Steel Ingot Iron
ASTM A867 · GB DT4 · also ARMCO Ingot Iron
Ingot Iron is commercially pure iron (>99.85 % Fe) with very low carbon, supplied under A867 and also known as ARMCO Ingot Iron or DT4, and specified for high magnetic permeability and maximum ductility rather than strength.
Reference datasheet — Ingot Iron is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the Annealed condition
Ingot Iron tempers and conditions
Ingot Iron is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
850–950 °C, controlled slow cool | Choose for finished electromagnet cores and relay parts needing lowest coercivity and highest permeability after machining. | 130 | 260 | 48 | 65 HB | 17.6 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault full anneal ~850–900 °C, slow cool | Standard stocked condition for magnetic cores, poles and deep-drawn parts; softest mechanically with good permeability. | 150 | 275 | 45 | 70 HB | 78 W/m·K |
~900 °C, air cool | Uniform fine-grained structure for heavier sections where a full magnetic anneal is not required. | 170 | 295 | 40 | 80 HB | 17.3 % IACS |
as-rolled plate, bar and coil | Lowest-cost mill condition for weldments and parts that will be annealed after fabrication. | 185 | 310 | 35 | 85 HB | 17.2 % IACS |
Cold Drawn / cold rolled ~1/4–1/2 hard | Pick for straight, close-tolerance bar and shafts where higher strength and better surface finish matter more than magnetic quality. | 320 | 380 | 15 | 110 HB | 74 W/m·K |
heavily cold rolled strip/wire | Only for stiff springy strip, wire and shims; magnetic softness is lost and ductility is minimal. | 410 | 460 | 6 | 135 HB | 16.8 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways Ingot Iron is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Ingot | Ingot / remelt stock | Supply form |
What is Ingot Iron?
Ingot Iron is commercially pure iron (>99.85 % Fe) with very low carbon, supplied under A867 and also known as ARMCO Ingot Iron or DT4, and specified for high magnetic permeability and maximum ductility rather than strength. Annealed stock runs about 150 MPa yield, 275 MPa tensile, 45 % elongation and 70 HB (28 HRB), with 78 W/m·K thermal conductivity and a formability score of 95; forms include sheet, strip, bar, wire and ingot in annealed, magnetic-anneal, normalized, hot-rolled, cold-drawn and full-hard conditions. It has no corrosion resistance and cuts poorly (machinability 45). Where magnetic softness is not required, low-carbon 1008/1010 sheet is cheaper and easier to machine. Ingot Iron has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,535°C (2,795 °F). Ingot Iron has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is Ingot Iron used for?
- Magnetic pole pieces and cores
- Electromagnet cores
- Chemical/corrosion test coupons
- Enameling stock
- Welding electrode cores
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 45%, better than 100% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 78 W/m·K (45.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 17.5 % IACS, better than 100% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 150 MPa (21.8 ksi), worse than 100% of steel grades
Ingot Iron properties
Typical room-temperature values for Ingot Iron-Annealed; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
Ingot Iron has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,535°C (2,795 °F).
Mechanical16
Ingot Iron has a yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 100% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 45% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
Ingot Iron is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 78 W/m·K (45.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Ingot Iron conducts electricity at 17.5 % IACS, better than 100% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Ingot Iron takes about 28 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 15%.
Manufacturability8
Ingot Iron's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (95/100).
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. Ingot Iron is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Ingot Iron
Is Ingot Iron easy to machine?
Very gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and light finishing passes to avoid built-up edge and tearing; chip breaking is poor.
Can Ingot Iron be welded?
Excellent by any process (GTAW, GMAW, resistance, EB); no preheat or PWHT needed for hardness, but re-anneal welded magnetic cores to restore permeability.
Can Ingot Iron be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — deep drawing, spinning, cold heading and severe bending all practical; expect low springback and stick-slip galling, so lubricate well.
Ingot Iron 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C≤0.010 % typical for hydrogen-annealed magnetic grades | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| SiARMCO-type ingot iron typically <0.01 % | ≤ 0.3 | 0.02 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.4 | 0.05 |
| P | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Alresidual from deoxidation | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Fe≥99.8 %, commonly 99.85–99.95 % | balance |
What surface finishes work on Ingot Iron?
Rusts quickly bare: zinc/nickel plate, phosphate + oil, or paint; polishes to a bright but soft, easily scratched surface; not anodizable.
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel Ingot Iron in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- ASTM
- A867
- GB (China)
- DT4
- Trade names
- ARMCO Ingot Iron
How much does Ingot Iron cost?
Ingot Iron is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Ingot Iron — frequently asked
What is Ingot Iron used for?
Ingot Iron is typically used for magnetic pole pieces and cores, electromagnet cores, chemical/corrosion test coupons, enameling stock and welding electrode cores. In short: magnetically softest iron stock; best cold formability; lowest-carbon iron grade.
What is the yield strength of Ingot Iron?
Ingot Iron has a typical yield strength of 150 MPa (21.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 275 MPa (39.9 ksi) — weaker than 100% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is Ingot Iron easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Very gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and light finishing passes to avoid built-up edge and tearing; chip breaking is poor.
Can Ingot Iron be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent by any process (GTAW, GMAW, resistance, EB); no preheat or PWHT needed for hardness, but re-anneal welded magnetic cores to restore permeability.
What surface finishes work on Ingot Iron?
Rusts quickly bare: zinc/nickel plate, phosphate + oil, or paint; polishes to a bright but soft, easily scratched surface; not anodizable.
Can Ingot Iron be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — deep drawing, spinning, cold heading and severe bending all practical; expect low springback and stick-slip galling, so lubricate well.
What is the maximum service temperature of Ingot Iron?
Ingot Iron is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Ingot Iron cost?
Ingot Iron is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
Sources
- GB/T 6983 — SAC (2008)
- ASTM A848 Standard Specification for Low-Carbon Magnetic Iron — ASTM (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13A — Corrosion: Fundamentals, Testing, and Protection — ASM International (2003)
- ASM Metals Reference Book, 3rd ed. — ASM International (1993)
- Commercially pure / magnetic iron bar and strip datasheets — AK Steel / Ed Fagan / · (2022)
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.