Overview
SAE/AISI 1010 Steel is a low-carbon steel grade widely used in North America and internationally for applications requiring excellent formability, weldability, and cold-working performance.
As part of the AISI 10XX Carbon Steel Series, 1010 steel contains approximately 0.10% carbon, providing a good balance between ductility, machinability, and fabrication ease.
SAE 1010 is commonly used in:
- Sheet Metal Fabrication
- Automotive Components
- Tubing & Pipes
- Fasteners
- Structural Parts
- Stamped Components
- Welded Assemblies
- Machinery Components
Compared with SAE 1008, 1010 offers slightly higher strength. Compared with SAE 1020, it provides better formability but lower mechanical strength.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | SAE/AISI 1010 |
| Standard | ASTM / SAE / AISI |
| UNS Number | G10100 |
| Material Family | Low Carbon Steel |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Magnetic Property | Magnetic |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Plate, Coil, Bar, Tube, Pipe, Wire |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
| Carbon (C) | 0.08–0.13 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.30–0.60 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.040 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.050 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤0.30 |
The low carbon content provides excellent ductility and weldability.
Mechanical Properties
Hot Rolled Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 325–400 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 180–250 MPa |
| Elongation | 28–35% |
| Hardness | 95–120 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | 200 GPa |
Cold Drawn Condition
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 380–480 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 250–350 MPa |
| Hardness | 110–140 HB |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1460–1510°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 51.9 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.16 μΩ·m |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 11.7 × 10⁻⁶/K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 486 J/kg·K |
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Indoor Environment | Moderate |
| Dry Atmosphere | Good |
| Humid Environment | Poor |
| Outdoor Environment | Poor |
| Marine Environment | Very Poor |
| Chemical Environment | Poor |
SAE 1010 steel requires protective surface treatment for long-term corrosion protection.
Recommended finishes include:
- Zinc Plating
- Hot-Dip Galvanizing
- Powder Coating
- Electrophoretic Coating (E-Coating)
- Nickel Plating
- Painting
Weldability
| Welding Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| MIG Welding | Excellent |
| TIG Welding | Excellent |
| Arc Welding | Excellent |
| Resistance Welding | Excellent |
| Spot Welding | Excellent |
SAE 1010 is considered one of the easiest steels to weld.
No preheating is typically required.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Turning | Good |
| CNC Milling | Good |
| Drilling | Excellent |
| Tapping | Excellent |
| Grinding | Good |
| Laser Cutting | Excellent |
| Stamping | Outstanding |
| Deep Drawing | Outstanding |
The low carbon content makes SAE 1010 ideal for forming and stamping applications.
Heat Treatment
Annealing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 815–870°C |
| Cooling Method | Furnace Cool |
Normalizing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 870–925°C |
| Cooling Method | Air Cool |
Carburizing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Application | Surface Hardening |
| Result | Hard Outer Layer with Tough Core |
1010 steel is often carburized when wear resistance is required.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| SAE / AISI (USA) | 1010 |
| ASTM (USA) | ASTM A510 1010 |
| UNS | G10100 |
| GB/T (China) | Q195 / 10# Steel |
| JIS (Japan) | S10C |
| EN (Europe) | C10E |
| DIN (Germany) | CK10 |
| ISO | C10 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Hot Rolled Sheet | Yes |
| Cold Rolled Sheet | Yes |
| Steel Coil | Yes |
| Round Bar | Yes |
| Wire Rod | Yes |
| Steel Tube | Yes |
| Welded Pipe | Yes |
| Structural Profiles | Yes |
Typical Applications
Automotive Industry
- Body Panels
- Brackets
- Mounting Components
- Seat Structures
- Reinforcement Parts
Sheet Metal Fabrication
- Electrical Enclosures
- Control Cabinets
- Chassis
- Covers
- Panels
Tube & Pipe Manufacturing
- Furniture Tubes
- Mechanical Tubes
- Structural Tubing
- Welded Pipes
Machinery Manufacturing
- Machine Guards
- Equipment Frames
- Supports
- Light Mechanical Parts
Fastener Industry
- Rivets
- Bolts
- Pins
- Studs
Appliance Industry
- Refrigerator Components
- Washing Machine Parts
- Air Conditioner Components
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Laser Cutting | Excellent |
| CNC Punching | Excellent |
| Stamping | Outstanding |
| Deep Drawing | Outstanding |
| Bending | Excellent |
| Welding | Outstanding |
| Roll Forming | Excellent |
| Powder Coating | Excellent |
| Galvanizing | Excellent |
Advantages
Excellent Formability
Ideal for deep drawing and complex shapes.
