Let Istar help you get started on your project with our experience and know-how!
Upload your design files and production requirements and we will get back to you within 30 minutes!
All About 1018 Steel: The Complete Guide
Are you looking for a steel type that’s both easy to work with and won’t break the bank? 1018 steel might be just what you need! This metal is one of the most common types used in many industries. Let’s dive into what makes it so popular and how you can use it.
Table of Contents
What is 1018 Steel?
1018 steel is a low-carbon steel that contains about 0.18% carbon. This puts it in the “mild steel” family. It’s part of the ASTM A108/SAE-AISI classification system, which helps people identify different steel types.
You can find 1018 steel in two main forms:
- Cold-drawn (smoother finish)
- Hot-rolled (rougher surface)
People pick 1018 steel for three big reasons:
- It’s easy to machine
- It’s easy to weld
- It’s cheap compared to other metals
These benefits make it perfect for many jobs where you don’t need super strong or rust-proof steel.
What’s In 1018 Steel?
The stuff that makes up 1018 steel is pretty simple. Here’s what you’ll find in it:
| Element | Amount |
|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | Base metal |
| Carbon (C) | 0.18% |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.6-0.9% |
| Silicon (Si) | Small trace amount |
| Phosphorus (P) | Small trace amount |
| Sulfur (S) | Small trace amount |
The small amount of carbon makes this steel softer and easier to work with than high-carbon steels. The manganese helps make it stronger without making it harder to shape.
Key Properties of 1018 Steel
When picking a steel type, you need to know how strong, hard, and workable it is. Here are the main traits of 1018 steel:
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 440 MPa | How much pulling force it can take before breaking |
| Yield Strength | 370 MPa | When it starts to deform permanently |
| Elongation | 15% | How much it can stretch before breaking |
| Hardness | 71 HRB | How resistant it is to dents and scratches |
| Machinability | 78% | How easy it is to cut (compared to B-1112 steel) |
These numbers show that 1018 steel is:
- Strong enough for many jobs
- Not too hard to work with
- Capable of bending without breaking right away
Physical Properties
1018 steel has some other important traits:
- It’s magnetic because of its iron content
- Has decent thermal conductivity (can transfer heat)
- Is a ferritic structure steel (refers to its grain pattern)
- Has a density similar to most steels
How 1018 Steel is Made and Processed
Making and working with 1018 steel involves several steps and methods.
Common Forms
You can buy 1018 steel in several shapes:
- Cold-drawn bars (smooth finish)
- Hot-rolled sheets (rougher surface)
- Steel tubing in various diameters
- Flat stock for fabrication
The form you need depends on your project. For projects needing precise sizes, cold-drawn is usually best.
Machining Tips
If you’re cutting or drilling 1018 steel, here are some helpful tips:
- Cutting speed: 130 feet per minute works well
- You can use standard drill bits and cutting tools
- It’s great for CNC milling operations
- Works well for thread milling applications
- Takes well to most machining operations
Heat Treatment Options
You can make 1018 steel harder or easier to work with through heat treatments:
- Carburizing (870-900°C): Adds carbon to the surface to make it harder
- Spheroidized annealing (1200°F): Makes it easier to machine
- Stress relief treatments: Removes internal stresses after machining
After carburizing, you can water-quench the steel to create a hard outer layer while keeping the inside more flexible.
Where 1018 Steel Gets Used
One of the best things about 1018 steel is how many different jobs it can handle. Let’s look at where it shows up most often.
Automotive Industry
In cars and trucks, 1018 steel is used to make:
- Gears
- Shafts
- King pins
- Ratchets
- Threaded components
When making these parts from cold-drawn 1018 steel, companies save about 20% on machining time compared to using 4140 steel.
Industrial Machinery
Factories and workshops use 1018 steel for:
- Pins and fasteners
- Dies for shaping other metals
- Structural parts that need to be strong but not too heavy
- Parts that need precise sizing
These steel CNC machining applications work great with 1018 steel because it’s easy to shape but still strong enough.
