Carbon Steel — A1008 · A36 · A1018 | Xeon NC Material Catalog

// Grade Comparison

Pick the Right Steel

From thin-gauge cold-rolled to ultra-hard abrasion plate — each grade carries unique structural, surface, and fabrication trade-offs. Compare them side-by-side.

Cold-Rolled

$$$$$

A1008/A1010 CRS

Smooth surface with tight thickness tolerances. Excellent for precision parts and powder coating.

Pros

✓Smooth, clean surface finish (no mill scale)

✓Excellent formability and bending characteristics

✓Ready for powder coating after standard cleaning

✓Tightest thickness tolerances among steel grades

Cons

✗Susceptible to rust if not coated or oiled

✗Slightly lower yield strength compared to A1018

Density

7.87 g/cm³

Tensile

44 ksi

Finish

Mill (Clean)

Weldable

Yes

Hot-Rolled · Structural

$$$$$

A36 HRS

The most cost-effective structural steel. Ideal for heavy brackets, base plates, and structural components.

Pros

✓Most economical steel grade available

✓Excellent weldability for structural assemblies

✓High yield strength (36 ksi minimum)

Cons

✗Rougher surface with blue-grey mill scale

✗Scale must be ground off prior to welding or coating

✗Looser thickness tolerances than Cold-Rolled

Density

7.85 g/cm³

Tensile

58 ksi

Finish

Mill Scale

Weldable

Yes

Cold-Rolled · High Strength

$$$$$

A1018 CRS

Higher carbon content for superior strength and machinability.

Pros

✓Significantly higher tensile/yield strength than A1008

✓Excellent machinability (drilling, tapping, milling)

✓Tight tolerances and smooth finish

Cons

✗Reduced formability (harder to bend than A1008)

✗Must be coated to prevent oxidation

Density

7.87 g/cm³

Tensile

54 ksi

Finish

Mill (Clean)

Weldable

Yes

Abrasion-Resistant · Boron Alloy

$$$$$

AR500

Boron-alloyed hardened plate at 500 Brinell. Laser cuttable for wear liners, ballistic targets, and impact-resistant components.

Pros

✓Extreme abrasion resistance — outlasts mild steel 4×

✓High tensile strength (250+ ksi) for structural applications

✓Laser cuttable up to 1″ with oxygen assist

✓Weldable with proper preheat and low-hydrogen rod

Cons

✗Not bendable — hardness causes cracking on press brake

✗Requires preheat before welding or will crack

✗Higher material and cutting cost vs. mild steel

Hardness

477–534 BHN

Tensile

250 ksi

Finish

Mill Scale

Weldable

Pre-heat Req.

// Stock Availability

Thickness & Gauge Options

Carbon steel sheet is stocked in full sheets — 119″ × 47″ for thin gauges (16–14 ga) and 119″ × 59″ for 12 ga through 3/4″ plate. Click any row for full specs, bend limits, and laser tolerances.

A1008/1010 CRS

A36 HRS

A1018 CRS

AR500 Wear Plate

Gauge	Thickness	Decimal (in)	Metric (mm)	Sheet Size	Tolerance	Stock

💡 Click any row for full specs, bend limits, and laser tolerances.

Gauge Position — Thin to Thick

Material

Thickness
Thickness Tolerance i
Material
Type
Alloy
Finish i
Protective Film

Post Operations

Design Rules

Max Part Size i
Min Part Size
Min Recommended Hole i
Min Hole Size (absolute)
Min Channel Width i
Min Wall Thickness i
Max Aspect Ratio i
Kerf (Laser Cut Width) i
Cut Tolerance	±0.005"
Assist Gas i	N₂ (Nitrogen)

Common Applications

Material Photos

Stainless Steel · Laser Cut Part · #2B Finish XEON NC SHOP PHOTO

Stock Availability

Sheet size: 48″ × 96″ · Lead time: 3–5 business days

Material Properties

* Properties not guaranteed. For reference comparison only — not for design-critical specifications.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate) i
Tensile Strength (Yield) i
Shear Strength i
Shear Modulus i
Fatigue Strength i
Brinell Hardness i
Elongation at Break i
Elastic Modulus i
Poisson's Ratio i
Density

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// Material Science

A1008/1010 Steel Properties

Mechanical, thermal, and physical characteristics. Data reflects cold-rolled condition per ASTM A1008 CS Type B.

Tensile Strength

ksi (303 MPa)

Yield Strength

ksi (186 MPa)

Elongation

35%

in 2 inches

Hardness

Rockwell B

Density

7.87

g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³)

Melting Point

2,750

°F (1,510 °C)

Thermal Conductivity

30.0

BTU/hr·ft·°F

Max Use Temp

700

°F continuous

Grade Comparison

// Fabrication Services

Available for Carbon Steel

Every secondary service we offer is compatible with steel. Select services during the quoting process.

⚡

Fiber Laser Cutting

High-speed precision cutting on our TRUMPF fiber laser with oxygen or nitrogen assist options.

