# Low-Carbon Steel 1018

> The friendly mild steel: welds beautifully, case-hardens to a glassy skin, costs less than anything.

- Category: Carbon, Alloy & Tool Steels → carbon-steel
- HTML page: https://fabvector.com/materials/steel-1018 (Portuguese: https://fabvector.com/pt/materials/steel-1018)
- Price index: $ (1–5, 6061-T6 = $)

## Mechanical properties (typical values, not certified minimums)

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 440 MPa (cold drawn) |
| Yield strength | 370 MPa (cold drawn) |
| Hardness | 126 HB |
| Density | 7.87 g/cm³ |
| Machinability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Corrosion resistance | ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5) |

## When to choose it

The right call for brackets, spacers and weldment components where stiffness and low cost matter more than raw strength — and for cheap wear pins via carburizing (58–62 HRC skin over a tough core).

## When to look elsewhere

When the part carries real stress: 370 MPa yield trails 1045 (530 MPa) and is barely half of Q&T 4140, and it cannot through-harden. It also rusts bare — always plan a coating.

## Typical applications

- Machine brackets and bases
- Weldment inserts and bosses
- Case-hardened pins and pivots
- Spacers and general hardware

## Compatible surface finishes

- [As-Machined](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/as-machined)
- [Black Oxide](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/black-oxide)
- [Zinc Plating](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/zinc-plating)
- [Nickel Plating (Electrolytic)](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/nickel-plating)
- [Electroless Nickel Plating (ENP)](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/electroless-nickel-plating)
- [Hard Chrome Plating](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/chrome-plating)
- [Powder Coating](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/powder-coating)
- [Wet Painting](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/wet-painting)
- [PTFE Coating (Teflon)](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/ptfe-coating)
- [Laser Marking](https://fabvector.com/md/finishes/laser-marking)

Industries: industrial-automation, automotive, robotics · Instant quote: https://fabvector.com/quote