1018 Cold Roll Steel

C1018 is a general purpose low carbon steel with good case hardening qualities. It has a higher manganese content than certain other low carbon grades, such as 1020. With higher manganese, 1018 is better steel for carburized parts, since it produces a harder and more uniform case. It also has higher mechanical properties and better machinability due to the cold drawing process. Most 1018 is produced by cold drawing. In this process, oversize hot rolled bars, which have been cleaned of scale, are drawn through dies to the required size. Cold drawing increases tensile and yield strength but decreases ductility. Cold drawing also increases torsional strength, surface hardness and wear resistance. Due to size limitations of the cold drawing process, large diameter bars are generally turned and polished, the hot roll rounds usually machine turned, rather than drawn, then abrasively polished. C1018, available in rounds, flats, squares and hexagons, has a relatively large size selection.

ANALYSIS

1018 cold roll bars conforms to ASTM A29, A108

APPLICATIONS

1018 has a wide variety of applications. It is used for parts requiring cold forming, such as crimping, swaging or bending. For severe bends, stress relieving may be necessary to prevent cracking. It is highly suitable for carburized parts, such as gears, ratchets, worms, pinions, pins, chain pins, dowels, machine parts, non-critical components of tool and die sets, tool holders, etc. It is used when good workability is required, on parts requiring threading, drilling, punching and machining. It is extensively used for mounting plates, spacers and fixtures. C1018 is suitable for all applications that do not require the greater strength of high carbon and alloy steels

MACHINEABILITY AND WELDABILITY

Machinability is rated at 78% of B1112. Average cutting speed 130 ft/min. This grade is easily welded by all welding processes including gas, air, and submerges arc, and the resultant welds and joints are of extremely high quality. Preheat and post-weld heating is generally not necessary.

HEAT TREATING

1018 will respond to any carburizing method and subsequent heat treatments. Case hardening results in a hard case and relatively soft core. Carburize at 1650°-1700°, oil or water quench and temper at 300°. For a hard case and tough core, the following heat treatment is suggested: Carburize at 1650°-1700°F for approximately 8 hours, cool in oven and reheat to 1400°-1450°F. Quench in water and draw at 300°-350°. Carburizing depth typically .060-.070".

TOLERANCES

SPEEDY METALS ITEMS