar/wire (annealed then drawn) | Pick for straight, close-tolerance bar and high-strength wire where no further heat treatment is planned. | 760 | 900 | 8 | 27 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
Blue Tempered / Hard Rolled Spring Strip (44–51 HRC) | Pre-hardened, ready-to-form spring strip for clips, shims, feeler gauges and flat springs — no post heat treatment needed. | 1,450 | 1,650 | 3 | 48 HRC | 9 % IACS |
quench + low temper 175–205 °C (58–62 HRC) | Standard blade/cutting-edge condition: near-maximum hardness with just enough tempering to relieve quench stresses. | 1,500 | 1,900 | 2 | 60 HRC | — |
800 °C austenitize, water/brine quench, untempered | Maximum hardness intermediate state only — untempered martensite is brittle and must be tempered before service. | 1,800 | 2,200 | 0.5 | 65 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
What is 1095?
1095 is a plain high-carbon spring steel (about 0.95 % C, UNS G10950; SUP4, 1.1274, C100S, SK95 and T10 equivalents), the highest-carbon grade of the AISI/SAE 10xx series; it quenches to 65 HRC and, after tempering, combines high strength with good elasticity. Typical forms are blue-tempered spring strip, annealed or cold-drawn bar and Q&T stock for saw blades, knife blanks, dies and agricultural blades. Hardenability is low, so thin sections and a water or fast oil quench are needed; toughness and weldability are poor and there is no corrosion resistance, so oiling or plating is required. 1084 is easier to heat treat. 1095 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). 1095 has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is 1095 used for?
- Spring clips
- Blades
- Cutting tools
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 9.6 % IACS, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 13%, worse than 78% of steel grades
1095 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1095-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1095 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).
Mechanical15
1095 has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 13% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1095 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 46.7 W/m·K (27 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 74% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.4 µm/m·K (6.33 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1095 conducts electricity at 9.6 % IACS, better than 78% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (8/100), worse than 99% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1095 takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
1095's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); 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. 1095 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1095
Is 1095 easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed or spheroidized state with sharp carbide/HSS tools and generous coolant; hardened 1095 above ~50 HRC needs grinding or EDM.
Can 1095 be welded?
Poor weldability (CE ≈ 1.0) — expect martensite and cracking; if unavoidable, preheat 260–320 °C, use low-hydrogen or austenitic filler and temper immediately after.
Can 1095 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form only in annealed/spheroidized condition with generous bend radii; hot forge 900–1150 °C and always slow-cool or anneal to avoid quench cracks.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 1095. Every 1095 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair45 / 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 | Fair40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Fair15 / 100 |
1095 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 | 0.9 – 1.03 | 0.96 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Sitypical for killed steel; not specified in SAE J403 | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1095?
No inherent corrosion resistance — protect with oil, bluing/black oxide, phosphate, zinc plating or paint; takes a fine polish and holds a sharp ground edge.
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 1095 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 1095 cost?
1095 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 62% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
1095 — frequently asked
What is 1095 used for?
1095 is typically used for spring clips, blades and cutting tools. In short: maximum hardness spring steel.
What is the yield strength of 1095?
1095 has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is 1095 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed or spheroidized state with sharp carbide/HSS tools and generous coolant; hardened 1095 above ~50 HRC needs grinding or EDM.
Can 1095 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Poor weldability (CE ≈ 1.0) — expect martensite and cracking; if unavoidable, preheat 260–320 °C, use low-hydrogen or austenitic filler and temper immediately after.
What surface finishes work on 1095?
No inherent corrosion resistance — protect with oil, bluing/black oxide, phosphate, zinc plating or paint; takes a fine polish and holds a sharp ground edge.
Can 1095 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form only in annealed/spheroidized condition with generous bend radii; hot forge 900–1150 °C and always slow-cool or anneal to avoid quench cracks.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1095?
1095 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 1095 cost?
1095 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 62% 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 1095?
Yes — 1095 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
- SAE J403 – Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A29/A29M – Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A684 – High-Carbon Cold-Rolled Steel Strip — ASTM (2021)
- 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 / GB/T 1298 (T10A) — SAC (2015)
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.