1020 Carbon Steel (UNS G10200)
A low-carbon steel close to 1018 with lower manganese — weldable, formable and case hardenable, for shafts, pins and general machined parts.
What 1020 is.
1020 is a plain low-carbon steel with 0.18 to 0.23 percent carbon and 0.30 to 0.60 percent manganese. It behaves like 1018 in the shop and in service: easy to machine and weld, not through-hardenable, and suited to carburizing for a hard surface.
We machine 1020 components from cold-finished or hot-rolled bar and supply them plain or plated. Where a drawing calls for 1018 or 1020 interchangeably we use whichever is in stock in the required size.
Chemical composition.
| Element | Symbol | Min % | Max % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon | C | 0.18 | 0.23 |
| Manganese | Mn | 0.30 | 0.60 |
| Phosphorus | P | — | 0.040 |
| Sulfur | S | — | 0.050 |
Per SAE J403 / ASTM A29, confirmed by AZoM, eFunda, Capital Steel and the SAE J403-2024 summary.
Mechanical properties.
| Condition (¾–1¼ in. round) | Tensile strength, typical (ksi) | Yield strength 0.2% offset, typical (ksi) | Elongation, typical (%) | Reduction of area, typical (%) | Hardness, typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold drawn | 61 | 51 | 15 | 40 | 121 HB |
| Hot rolled | 55 | 30 | 25 | 50 | — |
Typical values for ¾ to 1¼ in. round bar, confirmed by Capital Steel, Eaton Steel Bar and AZoM. ASTM A108 sets no mechanical requirements, so order to a stated minimum where one matters.
Specifications that apply.
How 1020 ships from Houston.
- Machined components from certified bar
- Studs, threaded rod and U-bolts
- Hex bolts and cap screws
- Nuts, washers and spacers
- Pins, shafts and bushings
1020 fasteners we make.
Every item is manufactured to your drawing or standard in 1020, imperial or metric, with an EN 10204 3.1 certificate.
What is 1020 steel?
1020 is a low-carbon steel almost interchangeable with 1018; the differences are a slightly higher carbon range and a lower manganese range, which make hot-rolled 1020 slightly softer than 1018. Both are used for the same kinds of machined and welded parts, and both are hardened only at the surface by carburizing.
Testing, certification and marking
- Hardness tested per lot; tensile on request or where the specification requires it
- Manufacturer's identification and heat number on every piece where size allows
- EN 10204 3.1 material test report with heat number and chemistry
- PMI verification on request
1018 Carbon Steel (UNS G10180)
The everyday machining steel: low carbon, easily welded and case hardened, cold drawn for a clean finish — for pins, spacers, brackets and non-critical machined parts.
ASTM A108 cold-finished bar · chemistry per ASTM A29 / SAE J4031045 Carbon Steel (UNS G10450)
The medium-carbon workhorse: hardenable by quench and temper, induction hardenable at the surface, strong as drawn — for shafts, axles, studs, gears and hydraulic components.
ASTM A36 / A36MASTM A36 Structural Carbon Steel
The structural steel: 36 ksi yield, 58 to 80 ksi tensile, weldable and available in every shape — for anchor bolts, stay rods, U-bolts, plates and brackets made from bar and plate.