Outstanding Weldability
Suitable for all common welding methods.
Cost Effective
One of the most economical engineering steels.
Excellent Surface Finish
Widely used in cold rolled products.
Easy Processing
Supports forming, welding, machining, and coating.
Ideal for Mass Production
Perfect for high-volume manufacturing.
Limitations
Low Strength
Not suitable for heavy structural applications.
Poor Corrosion Resistance
Requires protective coatings for outdoor use.
Limited Wear Resistance
Surface hardening may be required.
Not Suitable for High-Temperature Service
Performance decreases at elevated temperatures.
Comparison with Other Carbon Steels
| Property | SAE 1010 | SAE 1008 | SAE 1020 | Q195 | Q235 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Content | 0.08–0.13% | 0.05–0.10% | 0.18–0.23% | ≤0.12% | ≤0.20% |
| Strength | Medium | Lower | Higher | Similar | Higher |
| Formability | Excellent | Outstanding | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Weldability | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
Comparison with Engineering Materials
| Material | Yield Strength | Corrosion Resistance | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAE 1010 | 180–250 MPa | Poor | Low |
| SAE 1020 | 295–350 MPa | Poor | Low |
| Q195 | 195 MPa | Poor | Low |
| Q235 | 235 MPa | Poor | Low |
| SS304 | 205 MPa | Excellent | High |
| Aluminum 5052 | 193 MPa | Excellent | High |
Available Surface Finishes
Raw Finishes
- Hot Rolled Finish
- Cold Rolled Finish
- Pickled Finish
Protective Finishes
- Hot-Dip Galvanizing
- Electro Galvanizing
- Zinc Plating
- Nickel Plating
- Chrome Plating
Decorative Finishes
- Powder Coating
- Spray Painting
- Electrophoretic Coating (E-Coating)
- Silk Screen Printing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is SAE 1010 steel?
SAE 1010 is a low-carbon steel known for its excellent formability, weldability, and ease of fabrication.
What is SAE 1010 used for?
Typical applications include:
- Sheet Metal Parts
- Automotive Components
- Tubing
- Fasteners
- Appliance Parts
- Welded Structures
What is the difference between SAE 1010 and SAE 1020?
| Property | SAE 1010 | SAE 1020 |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Content | Lower | Higher |
| Strength | Lower | Higher |
| Formability | Better | Lower |
| Machinability | Similar | Better |
What is the difference between SAE 1010 and Q195?
SAE 1010 and Q195 are very similar in strength and applications, both being low-carbon steels used in fabrication and forming.
Can SAE 1010 be welded?
Yes. SAE 1010 offers excellent weldability and requires no special welding procedures.
Can SAE 1010 be galvanized?
Yes. It is commonly galvanized to improve corrosion resistance.
Is SAE 1010 suitable for CNC machining?
Yes. It machines well, although SAE 1020 and 12L14 offer better machinability.
Can SAE 1010 be heat treated?
It cannot be significantly through-hardened, but it can be carburized for improved surface hardness.
Why is SAE 1010 widely used in manufacturing?
Because it combines:
- Excellent Formability
- Outstanding Weldability
- Low Cost
- Easy Processing
making it ideal for mass-produced components.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for SAE 1010?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- CNC Machining
- Laser Cutting
- Sheet Metal Fabrication
- Stamping
- Deep Drawing
- Tube Fabrication
- Welding
- Powder Coating
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production