1018 Steel

AISI 1018 is the most common grade of low-carbon "Mild Steel." It offers an excellent balance of strength, ductility, and machinability at a very low cost. Its defining feature is its superior weldability, making it the primary choice for parts that will be welded into larger assemblies or structures. While it cannot be through-hardened like alloy steels, it can be Case Hardened (Carburized) to provide a hard, wear-resistant surface with a tough inner core. At Jucheng Precision, we process tons of 1018 steel annually for structural plates, mounting brackets, and machine fixtures, offering comprehensive secondary services like Welding, Black Oxide, and Zinc Plating.

Back to Materials Get a Quote
Steel 1018

1018 Steel Machining Capabilities

Capability Technical Description Jucheng Advantage
High-Volume Milling 1018 is a cost-effective material. We utilize high-efficiency tool paths to remove material quickly for large structural batches. We offer the lowest cost-per-part for general purpose steel brackets and mounting plates due to our optimized roughing cycles.
Welding & Fabrication 1018 is the most weldable steel. We machine components that are then welded into larger frames or assemblies. We provide a one-stop service: CNC machining followed by certified MIG/TIG welding to create complex chassis.
Surface Grinding Due to its high magnetic permeability, 1018 is easy to hold on magnetic chucks for grinding flat parallel surfaces. We produce blanchard-ground base plates and fixture tables with excellent flatness at a lower cost than tool steels.
Case Hardening Carburizing the surface to create a hard, wear-resistant “case” while maintaining a tough, ductile core. Ideal for manufacturing durable pins, bushings, and cams that need to resist surface wear without snapping under load.

Fabrication Guidelines for 1018 Steel

Chip Control:
Low carbon steel is soft and “gummy.” It tends to produce long, stringy chips that can wrap around the tool. Tip: We use chip-breaking inserts and high-pressure coolant to manage chip evacuation.

Rust Prevention:
1018 has zero corrosion resistance. It will rust immediately if exposed to moisture. Tip: Parts must be oiled, Black Oxide coated, Zinc Plated, or Painted immediately after machining.

Not Thru-Hardenable:
You cannot heat treat 1018 to harden it all the way through (like 4140). It can only be Case Hardened (surface hardening). Do not specify “Through Hardening” for this alloy.

Primary Applications

Machine Fixtures
Base plates, clamps, and blocks used to hold other parts during machining. Low cost and high stability.

Structural Brackets
Mounting hardware for engines, motors, and heavy machinery where weldability and toughness are key.

Pins & Bushings
Case-hardened 1018 is the standard for wear parts in agricultural and construction equipment.

Consumer Goods
Simple aesthetic parts that will be powder coated or painted, such as furniture frames or gym equipment.

Properties

Density 7.87 g/cm³
Tensile Strength 440 MPa
Yield Strength 370 MPa
Hardness 126 HB (Brinell)
Elongation at Break 15%
Thermal Conductivity 51.9 W/m-K
Machinability Rating 70%
Weldability Excellent
Hardenability Surface Only
Corrosion Resistance Poor
Magnetic Yes
Max Part Size 2000 x 800 x 600 mm