Steel 1012 · supply condition
Steel 1012-CR
Properties of the CR condition, compared with the other 1012 tempers.
Choose for stamped and drawn sheet parts needing a clean bright surface, tight thickness tolerance and good paint adhesion.
What is 1012-CR?
1012-CR is 1012 supplied in the CR condition — choose for stamped and drawn sheet parts needing a clean bright surface, tight thickness tolerance and good paint adhesion. 1012-CR has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1012-CR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 98% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), worse than 94% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1012-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1012-CR — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1012 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1012-CR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical14
1012-CR has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1012-CR is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1012-CR conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1012-CR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
1012-CR's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1012 tempers and conditions
1012 is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1012 overview.
- HRDefaultCheapest general form for welded structures, stampings and tube stock where surface finish and tight tolerance are not critical.185 MPa yield · 95 HB
- CDPick for shafts, pins and cold-headed parts needing higher yield strength, straightness and a smooth ground-ready surface.340 MPa yield · 115 HB
- CRChoose for stamped and drawn sheet parts needing a clean bright surface, tight thickness tolerance and good paint adhesion.250 MPa yield · 100 HB
- NormalizedUse to refine and homogenize grain structure after hot working, forging or heavy welding for uniform properties and toughness.195 MPa yield · 100 HB
- AnnealedUse when maximum ductility for deep drawing, severe bending or cold heading is needed, or to soften cold-worked stock.180 MPa yield · 90 HB
Working with 1012-CR
Is 1012 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — long stringy chips and built-up edge; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant, or specify a resulfurized grade (1117/12L14) for heavy turning.
Can 1012 be welded?
Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes with no preheat or PWHT needed at typical sheet thicknesses; use ER70S-6/E7018 class filler.
Can 1012 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — deep drawing, roll forming, cold heading and tight bend radii; normalize or anneal between severe forming steps.
What surface finishes work on 1012?
No inherent corrosion resistance: zinc plate/galvanize, phosphate-and-oil, e-coat or paint; carburize and quench for a hard wear surface (58–62 HRC case).
1012 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.1 – 0.15 | 0.12 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Pmax per SAE J403 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Smax per SAE J403 | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Sinot specified for non-resulfurized grades; residual in semi-killed/killed steel | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
1012-CR — frequently asked
What is 1012-CR used for?
1012-CR is typically used for cold-formed fasteners, welded tube, stamped brackets, chassis and body panels, chain links and deep-drawn housings. In short: ductile; deep cold-forming.
What is the yield strength of 1012-CR?
1012-CR has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 1012-CR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Soft and gummy — long stringy chips and built-up edge; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant, or specify a resulfurized grade (1117/12L14) for heavy turning.
Can 1012-CR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes with no preheat or PWHT needed at typical sheet thicknesses; use ER70S-6/E7018 class filler.
What surface finishes work on 1012-CR?
No inherent corrosion resistance: zinc plate/galvanize, phosphate-and-oil, e-coat or paint; carburize and quench for a hard wear surface (58–62 HRC case).
Can 1012-CR be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — deep drawing, roll forming, cold heading and tight bend radii; normalize or anneal between severe forming steps.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1012-CR?
1012-CR 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 1012-HR and 1012-CD?
HR is the default condition — cheapest general form for welded structures, stampings and tube stock where surface finish and tight tolerance are not critical. CD: pick for shafts, pins and cold-headed parts needing higher yield strength, straightness and a smooth ground-ready surface. Yield strength is 185 MPa in HR versus 340 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1012-CR?
Yes — 1012-CR is available for CNC machining and 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 A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A1008/A1011 — Cold-Rolled and Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet — ASTM (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining (machinability ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- GB/T 699 — (10/15 comparable) — SAC (2015)
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.