1008 Steel Properties Manufacturing Service

Manufacturing Insight: 1008 Steel Properties

Understanding 1008 Steel for Precision CNC Machining Applications

As a foundational low-carbon steel grade, AISI 1008 is widely specified across automotive, appliance, and general fabrication industries due to its favorable balance of formability, weldability, and cost-effectiveness. Its low carbon content (approximately 0.08%) ensures excellent cold-forming characteristics and ease of welding, while maintaining adequate strength for non-structural components like brackets, hinges, pins, and fasteners. Crucially for machinists, 1008 steel exhibits good machinability, producing manageable chips and allowing for efficient material removal rates when paired with appropriate CNC processes and tooling strategies. However, optimizing surface finish and dimensional accuracy requires precise control over cutting parameters to manage its relatively low hardness and tendency for built-up edge formation.

Honyo Prototype leverages deep material science expertise and advanced CNC machining capabilities to transform 1008 steel into high-precision prototypes and low-to-medium volume production parts. Our engineering team applies tailored machining protocols specifically for low-carbon steels, including optimized tool geometries, coolant strategies, and feed/speed profiles to maximize part integrity, surface quality, and throughput. We consistently achieve tight tolerances (±0.0005″ / ±0.0127mm) and superior finishes on 1008 steel components, ensuring your design intent is met with manufacturing excellence from the first part.

Key mechanical properties of 1008 steel relevant to machinability and performance include:

Property	Typical Value for 1008 Steel
Carbon Content (wt.%)	0.05 – 0.10%
Tensile Strength (MPa)	340 – 420
Yield Strength (MPa)	285 min
Elongation in 2″ (%)	20 min
Brinell Hardness (HB)	100 – 130
Machinability Rating	51% (Relative to B1112 = 100%)

Accelerate your 1008 steel component development with Honyo Prototype’s seamless integration of material knowledge and precision manufacturing. Utilize our Online Instant Quote system to receive a detailed, no-obligation cost assessment for your CNC machining project within minutes—simply upload your CAD file and specify material requirements. Experience how our technical proficiency with materials like 1008 steel reduces lead times and delivers exceptional part quality for your critical applications.

---

Technical Capabilities

Technical Specifications for 1008 Steel Properties in Precision Machining Applications

1008 steel is a low-carbon steel commonly used in precision manufacturing due to its excellent machinability, weldability, and formability. It is particularly suitable for applications requiring tight tolerances and smooth surface finishes in 3-, 4-, and 5-axis milling and turning operations. Below is a comparison of 1008 steel against other common prototype and production materials used at Honyo Prototype.

Property	1008 Steel	Aluminum (6061-T6)	ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)	Nylon (PA6/PA66)
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)	340–410 MPa	310 MPa	40–50 MPa	70–85 MPa
Yield Strength	285 MPa (approx.)	275 MPa	35–45 MPa	45–70 MPa
Elongation at Break	~20%	12%	3–5%	30–200% (varies by grade)
Hardness (Brinell)	105–115 HB	95 HB	80–100 MPa (tensile-based)	80–100 MPa
Density	7.85 g/cm³	2.70 g/cm³	1.04 g/cm³	1.13–1.15 g/cm³
Thermal Conductivity	51.9 W/m·K	167 W/m·K	0.19 W/m·K	0.25 W/m·K
Machinability Rating	70–80% (Good)	90–100% (Excellent)	Excellent	Good to Moderate
Typical Tolerance (Milling/Turning)	±0.005 mm to ±0.025 mm	±0.005 mm to ±0.025 mm	±0.05 mm to ±0.1 mm	±0.05 mm to ±0.1 mm
Surface Finish (Typical Ra)	0.8–1.6 µm (machined)	0.4–1.6 µm	1.6–3.2 µm	1.6–6.3 µm
Use in 3/4/5-Axis Milling	Suitable; stable for tight-tolerance features	Excellent; high MRR, low tool wear	Good; minimal fixturing required	Moderate; prone to deflection
Use in Turning	Excellent for precision shafts, pins	Excellent for high-speed turning	Suitable for prototypes	Suitable with controlled feeds/speeds
Dimensional Stability	High (low residual stress)	Moderate (thermal expansion)	Low (hygroscopic)	Moderate to Low (absorbs moisture)
Post-Processing Options	Plating, passivation, painting	Anodizing, polishing, painting	Painting, sanding, bonding	Machining, annealing, dyeing

Notes on 1008 Steel for Tight Tolerance Applications:

1008 steel performs reliably in multi-axis CNC environments due to its consistent microstructure and predictable chip formation. It responds well to fine finishing passes, enabling tolerances down to ±0.005 mm when machined under controlled conditions. Tool wear is moderate, allowing for extended tool life with carbide or coated inserts.

Compared to Aluminum 6061-T6, 1008 steel offers higher strength and wear resistance but requires more power and generates higher cutting forces. ABS and Nylon, while easier to machine, lack the dimensional stability and mechanical performance needed for high-precision, load-bearing components.

