SAE 1018/AISI 1018 CARBON STEEL

AISI 1018 is low-carbon steel with anywhere from 0.6% to 0.9% manganese and trace amounts of other elements, making it ideal for many automotive and machinery parts. This type of steel used in the cold drawn or “turned and polished” condition has an enhanced yield and tensile strength and improved machinability compared to its hot rolled or regular AISI 1010 counterpart. It also has excellent weldability, allowing it to be easily connected with various strong joints and welding techniques. Due to its incredible versatility, SAE / AISI 1018 steel is found in many tools and equipment for industrial applications, ranging from construction vehicles to smaller components such as screws and nuts.

Available Types & Range

Form of Supply Size(mm) Length(mm)
Round bar Φ 16 -Φ 200 Standard or As your request
Forged Rounds ∅140 –  ∅ 670 Standard or As your request
Plate/Sheet Thickness :6 – 300
Width: 1,250 – 2500
Standard or As your request
Forged flate/Blcoks Thickness : 50  – 300
Width: 65  – 450
Standard or As your request

Chemical Composition & Technical Specification – SAE-1018

Chemical composition(%) of  SAE 1018
Element C% Si% Mn S P Fe
Content 0.15-0.20 ≤0.05 0.60-0.90 ≤0.05 ≤0.045 Balance

Physical Properties

Physical Properties Metric Imperial
Density 7.87 g/cc 0.284 lb/in3

Mechanical Properties

Mechanical Properties Metric Imperial
Hardness, Brinell 126 126
Hardness, Knoop (Converted from Brinell hardness) 145 145
Hardness, Rockwell B (Converted from Brinell hardness) 71 71
Hardness, Vickers (Converted from Brinell hardness) 131 131
Tensile Strength, Ultimate 440 MPa 63800 psi
Tensile Strength, Yield 370 MPa 53700 psi
Elongation at Break (In 50 mm) 15.0 % 15.0 %
Reduction of Area 40.0 % 40.0 %
Modulus of Elasticity (Typical for steel) 205 GPa 29700 ksi
Bulk Modulus (Typical for steel) 140 GPa 20300 ksi
Poissons Ratio (Typical For Steel) 0.290 0.290
Machinability (Based on AISI 1212 steel. as 100% machinability) 70 % 70 %
Shear Modulus (Typical for steel) 80.0 GPa 1160

Weldability

AISI 1018 mild/low carbon steel can be instantly welded by all the conventional welding processes. Welding is not recommended for AISI 1018 mild/low carbon steel when it is carbonitrided and carburized.

Low carbon welding electrodes are used in the welding procedure. Post-heating and pre-heating are not necessary, although pre-heating can be performed for sections over 50 mm. Post-weld stress-relieving also has benefits, like the pre-heating process.

Heat Treatment

The heat treatment for AISI 1018 mild/low carbon steel consists of the following processes:

  • Normalizing – AISI 1018 mild/low carbon steel should be heated at 890°C – 940°C and then cooled in still air.
  • Forging – This process requires heating at 1150°C – 1280°C and AISI 1018 mild/low carbon steel is held until the temperature becomes constant. 900°C is the minimum temperature required for the forging process. The steel is cooled in air after this process.
  • Tempering – AISI 1018 mild/low carbon steel is tempered at 150°C – 200°C to improve case toughness. This process has little or no effect on hardness. Grinding cracks are reduced when AISI 1018 mild/low carbon steel is tempered.
  • Annealing – The AISI 1018 mild/low carbon steel is heated at 870°C – 910°C and allowed to cool in a furnace.
  • Stress Relieving – A temperature of 500°C – 700°C is required to relieve stress in AISI 1018 mild/low carbon steel that is later cooled down in still air.
  • Case Hardening – This process requires heating to be carried out between 780°C – 820°C. AISI 1018 mild/low carbon steel is then quenched in water.
  • Core Refining – This is an optional process that requires heating at 880°C – 920°C. After being heated, AISI 1018 mild/low carbon steel is moistened in oil or water.
  • Carburizing – This process takes place at 880°C – 920°C for AISI 1018 mild/low carbon steel. It is used in bending, crimping and swaging processes and is widely used for fixtures, mounting plates and spacers and in applications that do not need high alloy steel and high carbon strength. Carburized parts that include worms, gears, pins, dowels, non-critical components of tool and die sets, tool holders, pinions, machine parts, ratchets, dowels and chain pins use AISI 1018 mild/low carbon steel.

Carburized steel provides high surface hardness and a soft core to parts that include worms, dogs, pins, liners, machinery parts, special bolts, ratchets, chain pins, oil tool slips, tie rods, anchor pins, studs etc. It is used to improve drilling, machining, threading and punching processes and prevent cracking in severe bends.