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Grade 1018 is one of the most popular general-purpose steels in engineering. With only around 0.18% carbon, it is soft enough to cut quickly and cleanly, yet strong enough for brackets, plates, spacers, pins and many other everyday components.
Joining it is straightforward with almost any welding process, and it bends and forms without fuss. For parts that need a harder skin, such as gears or pins, case hardening adds a wear-resistant surface while the centre stays tough. Exact strength varies with how the bar was produced.
We machine 1018 on CNC mills and lathes, and parts leave the machine with a clean metallic finish showing fine tool marks. Bare steel will rust quickly, so we suggest zinc plating, black oxide, paint or a light oil film to keep parts protected.
Material
Mild Steel 1018
Description
Strengths
Lead time 10 business days. Easy to machine and weld, with a good mix of strength, toughness and ductility. Ideal for case-hardened parts.
Weaknesses
Rusts easily without a finish
Silver grey
Ultimate tensile strength
440 MPa
Yield strength
400 MPa
Modulus of elasticity
205 GPa
Elongation at break
15%
Density
7.87 g/cm³
Hardness
76 HRB
Shear modulus
80 GPa
Corrosion resistance
Low
UK equivalent
EN32 / 070M20
Maximum service temperature
Not specified
Thermal expansion coefficient
11.5–12 × 10⁻⁶ /°C
Thermal conductivity
Not specified
Electrical resistivity
Not specified
Post-processing
Carburising (case hardening)
Recommended finish
Coating, plating or oil
Wear-resistant industrial parts
Gears, worms, pinions & ratchets
Pins, dowels, tool holders & die sets
Fixtures, mounting plates & spacers
Values shown are typical supplier figures for Mild Steel 1018 and may vary with stock condition. Please confirm critical properties before production.
Yes. 1018 (EN32) is a low-carbon steel that machines and welds easily and gives a good surface finish, making it an economical choice for general parts.
1018 is stable and predictable to machine, so it suits fixtures, plates and turned parts with precise features. Achievable tolerances depend on part size, geometry and features, so mark any critical tolerances on a 2D drawing with your upload and they will be reviewed and confirmed in your quote.
Yes. 1018 is well suited to carburising (case hardening), which gives a hard, wear-resistant surface over a tough core. It needs a protective finish such as plating, coating or oil because it rusts easily.
Typical uses include wear-resistant industrial parts after case hardening, gears, worms, pinions and ratchets, pins, dowels and tool holders, and fixtures, mounting plates and spacers.
Choose 1018 for easy machining, welding and case-hardened parts. Choose 1045 (EN8) when you need higher strength and impact resistance in the core. For very high-volume turned parts, 1215 (EN1A) is faster to machine.
The typical lead time shown for mild steel 1018 is 10 business days from an approved order. Quantity, finishing and any heat treatment can affect this, and your quote confirms the date before you order.
Parts in as fast as 10 business days
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