Select a suitable carbon steel grade based on application, strength, hardness, weldability, machinability, forming and heat-treatment requirements.
Enter your requirements and click Select Carbon Steel Grades.
Recommendations will appear here.
| Grade | Carbon range | General character | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1010 | ~0.08–0.13% | Very low carbon, highly formable | Sheet, formed parts, light fabrication |
| 1018 | ~0.15–0.20% | Low-carbon, weldable and machinable | General machine parts, shafts, fabrication |
| 1020 | ~0.18–0.23% | Low-carbon engineering steel | General components, shafts, welded parts |
| 1045 | ~0.43–0.50% | Medium-carbon, higher strength and hardness | Shafts, gears, pins, machine parts |
| 1050 | ~0.48–0.55% | Medium/high-carbon, harder than 1045 | Wear parts, shafts, machine components |
| 1060 | ~0.55–0.65% | High-carbon, high hardness potential | Springs, blades and wear applications |
| 1095 | ~0.90–1.03% | High-carbon, high hardness potential | Springs, blades and high-wear parts |
What is the easiest carbon steel to weld? Low-carbon grades such as 1010, 1018 and 1020 are generally easier to weld than higher-carbon grades.
What is the difference between 1018 and 1045? 1018 has much lower carbon and is generally easier to weld and form. 1045 provides higher strength and hardness potential but requires more care during welding.
Which carbon steel is good for shafts? 1045 is a common choice for shafts and similar machine components when greater strength and hardness are needed.
Which carbon steel is easiest to machine? Low- to medium-carbon steels can generally be machined readily. Actual machinability depends on grade, condition, tooling and cutting parameters.
Which carbon steel is best for gears? Medium-carbon steels such as 1045 may be suitable for some gears, while carburizing grades may be preferable where a hard wear-resistant surface and tougher core are required.
Which carbon steel is best for forming? Very low- and low-carbon grades generally provide better cold-forming characteristics than medium- and high-carbon grades.
Can 1045 be welded? 1045 can be welded, but its higher carbon content makes welding more demanding than low-carbon steels and appropriate procedures may be required.
Which carbon steel can reach high hardness? Higher-carbon grades such as 1050, 1060 and 1095 have greater hardness potential through suitable heat treatment.
Is carbon steel corrosion resistant? Carbon steel generally has limited corrosion resistance and normally requires suitable protection when exposed to moisture or corrosive environments.
Can this selector guarantee the correct grade? No. It provides a preliminary recommendation based on the selected requirements. Final selection should be verified against the applicable standard, design loads, operating conditions and required properties.