SAE 1010 steel
Low-carbon steel chemistry designation: supplier analysis limits, product route, strip tempers and qualification requirements.
Tags: materials, steel, low-carbon-steel, sae
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What the designation establishes
Brown Metals' ASTM A109 1008/1010 strip uses HR15T at 0.024 in and HR30T at 0.025 in. Its 0.010 to below 0.025 in HR15T row gives 90 minimum for No. 1 hard. The supplier qualifies hardness at shipment and warns that aging can increase readings. Brown Metals thickness and temper table
SAE 1010 is a carbon-steel chemistry designation. SAE's current public J403 record identifies J403_202402, stabilized 23 February 2024, with a June 2014 technical revision. Its cast/heat limits are distinct from product-analysis variations addressed by J409. The chemistry name alone does not establish finished strength, hardness, tolerance or delivery condition. SAE J403 publisher record
Chemistry: preserve the table's scope
Metallus' Practical Data for Metallurgists, 19th edition, gives this 1010 row in its standard-carbon-steel chemistry table:
| Element | Published mass-percent range or maximum |
|---|---|
| Carbon | 0.08–0.13 |
| Manganese | 0.30–0.60 |
| Phosphorus | 0.040 maximum |
| Sulfur | 0.050 maximum |
This producer reference row is not the complete acceptance definition for every product or analysis method. Metallus chemistry table, page 4
ArcelorMittal's flat-product catalogue explicitly uses SAE J403:2009 and gives its 1010 product C 0.080–0.130%, Mn 0.30–0.60%, P ≤0.030% and S ≤0.035%. The different phosphorus/sulfur entries should remain attached to their sources and contractual product basis. Do not silently combine favorable limits from different tables into a new universal specification. ArcelorMittal B50 chemistry
When reviewing a certificate, establish whether the result is heat analysis or product analysis and apply the ordered edition's rules. Review unspecified residuals and any additional purchaser requirements against the complete order. Similar carbon content alone does not establish equivalence to an EN forming grade or another commercial product.
Product route and condition
ArcelorMittal's catalogue offers chemistry-defined flat products for drawing and construction uses. These application categories and dimensional offerings are producer information, not a guarantee that any proposed part can be formed successfully. ArcelorMittal product description
Record hot-rolled versus cold-processed route, annealing, temper, finish, coating and edge condition as applicable. If replacing an existing supply, compare those attributes and the actual guaranteed properties before approving the substitution. The chemistry designation cannot fill missing mechanical-property fields.
Use condition- and form-specific properties from the accepted product.
A bounded strip-product example
Brown Metals describes a 1008/1010 cold-rolled strip product to ASTM A109, purchased to a 0.08–0.10% carbon window so that it meets both chemistry descriptions. This is a supplier-defined product window, narrower than the complete 1010 carbon range in the reference table above. Brown Metals product and chemistry table
Its 0.010 to below 0.025 inch thickness band uses the HR15T hardness scale. It lists 90 minimum for No. 1 hard, 83.5–88.5 for No. 2 half hard, and 78.5 maximum for No. 5 dead soft, while qualifying maximum values as approximate. Hardness applies at shipment; aging may increase later readings. These are that strip product's table entries, not generic properties of every 1010 item. Brown Metals temper table and qualifications
Forming, joining and subsequent treatment
For stamping or drawing, qualify the actual thickness, temper, rolling direction, lubricant, tool geometry and edge condition. Agree required formability and surface quality with the supplier. Low carbon is not a substitute for process evidence on a deep draw, tight hem or heavily strained edge.
Record intermediate annealing and the final required condition. Review later heating, welding or surface treatment when it can change the properties originally tested. For welding, establish a procedure for actual chemistry, thickness, restraint, coating and service; the 1010 label supplies no universal preheat, filler or weld-strength value.
Where surface hardening is proposed, specify case depth, case/core properties, distortion and verification separately. A chemistry designation and a hard surface reading cannot establish the complete hardened case or core response.
Exposure and release record
Brown Metals identifies moisture/air corrosion as a limitation and discusses plating, painting, galvanizing or protective oil. Specify the actual protective system, surface preparation and exposure rather than treating low-carbon steel as a corrosion-resistant grade. Brown Metals limitations
Retain producer, heat/coil identity, chemistry and product standards/editions, form, dimensions, temper/condition, finish, certificate and required final inspections. Preserve traceability after slitting or cutting when the project requires it. Separate raw-material acceptance from the dimensions, joints and performance of the finished component.
Source editions
SAE identifies its February 2024 stabilization and June 2014 revision. Metallus' guide prints 19th edition, ©2024. ArcelorMittal's catalogue explicitly cites J403:2009, and Brown Metals prints Rev. 10/2026. Confirm the order's required editions and binding supplier commitments separately.