1018 Cold Rolled Steel Bar Blanks

1018 cold rolled steel bar blanks are the most widely used low-carbon steel for machining, welding, and general fabrication. The 1018 designation indicates a plain carbon steel with 0.15-0.20% carbon, placing it in the low-carbon or mild steel category. Cold rolling improves the surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and mechanical properties compared to hot-rolled A36, making 1018 the better choice for any application requiring tight tolerances or a clean machined surface. Machinability is one of 1018's primary advantages. The low carbon content produces free-cutting chips that evacuate cleanly, and the cold-rolled microstructure machines to a smooth finish without the tearing and built-up edge problems that can plague softer hot-rolled steels. While 12L14 free-machining steel offers faster cutting speeds, 1018 is preferred when the finished part will be welded, since 12L14's lead content can cause porosity in welds. 1018 welds exceptionally well with all common processes and requires no preheat for standard section sizes. The low carbon content virtually eliminates the risk of hydrogen cracking and produces ductile welds with minimal hardening in the heat-affected zone. This combination of machinability and weldability makes 1018 bar stock the default material for machine shops producing fixtures, jigs, and fabricated components. For applications requiring a hard wear surface on a tough core, 1018 is an excellent candidate for case hardening. Carburizing at 1,700°F produces a case depth of 0.030-0.060 inches with surface hardness of 58-62 HRC while the core remains soft and impact-resistant. Our 1018 cold rolled bar blanks are available in round and flat bar configurations, cut to length from certified mill stock.