At Honyo Prototype, 1008 steel is frequently selected for jigs, fixtures, and functional prototypes requiring steel-like performance with tight geometric tolerances and smooth surface finishes.

---

From CAD to Part: The Process

Honyo Prototype’s workflow for manufacturing components using 1008 steel is a rigorously defined process integrating material science expertise with digital manufacturing protocols. This ensures consistent quality and performance for low-carbon steel applications. The sequence begins with CAD submission and concludes with certified delivery, with critical material-specific validations at each stage.

Upon CAD file upload, Honyo’s system initiates material property validation against ASTM A29 standards for 1008 steel. The geometry and tolerances are cross-referenced with 1008’s inherent characteristics: low carbon content (0.05-0.10%), excellent formability, and moderate machinability. Key parameters like wall thickness ratios and bend radii are screened against 1008’s ductility limits to prevent cracking during forming operations. Any design feature exceeding 1008’s typical draw ratio of 2.0:1 triggers immediate notification.

The AI quotation engine then processes the validated CAD data using a material-specific algorithm. For 1008 steel, this calculates costs based on empirically derived machining time factors (accounting for its 53% machinability rating relative to 1212 steel), cold-working allowances, and secondary operation requirements. The quotation explicitly references 1008’s properties in the technical assumptions section, including baseline yield strength (285 MPa) and tensile strength (325 MPa) ranges. Customers receive a material compliance disclaimer confirming adherence to specified mechanical properties.

During Design for Manufacturability (DFM) analysis, Honyo’s engineering team conducts a dedicated 1008 steel review. This phase addresses critical material constraints: minimum bend radii (1.5x material thickness), avoidance of sharp notches due to limited notch toughness, and recommendations for post-forming stress relief if dimensional stability is critical. The DFM report specifies required tooling adjustments—such as increased clearance in stamping dies to accommodate 1008’s springback—and flags any features requiring secondary plating due to the steel’s poor corrosion resistance. All recommendations reference SAE J403 chemical composition limits.

Production execution follows a material-controlled protocol. Raw 1008 steel stock undergoes incoming inspection with certified mill test reports verifying carbon content (0.05-0.10%), manganese (0.25-0.50%), and sulfur (<0.050%). Machining parameters are set per Honyo’s 1008-specific database: surface speeds limited to 100-150 SFM for milling to prevent built-up edge, and coolant formulations optimized for low-carbon steel chip control. Forming operations implement progressive die sequencing validated for 1008’s Erichsen cupping value (≥6.0 mm). In-process checks measure hardness (typically 50-70 HRB) and surface roughness to confirm no micro-cracking.

Final delivery includes comprehensive material traceability documentation. Each shipment contains:
ASTM A29 certified material test report with actual chemical composition
Dimensional inspection report referencing GD&T callouts
Surface finish verification (Ra ≤ 1.6 μm for machined surfaces)
Mechanical property confirmation from batch-tested samples

The following table summarizes critical 1008 steel property validations at each process stage:

Process Phase	Key 1008 Steel Property Checks	Validation Method	Acceptance Criteria
CAD Upload	Carbon content suitability, Bend radius feasibility	Automated geometry analysis against material limits	Bend radius ≥ 1.5× thickness; No sharp internal corners < 0.8mm
AI Quote	Machinability impact, Formability constraints	Algorithmic cost modeling using material databases	Machining time factors applied per 1008’s 53% machinability rating
DFM	Springback compensation, Notch sensitivity	Engineer-led simulation and rule-based checking	Minimum bend radius 1.5× thickness; No stress concentrators in high-load areas
Production	Chemical composition, Hardness consistency	Mill certs + in-house OES testing; Rockwell B testing	C: 0.05-0.10%, Mn: 0.25-0.50%; Hardness 50-70 HRB
Delivery	Final mechanical properties	Tensile testing per ASTM E8 on sacrificial coupons	Yield: 285 MPa min, Tensile: 325 MPa min, Elongation: 35% min

This integrated approach ensures 1008 steel components meet functional requirements while mitigating inherent material limitations. Honyo Prototype maintains strict process controls for low-carbon steels, with all production data archived for full traceability from raw material to finished part. Customers receive not just components, but verified material performance documentation essential for critical applications.

---

Start Your Project

For detailed information on 1008 steel properties, including mechanical characteristics, chemical composition, and application suitability, contact Susan Leo at [email protected].

Honyo Prototype’s manufacturing facility in Shenzhen ensures precision and scalability for prototyping and low-volume production using 1008 low-carbon steel.

Property	Value
Material	AISI 1008 Cold Rolled Steel
Tensile Strength	~340 MPa (typical)
Yield Strength	~285 MPa (typical)
Elongation	20% (in 2″)
Hardness	~75 HRB (typical)
Carbon Content	0.08% (nominal)
Formability	Excellent
Weldability	Good

Reach out to Susan Leo for material certifications, DFM support, or sample requests.

---