Steel 1116 CARB-QT
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 1116 · UNS G11160
CARB-QT = carburized, quenched & low-temper
Chosen when the machined part also needs a wear-resistant 0.4–1.0 mm case, e.g. pins, bushings, small gears.
Values for the CARB-QT condition
Other 1116 tempers and conditions
1116 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 1116.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot rolled | Cheapest form for large-diameter parts that will be fully machined or later carburized. | 235 | 425 | 30 | 121 HB | — |
Solution annealed | Softest, most ductile state for cold heading, deep bending or before carburizing. | 250 | 415 | 33 | 116 HB | — |
Normalized | Use to homogenize forged or heavily worked blanks and give uniform grain before case hardening. | 270 | 450 | 30 | 131 HB | 10 % IACS |
Cold drawn, stress relieved | Pick when long slender turned parts must stay straight after heavy asymmetric machining. | 370 | 470 | 23 | 137 HB | 10 % IACS |
CDDefault Cold drawn | The standard stocked condition: close tolerance, bright finish and best chip control for automatic screw machines. | 415 | 490 | 20 | 143 HB | — |
CARB-QTThis page Carburized, quenched & low-temper | Chosen when the machined part also needs a wear-resistant 0.4–1.0 mm case, e.g. pins, bushings, small gears. | 420 | 620 | 15 | 60 HRC | — |
What is 1116 CARB-QT?
1116 CARB-QT is 1116 heat treated to CARB-QT — chosen when the machined part also needs a wear-resistant 0.4–1.0 mm case, e.g. pins, bushings, small gears. 1116 CARB-QT has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1116 CARB-QT 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). CD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CARB-QT is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- 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
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 65 MPa·√m (59.2 ksi·√in), worse than 75% of steel grades
1116 CARB-QT properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1116 CARB-QT; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1116 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1116 CARB-QT 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
1116 CARB-QT has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1116 CARB-QT 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
1116 CARB-QT 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 1116 CARB-QT takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
1116 CARB-QT's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1116 CARB-QT
Is 1116 easy to machine?
Excellent free-machining behaviour — MnS breaks chips and lubricates the tool; run high speeds with light feeds and keep cutting fluid off the sulfide-rich surface only for finishing.
Can 1116 be welded?
Poor by carbon-steel standards: the 0.16–0.23 % S promotes hot cracking and porosity, so limit to low-stress tacks with low-hydrogen or high-Mn filler and preheat thicker sections.
Can 1116 be formed, bent or molded?
Fine for light cold heading and mild bends in the annealed/hot-rolled state; avoid tight transverse bends because sulfide stringers open up.
What surface finishes work on 1116?
Not anodizable — protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate or zinc/nickel plating; inclusions can leave micro-pits after bright plating or high polish.
1116 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 resulfurized grade | 0.14 – 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Mnhigh Mn ties up S as MnS | 1.1 – 1.4 | 1.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Sfree-machining addition | 0.16 – 0.23 | 0.2 |
| Sinot specified for resulfurized bar unless ordered killed | — | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
1116 CARB-QT — frequently asked
What is 1116 CARB-QT used for?
1116 CARB-QT is typically used for gears, shafts and bushings. In short: free-machining carburizing grade; 20% elongation at 143 HB; limited weldability.
What is the yield strength of 1116 CARB-QT?
1116 CARB-QT has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1116 CARB-QT easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades). Excellent free-machining behaviour — MnS breaks chips and lubricates the tool; run high speeds with light feeds and keep cutting fluid off the sulfide-rich surface only for finishing.
Can 1116 CARB-QT be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Poor by carbon-steel standards: the 0.16–0.23 % S promotes hot cracking and porosity, so limit to low-stress tacks with low-hydrogen or high-Mn filler and preheat thicker sections.
What surface finishes work on 1116 CARB-QT?
Not anodizable — protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate or zinc/nickel plating; inclusions can leave micro-pits after bright plating or high polish.
Can 1116 CARB-QT be formed, bent or molded?
Fine for light cold heading and mild bends in the annealed/hot-rolled state; avoid tight transverse bends because sulfide stringers open up.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1116 CARB-QT?
1116 CARB-QT 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 1116-CD and 1116-HR?
CD is the default condition — the standard stocked condition: close tolerance, bright finish and best chip control for automatic screw machines. HR: cheapest form for large-diameter parts that will be fully machined or later carburized. Yield strength is 415 MPa in CD versus 235 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. 16 — Machining (free-machining steel ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- GB/T 8731 (Y15Mn/Y20Mn near-equivalents) — SAC (2008)
- Mysteel / 1688 — Mysteel (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.