Steel 1006 · supply condition · default condition
Steel 1006-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other 1006 tempers.
Default, cheapest form: wire rod, merchant bar and hot-rolled coil for forming, welding and re-drawing.
What is 1006-HR?
1006-HR is 1006 supplied in the HR condition — default, cheapest form: wire rod, merchant bar and hot-rolled coil for forming, welding and re-drawing. 1006-HR has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1006-HR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,515°C (2,759 °F).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 65 W/m·K (37.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 12 % IACS, better than 100% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 97/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 170 MPa (24.7 ksi), worse than 99% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1006-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1006-HR — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1006 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1006-HR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,515°C (2,759 °F).
Mechanical15
1006-HR has a yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1006-HR is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 65 W/m·K (37.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1006-HR conducts electricity at 12 % IACS, better than 100% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1006-HR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 28%.
Manufacturability8
1006-HR's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability excellent (97/100); formability excellent (95/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1006 tempers and conditions
1006 is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1006 overview.
- HRDefaultDefault, cheapest form: wire rod, merchant bar and hot-rolled coil for forming, welding and re-drawing.170 MPa yield · 86 HB
- CDUse when tighter tolerance, straightness and ~60 % higher yield are needed; ductility and formability drop.285 MPa yield · 95 HB
- CRPick for stampings and deep-drawn parts needing a clean, flat surface and high n-value (ASTM A1008 CS/DS).210 MPa yield · 88 HB
- NormalizedUse to refine grain and homogenize after hot working or welding; slightly higher strength than annealed with uniform properties.180 MPa yield · 90 HB
- AnnealedChoose for maximum ductility before severe cold heading, deep drawing or thread rolling.165 MPa yield · 85 HB
Working with 1006-HR
Is 1006 easy to machine?
Gummy and prone to built-up edge — use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed, generous coolant, or cold-drawn/normalized stock for better finish; consider 1215/12L14 if machining dominates.
Can 1006 be welded?
Excellent by all processes (RSW, MIG, TIG, SMAW, laser) with no preheat or PWHT; ER70S-6/E7018 filler over-matches the base metal.
Can 1006 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — deep drawing, roll forming, cold heading and thread rolling; watch for stretcher strains in non-IF grades (temper roll or use a killed, aged-resistant grade).
What surface finishes work on 1006?
No corrosion resistance bare: zinc electroplate/galvanize, phosphate + e-coat or paint; also carburizes readily to a hard case (58–62 HRC) with a soft, tough core.
1006 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CSAE/AISI 1006, heat analysis | ≤ 0.08 | 0.06 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.35 | 0.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S0.050 max in some bar specs | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Sinot specified for rimmed/Al-killed sheet; typical residual | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1006-HR — frequently asked
What is 1006-HR used for?
1006-HR is typically used for refrigerator panels, washing machine bodies, deep-drawn stampings, cold-headed fasteners, drawn wire, nails and chain and welded tube and pipe. In short: economical; basic shaping.
What is the yield strength of 1006-HR?
1006-HR has a typical yield strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 1006-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Gummy and prone to built-up edge — use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed, generous coolant, or cold-drawn/normalized stock for better finish; consider 1215/12L14 if machining dominates.
Can 1006-HR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (97/100). Excellent by all processes (RSW, MIG, TIG, SMAW, laser) with no preheat or PWHT; ER70S-6/E7018 filler over-matches the base metal.
What surface finishes work on 1006-HR?
No corrosion resistance bare: zinc electroplate/galvanize, phosphate + e-coat or paint; also carburizes readily to a hard case (58–62 HRC) with a soft, tough core.
Can 1006-HR be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — deep drawing, roll forming, cold heading and thread rolling; watch for stretcher strains in non-IF grades (temper roll or use a killed, aged-resistant grade).
What is the maximum service temperature of 1006-HR?
1006-HR is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1006-HR and 1006-CD?
HR is the default condition — default, cheapest form: wire rod, merchant bar and hot-rolled coil for forming, welding and re-drawing. CD: use when tighter tolerance, straightness and ~60 % higher yield are needed; ductility and formability drop. Yield strength is 170 MPa in HR versus 285 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1006-HR?
Yes — 1006-HR is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A1008/A1008M — Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet — ASTM (2021)
- ASTM A510 — Carbon Steel Wire Rods and Coarse Round Wire — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- UNS G10060 alloy data compilations — SAE/ASTM UNS (2020)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.