Steel 1026 · supply condition
Steel 1026-CD
Properties of the CD condition, compared with the other 1026 tempers.
Standard choice for shafting and screw-machine work: higher yield, straighter and to size, but with residual stress and reduced ductility.
What is 1026-CD?
1026-CD is 1026 supplied in the CD condition — standard choice for shafting and screw-machine work: higher yield, straighter and to size, but with residual stress and reduced ductility. 1026-CD has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1026-CD has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CD is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- 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
- Easy to machine — 65/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 83% of steel grades
1026-CD properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1026-CD — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1026 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1026-CD has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical14
1026-CD has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1026-CD 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 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1026-CD 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 1026-CD 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
1026-CD's machinability is good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1026 tempers and conditions
1026 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1026 overview.
- HRDefaultCheapest general-purpose condition for weldments, structural bar and machined parts where scale and loose tolerances are acceptable.275 MPa yield · 126 HB
- Q&TUse where higher yield strength and section toughness are needed in thin/medium sections; hardenability is shallow, so large bars stay soft in the core.480 MPa yield · 14 HRC
- DOMThe dominant commercial form of 1026: cold-drawn welded tube for hydraulic cylinders, roll cages and axle housings, with high strength and good concentricity.470 MPa yield · 167 HB
- CDStandard choice for shafting and screw-machine work: higher yield, straighter and to size, but with residual stress and reduced ductility.415 MPa yield · 143 HB
- CRChoose for sheet and strip needing clean surface and tight thickness; strength depends on the amount of skin/temper rolling.370 MPa yield · 140 HB
- NormalizedUniform fine ferrite–pearlite for consistent machining response and better low-temperature toughness in welded or forged parts.295 MPa yield · 135 HB
- AnnealedSoftest, most ductile and most stable condition — pick before heavy cold forming, deep drawing or to relieve prior work.250 MPa yield · 116 HB
Working with 1026-CD
Is 1026 easy to machine?
Machines readily at ~65 % of 1212; gummy in the annealed state, so prefer cold-drawn or normalized stock, sharp positive-rake tools and generous coolant for good finish.
Can 1026 be welded?
Excellent weldability by all arc processes with ER70S-x/E7018 filler; carbon ≈0.26 % means preheat 100–150 °C for sections above ~25 mm or restrained joints.
Can 1026 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending, forming and cold heading in HR/annealed condition; cold-drawn and DOM material has limited remaining ductility and springback — stress relieve before heavy forming.
What surface finishes work on 1026?
No corrosion protection of its own — zinc plate, phosphate-and-oil, e-coat, black oxide or paint; takes hard chrome and induction/carburized case hardening well, and polishes to a fair commercial finish.
1026 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 J403 heat analysis | 0.22 – 0.28 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Sinot specified for bessemer/rimmed grades; typical for killed steel | ≤ 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1026-CD — frequently asked
What is 1026-CD used for?
1026-CD is typically used for pinion shafts, drive shafts, DOM mechanical tubing, hydraulic cylinder tubes, machined pins and bushings and carburized gears and sprockets. In short: mechanical hot-rolled tube.
What is the yield strength of 1026-CD?
1026-CD has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 55% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1026-CD easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades). Machines readily at ~65 % of 1212; gummy in the annealed state, so prefer cold-drawn or normalized stock, sharp positive-rake tools and generous coolant for good finish.
Can 1026-CD be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent weldability by all arc processes with ER70S-x/E7018 filler; carbon ≈0.26 % means preheat 100–150 °C for sections above ~25 mm or restrained joints.
What surface finishes work on 1026-CD?
No corrosion protection of its own — zinc plate, phosphate-and-oil, e-coat, black oxide or paint; takes hard chrome and induction/carburized case hardening well, and polishes to a fair commercial finish.
Can 1026-CD be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending, forming and cold heading in HR/annealed condition; cold-drawn and DOM material has limited remaining ductility and springback — stress relieve before heavy forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1026-CD?
1026-CD 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 1026-HR and 1026-DOM?
HR is the default condition — cheapest general-purpose condition for weldments, structural bar and machined parts where scale and loose tolerances are acceptable. DOM: the dominant commercial form of 1026: cold-drawn welded tube for hydraulic cylinders, roll cages and axle housings, with high strength and good concentricity. Yield strength is 275 MPa in HR versus 470 MPa in DOM.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1026-CD?
Yes — 1026-CD 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 A513 — Electric-Resistance-Welded Carbon and Alloy Steel Mechanical Tubing — ASTM (2021)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating — ASM International (1991)
- Carbon steel bar & DOM tube property tables — producer/distributor datasheets (2023)
- Mysteel / SMM (2025)
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.