1008 / 1010 Low Carbon Steel

General Properties

BMC’s 1008 / 1010 low carbon steel — commonly called mild steel — is cold-rolled carbon steel strip produced to ASTM A109. Because BMC buys it to meet both grades, carbon is held to 0.08–0.10%, so it is soft, tough and easy to work, and cold rolling lets it be supplied in tempers from hard to dead soft to suit the forming operation.

It is one of the most economical metals available, and it is widely used for parts that do not need the corrosion resistance or high strength of stainless or alloy steels.

Key Properties & Advantages

• Ductility — bends, rolls and forms into complex shapes without cracking or losing toughness.
• Machinability — cuts, punches, drills and machines easily, keeping production time and tooling costs down.
• Weldability — low carbon content produces sound, strong welds by most common welding methods.
• Economy — low material cost and easy processing with standard tools and equipment.
• Magnetic — the high iron content makes it ferromagnetic.
• Recyclable — steel is among the most widely recycled materials, supporting sustainable manufacturing.

Typical Uses

• Shims, washers, stampings and blanked parts
• Brackets, clips, framing and enclosure components
• Machinery, automotive and industrial equipment parts
• Appliance, furniture and housewares components
• Roofing, cladding and other formed building products
• Plated, painted or coated parts

Limitations

• Corrosion — rusts when exposed to moisture and air. Plating, painting, galvanizing or rust-preventive oil is needed for most service, especially outdoors or in harsh environments.
• Strength — lower tensile strength than medium- and high-carbon or alloy steels, so it is less suited to highly stressed or heavily loaded parts.
• Heat — loses strength at elevated temperatures and is not intended for high-heat service.

Chemical Composition

Tempers — ASTM A109

Physical Properties