Cold Rolled Rounds
About Cold Rolled Rounds
1018 cold rolled round bar provides excellent machinability, tight dimensional tolerances, and a smooth finish. Conforms to ASTM A108. Ideal for shafts, pins, and fasteners. Los Angeles stock with custom cutting.
Quick Facts
- Material: 1018 Cold Rolled Steel
- ASTM Standard: A108
- Condition: Cold Drawn
- Available Sizes: Diameters from 1/16" and larger
- Location: Los Angeles warehouse
- Services: Custom size, same-day pickup
Overview
1018 cold rolled round is a low-carbon steel bar produced through a cold finishing process, resulting in a smooth, scale-free surface and superior dimensional accuracy compared to hot rolled products. This process strain-hardens the steel, increasing its tensile and yield strength. Its composition provides a balance of toughness, strength, and ductility, making it a highly versatile material for general-purpose fabrication and machining where precision is a key requirement.
The material's excellent machinability and good weldability (with proper procedures) make it a popular choice for manufacturing a wide range of components. 1018 steel responds well to carburizing and case hardening for applications requiring a wear-resistant surface over a tough core. Its predictable performance and cost-effectiveness ensure its use across numerous industrial, commercial, and hobbyist projects, from simple pins to complex machinery parts.
Technical Specifications
Mechanical Properties (Typical for 1018)
| Property | Value | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 63,800 | PSI |
| Yield Strength | 53,700 | PSI |
| Elongation | 15 | % |
| Hardness | 126 | HB |
Chemical Composition (Typical for 1018)
| Element | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.15% - 0.20% |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.60% - 0.90% |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.04% |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.05% |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
Applicable Standards
- ASTM A108: Standard Specification for Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished
Common Applications
- Machinery & Equipment: Shafts, axles, and spindles - for its straightness and strength.
- Automotive: Dowel pins, linkage components, and pivot pins - due to tight tolerances and good wear characteristics after hardening.
- Fasteners: Bolts, studs, and custom screws - because it's easily machined and threaded.
- Industrial Tooling: Jigs, fixtures, and mounting plates - for its stability and machinability.
- Hydraulics: Piston rods and cylinder components - for its smooth surface finish ideal for sealing.
- General Fabrication: Brackets, braces, and support rods - due to its good weldability and predictable properties.
- Prototyping: Custom machined parts and models - for its cost-effectiveness and ease of use.
- Architectural: Decorative spindles and structural connectors - for its clean finish.
Working with Cold Rolled Rounds
Machining
1018 steel has excellent machinability, rated at 70% of 1212 steel. It produces smooth finishes and is suitable for turning, milling, drilling, and tapping using standard tooling and practices. Using coolant is recommended for best results and to maintain tight tolerances.
Welding
1018 is readily weldable using common methods like MIG and TIG. Preheating is not typically required for thin sections, but may be beneficial for thicker sections to prevent cracking. Post-weld stress relief can improve dimensional stability for precision parts.
Finishing
The smooth, clean surface of cold rolled 1018 is ideal for plating, painting, or powder coating with minimal preparation. It also responds well to case hardening (carburizing) to create a hard, wear-resistant surface while maintaining a ductile core.
Related Products
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between 1018 cold rolled and A36 hot rolled round bar?
A: 1018 cold rolled has a smoother, scale-free finish, tighter dimensional tolerances, and higher strength (53,700 PSI yield) due to the cold working process. A36 hot rolled has a rougher, scaled surface, looser tolerances, and lower strength (36,000 PSI yield) but is generally more economical.
Q: Can 1018 steel be hardened?
A: 1018 is a low-carbon steel and cannot be effectively through-hardened with heat treatment. However, it is an excellent candidate for case hardening processes like carburizing, which creates a very hard, wear-resistant surface layer while the core remains tough and ductile.
Q: Is 1018 steel magnetic?
A: Yes, as a carbon steel, 1018 is ferromagnetic and is strongly attracted to magnets. It is not a stainless steel.
Stock & Custom Sizes
Available diameters: 1/16" to 5/16" and larger. Standard lengths: 12 ft. Custom size available.
Same-day cutting and Los Angeles pickup available.
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