Consumer Goods
Even everyday items use 1018 steel:
- Tooling and jigs for manufacturing
- Fixtures and clamps
- Parts for appliances
- Components in sporting goods
Comparing 1018 Steel to Alternatives
To know if 1018 steel is right for your project, it helps to see how it stacks up against other options.
1018 vs. 1008 Steel
Both are low-carbon steels, but there are key differences:
- 1018 steel has more manganese (0.6-0.9% vs. 0.3-0.5%)
- This extra manganese gives 1018 better strength and hardenability
- 1018 responds better to heat treatments
- 1018 costs a bit more but offers better performance
1018 vs. 1020 Steel
These two are very similar, with just slight differences:
- 1020 has slightly more carbon (0.20% vs. 0.18%)
- This tiny bit of extra carbon makes 1020 marginally stronger
- Both have similar machinability
- 1018 is typically more readily available
- Cost difference is minimal
When Not to Use 1018 Steel
While 1018 steel is versatile, it’s not perfect for every job:
- Avoid for corrosive environments – it’s not stainless steel and will rust
- Not ideal for very high-stress applications where stronger alloys would be better
- Not good for high-temperature applications over 900°F
- Not the best for precision instruments that need special properties
For parts that need to resist rust, aluminum CNC machining might be a better choice.
Buying Guide for 1018 Steel
If you’re looking to purchase 1018 steel, here’s what you need to know.
Standards and Certifications
Look for these standards to ensure you’re getting genuine 1018 steel:
- ASTM A108
- SAE J403
- DIN 17210
- JIS G4051
These certifications guarantee the steel meets specific quality requirements.
Supplier Tips
When ordering 1018 steel:
- Clearly specify if you need cold-drawn or hot-rolled
- Ask for mill test reports (MTRs) to verify the chemical composition
- Check for straightness tolerances if critical to your application
- Compare prices from multiple suppliers – costs per ton typically range from $600-$800 for cold-drawn material
- Order extra material for test pieces if doing critical work
Common Questions About 1018 Steel
People often ask these questions about 1018 steel:
Is 1018 steel magnetic?
Yes, 1018 steel is definitely magnetic due to its iron-rich ferritic structure. This makes it useful for applications where magnetism is helpful.
Can 1018 be welded?
Yes, it welds very easily using standard methods like MIG or TIG welding. Light preheating can help with thicker sections, but it’s generally very weldable.
How does 1018 compare to stainless steel?
1018 steel has lower corrosion resistance but better machinability than stainless steel. It’s also significantly cheaper. Stainless contains chromium and nickel that 1018 doesn’t have.
What industries rely most on 1018 steel?
Automotive manufacturing uses about 45% of all 1018 steel, with industrial machinery accounting for another 30%. Consumer goods make up about 15%, with various other applications taking the remaining 10%.
Can you harden 1018 steel?
You can case-harden the surface through carburizing, but the core will remain relatively soft. It cannot be through-hardened like higher carbon steels.
How does 1018 machine compared to other steels?
When used with custom CNC machining, 1018 steel shows 15% longer tool life than 4140 steel. Its cutting speed of 130 feet per minute is much higher than 1045 steel (90 fpm).
Conclusion
1018 steel offers a great mix of affordability, workability, and decent strength for many projects. Its 0.18% carbon content puts it in the sweet spot for general-purpose use where extreme hardness or corrosion resistance isn’t needed.
The key benefits that make 1018 so widely used include:
- Excellent machinability rated at 78% of the standard
- Easy to weld with standard equipment
- Good balance of strength (440 MPa tensile) and ductility (15% elongation)
- Widely available in many forms
- Cost-effective compared to specialty steels
For most general machining applications, precision CNC machining of 1018 steel provides excellent results while keeping costs down.
Whether you’re making automotive components, machinery parts, or everyday items, 1018 steel is often the “just right” choice that balances performance and price.
