Carbon steel is a misleading term -- all steel has carbon in it. Likewise, it’s hard not only to keep track of what’s considered carbon steel, but also which grades possess the qualities your project needs. That’s why we’ve compiled a carbon steel grades chart or two for you.
Use the information below to get the best use out of carbon steel. Despite its shortcomings, it’s got a lot to offer your component!
- RELATED POST: Stainless Steel Grades Chart PDF
Carbon Steel Defined
Carbon steel is an alloy of iron and carbon (shocking, we know). This steel type may also include traces of other elements, like manganese, up to a 1.65% maximum; silicon, with a 0.6% maximum; and copper, up to 0.6%.
Most folks divide this steel type into three levels of carbon content:
- Low-carbon steel (mild steel): Typically consists of 0.04% to 0.3% carbon. Depending on the properties you need, you can opt for a type with a certain element added or increased. (Ex.: In structural steel, carbon and manganese content is higher.)
- Medium-carbon steel: Generally contains between 0.31% and 0.6% carbon, plus 0.06% to 1.65% manganese. Stronger than low-carbon steel, but harder to weld, form, or cut. Often hardened and tempered via heat treatment.
- High-carbon steel: Commonly known as “carbon tool steel.” Typically has a carbon range between 0.61% and 1.5%. Very difficult to bend, weld, or cut. Once heat-treated, it becomes quite hard and brittle.
Carbon Steel Grades Chart PDF: The Most Popular Metals
Here are the most common carbon steel grades, in chart form. If you don’t want to put a lot of effort into your material picking, stick with these common types of tubular steel -- your steel tube manufacturer will know all about them.
|
GRADE |
TRAITS |
USES |
|
12L14 |
Free machining. Lead added to enhance machinability. Addition of lead does, however, reduce tensile strength, although it’s still generally stronger than 1018. Magnetic in all conditions. |
Brake hose ends, pulleys, gear box components, wheel nuts and inserts, disc brake pistons, padlock shackles, control linkages, garbage bin axles, concrete anchors, hydraulic fittings, vice jaws |
|
8620 |
Hard outer surface, combined with a ductile interior for higher strength. |
Gears, crankshafts, gear rings |
|
A36 |
Chemically similar to 1018 but has inferior properties and rougher finish. Most commonly available of the hot-rolled steels. Yield strength also significantly less than 1018 |
Automotive components, cams, fixtures, tanks, forgings and structural applications such as buildings or bridges |
|
A513 (alloy 1020-1026) |
Its higher carbon content means higher strength, but lower weldability and machinability. |
Drawn over mandrel tubing |
|
1008 |
Highest thermal conductivity among wrought plain carbon steels. Can have the lowest tensile strength and moderately high ductility. Excellent weldability. |
Machinery parts, tie rods, relatively low-strength structural applications, mounting plates and brackets |
|
C1010 |
Relatively low strength, but can be quenched and tempered to increase strength at a high cost. Fairly good machinability; good formability and ductility. |
Machinery parts, tie rods, relatively low-strength structural applications, mounting plates and brackets |
|
C1018 |
Most commonly available cold-rolled steel. Has strength, some ductility, and comparative ease of machining. |
Machinery parts, tie rods, relatively low strength structural applications, mounting plates and brackets |
|
C1045 |
For applications in which more strength or higher hardness than that of 1008 or 1010 is required. |
Bolts, gears, crank shafts, cylinder shafts, die forges |
|
C1141 |
For applications similar to those of 1045, but machinability is very important. |
Pins, studs, bolts, shafts, tie rods |
|
C1144 |
Higher strength than 1018 or A36, but in addition has improved ductility. Very low distortion or warping after machining due to a combination of its chemistry, method of manufacture, and heat treatment. Relatively easy to machine. |
Pins, studs, bolts, shafts, tie rods, applications similar to those of 1045 when machinability is very important |
Carbon Steel Grades Chart: Best of the Rest
You’re probably wondering what all these intimidating numbers mean.
#1: General Grouping
In general, the first number of each grade depicts a general category of steels. They are:
- 1XXXX: Simple carbon steel
- 4XXXX: molybdenum steel
- 5XXXX: chromium steel
- 6XXXX: chrome-vanadium steel
- 8XXXX: nickel-chromium-molybdenum steel
- 9XXXX: silicon-manganese steel
Here's a more detailed look, in chart form, at what these categories look like. You can download the full, printer-friendly PDF version here or by clicking on the image. Feel free to save it, download it, or share it with your engineering team.
#2 Elemental Attributes
The second number indicates the presence of elements that affect the steel’s traits.
For example, the zero in a 10XX grade indicates there are no major secondary elements, such as sulfur, inside. Why would this matter? Sulfur, lead, and other elements in steel can increase machinability. Yet they can also cause pockets or other faults that can hamper some applications.
#3 and #4: Carbon Content
The last two characters represent the steel’s carbon content.
A piece of 1018 steel contains 0.18% carbon. Note that standards will actually show an allowable carbon range of 0.15-0.20% for this grade. That’s because it’s impossible for steel makers to control carbon and alloy contents with flawless precision.
Need More Help Optimizing Your Project?
We get it. There’s a lot to consider when choosing a material for your component -- even if price is your chief concern. Carbon steel can work beautifully for projects that need to be cost-effective, but there’s more to it than just grabbing a cheap metal for steel tube forming.
If you’re still lost in the woods on how to maximize your company’s dollars, read up on steel costs and how they affect your supply chain.
(Editor's Note: This article was originally published in November 2017 and was recently updated.)