↗

CNC Bending

Precision press brake forming up to 1/4″ steel. Extremely consistent springback on cold-rolled steel.

⊙

Countersinking

82° and 90° countersinks for flush-mount fastener hardware.

◎

Tapping

Thread holes directly into the sheet for blind or through-hole hardware attachment. Excellent cleanly tapped threads in A1018.

▣

Hardware Insertion

PEM press-fit nuts, studs, and standoffs pressed into the sheet during fabrication.

◆

Deburring

Edge smoothing to remove sharp burrs left from the laser cutting process.

🎨

Powder Coating

Electrostatically applied powder coat in 10+ colors. Required for most steel applications to prevent oxidation.

⟐

Welding

MIG and TIG welding available for A1008, A36, and A1018 structural assemblies. Highly weldable materials.

// Metallurgy

Chemical Composition

Carbon steel is primarily iron — but the small percentages of Carbon, Manganese, and trace elements tell the whole story. Carbon is the master variable: raise it and you gain strength and hardness; lower it and you gain ductility, formability, and weldability.

Elemental Breakdown by Grade (% Weight, nominal)

Iron (Fe) Base

Carbon (C)

Manganese (Mn)

Silicon (Si)

P + S (Trace)

Iron is 98–99% of every carbon steel grade. What separates A1008, A36, and A1018 is governed entirely by 1–2% of alloying elements — chiefly carbon and manganese.

Carbon is the primary strength lever. A1008 is ultra-low carbon (≤ 0.10%) for maximum formability. A1018 raises it to 0.15–0.20% for better machinability and thread-holding strength. A36 is structural — chemistry is secondary to its 36 ksi minimum yield requirement.

Manganese amplifies carbon's effects. All three grades contain 0.30–0.90% Mn. It deoxidizes the melt, refines grain structure, and improves strength without the brittleness of raw carbon increases.

Element	A1008 CRS	A36 HRS	A1018 CRS	Role
Iron Fe — Base	Bal.	Bal.	Bal.	Matrix & structural base (~98–99%)
Carbon C — Master Variable	≤ 0.10%	≤ 0.26%	0.15–0.20%	Primary hardness & strength driver — more C = harder, less formable
Manganese Mn — Strengthener	0.30–0.60%	0.80–0.90%	0.60–0.90%	Deoxidizer, grain refiner, tensile booster
Silicon Si — Deoxidizer	≤ 0.035%*	≤ 0.40%	≤ 0.035%*	Deoxidizer, improves melt quality & surface
Phosphorus P — Controlled	≤ 0.030%	≤ 0.040%	≤ 0.040%	Impurity — excess causes cold-shortness & brittleness
Sulfur S — Controlled	≤ 0.035%	≤ 0.050%	≤ 0.050%	Impurity — improves machinability at controlled levels; excess causes hot-shortness
Copper Cu — Optional	Optional	≥ 0.20% (when spec'd)	Trace	A36 may include Cu for mild atmospheric corrosion resistance

* A1008 Si not specified in ASTM A1008 — effectively residual only. A36 per ASTM A36/A36M. A1018 per ASTM A108.

A1008 · COLD-ROLLED

Ultra-Low Carbon

≤ 0.10% C
Best formability & surface finish

A36 · HOT-ROLLED

Structural Grade

≤ 0.26% C
Yield-defined, not composition-defined

A1018 · COLD-ROLLED

Medium Carbon

0.15–0.20% C
Best machinability & thread strength

// Common Questions

Carbon Steel FAQ

Frequently asked questions about our carbon steel fabrication capabilities.

What is the difference between Hot-Rolled and Cold-Rolled steel?+

Hot-Rolled Steel (A36) is formed at high temperatures, leaving a rougher surface covered with a tough, blue-grey iron oxide layer called "mill scale." Cold-Rolled Steel (A1008/A1018) is further processed at room temperature, which removes the scale and yields a smooth, clean surface, tighter tolerances, and improved strength. CRS is best for cosmetic parts and powder coating, while HRS is best for heavy, hidden structural components.

Does carbon steel require a protective finish?+

Yes. Unlike stainless steel or aluminum, raw carbon steel will rust naturally and quickly when exposed to moisture and air. If you are not welding or finishing the parts yourself, we highly recommend selecting Powder Coating as a secondary service to provide a durable, rust-proof finish.

Do you use Oxygen or Nitrogen for laser cutting steel?+

We standardly use Nitrogen assist gas for laser cutting thin-gauge steel (up to 12 gauge) to provide clean, oxide-free edges that are ready for immediate powder coating. For thicker plate (1/8″ and 1/4″ A36 or A1018), we often use Oxygen to increase cutting speed and edge quality. If your parts require oxygen cutting but will be powder coated, the cut edges may require mechanical abrasion to ensure proper paint adhesion.

Is steel easy to bend and form?+

Yes! A1008 Cold-Rolled Steel is one of the easiest and most consistent materials to form on a CNC press brake. It exhibits minimal springback compared to stainless steel or aluminum, resulting in highly precise angle tolerances.

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Grade Comparison

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