1008 Low Carbon Steel: Composition, Properties & JIS Equivalents
AISI/SAE 1008 (SAE J403) is a very low carbon steel with C ≤ 0.10% and Mn 0.30–0.50%. Soft and highly ductile, it is easy to cold head, cold draw, bend and weld, and is common in rivets, wire products and cold-formed parts. It cannot be hardened by quenching.
Overview
1008 is one of the lowest-carbon grades in the SAE 10xx plain carbon series, with carbon ≤ 0.10% and only 0.30–0.50% manganese. Low carbon and manganese mean slow work hardening and little cracking during cold work, so it tolerates heavy cold heading, cold extrusion and deep drawing — and it is among the most weldable carbon steels.
The trade-off is low strength: about 300 MPa tensile as rolled, and too little carbon to harden by quenching. A wear-resistant case can be added by carburizing; for strength, use a medium-carbon steel. Compared with 1010, 1008 has lower carbon and manganese limits, giving slightly better cold formability and slightly lower strength.
Chemical Composition (SAE J403, Long Products)
| Element | Spec Range (%) |
|---|---|
| C (Carbon) | ≤ 0.10 |
| Mn (Manganese) | 0.30 – 0.50 |
| P (Phosphorus) | ≤ 0.040 |
| S (Sulfur) | ≤ 0.050 |
P and S are the SAE J403 limits for long products such as bar and wire rod; flat-rolled products (sheet, strip) are limited to P ≤ 0.030% and S ≤ 0.035%. Silicon and aluminum depend on the deoxidation practice (e.g. aluminum-killed) agreed on the order; cold heading applications usually specify aluminum-killed steel.
Mechanical Properties (Reference)
| Condition | Tensile (MPa) | Yield (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Reduction of Area (%) | Hardness (HB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot rolled | 303 | 170 | 30 | 55 | 86 |
| Cold drawn | 340 | 290 | 20 | 45 | 95 |
Estimated typical values for hot-rolled and cold-drawn bars per SAE J1397 — not guaranteed values. SAE J403 specifies chemistry only, not mechanical properties. Actual values depend on size, cold-drawing reduction and processing.
Heat Treatment & Processing
Hardening
With C ≤ 0.10%, quenching barely raises hardness; 1008 is not used as a hardening or Q+T steel.
Annealing
Process or spheroidize annealing between heavy cold-drawing or cold-heading steps restores ductility and prevents cold-work cracking.
Carburizing
Carburizing or carbonitriding adds a wear-resistant case over a tough low-carbon core, but core strength stays low — for lightly loaded parts only.
Welding
Very low carbon equivalent gives excellent weldability, normally without preheat — suitable for resistance, arc and braze joining.
International Standard Equivalents
| Standard | Equivalent Grade | Correspondence |
|---|---|---|
| AISI/SAE (USA) | 1008 (SAE J403) | Reference standard |
| UNS | G10080 | Identical |
| JIS (Japan) | SWRCH8A (G 3507, cold heading) | Near equivalent |
| JIS (Japan) | SWRM8 (G 3505, low carbon wire rod) | Near equivalent |
| GB (China) | 08 | Near equivalent |
JIS has no bar grade that matches 1008 exactly: SWRCH8A is an aluminum-killed cold heading wire rod and SWRM8 a low carbon wire rod — close in chemistry but specified for different uses. GB/T 699 Grade 08 has a higher manganese range. Where a drawing names a specific standard, follow that standard.
Typical Applications
Cold Heading & Fasteners
Rivets, screw blanks and small cold-headed parts that rely on low work hardening and high ductility.
Wire Products
Nails, wire mesh, welded mesh and low-duty formed wire parts.
Cold-Formed Parts
Cold-bent and cold-extruded brackets, sleeves and deep-drawn parts.
Welded Assemblies
Small welded parts and furniture components where weldability matters more than strength.
Supply Specifications
| Form | Size Range | Stock |
|---|---|---|
| Round bar | Ø 13 – 100 mm | Please inquire |
| Flat bar | Made to order | Please inquire |
Length 5–12 m; cut-to-length available on request. Both round bar and flat bar can be produced to order; please inquire for stock availability.
Material Selection Guide
1008 suits parts made mainly by cold forming or welding with low strength requirements. If machining speed or strength matters, there are better choices.
Slightly more strength, still cold headed or welded
Slightly higher carbon and manganese for a little more strength with good cold formability.
Mainly high-volume machining, no welding
Resulfurized free-machining steel that machines far faster than 1008 but is unsuitable for welding and cold heading.
Part needs Q+T strength
Medium-carbon steel that can be quenched and tempered above HB 200 for loaded parts.
For technical consultation or a quotation, contact the Double Steel sales team via the inquiry form below or LINE. MOQ, port of loading and Incoterms are agreed case by case.
Related Grades
For cross-standard composition and mechanical property tables, see the technical reference tables.
FAQ
- What is 1008 steel?
- AISI/SAE 1008 (SAE J403) is a very low carbon steel: C ≤ 0.10%, Mn 0.30–0.50%, P ≤ 0.040%, S ≤ 0.050%, valued for cold formability and weldability.
- What is the difference between 1008 and 1010?
- 1010 has C 0.08–0.13% and Mn 0.30–0.60%, both slightly higher than 1008, so it is a little stronger; 1008 is slightly better for cold forming. Both are low carbon steels.
- What is the JIS equivalent of 1008?
- JIS has no exact bar equivalent; the usual near equivalents are cold heading wire rod SWRCH8A (JIS G 3507) or low carbon wire rod SWRM8 (JIS G 3505).
- What are the hardness and strength of 1008?
- SAE J1397 estimates: hot rolled about 303 MPa tensile and HB 86; cold drawn about 340 MPa tensile, 290 MPa yield and HB 95.
- Can 1008 be hardened by heat treatment?
- It cannot be quench hardened. Carburizing or carbonitriding can add a wear-resistant case, but core strength stays low, so only lightly loaded parts are suitable.
- How do I request a 1008 quotation from Double Steel?
- Round bar is supplied in Ø 13–100 mm, length 5–12 m with cut-to-length available; both round and flat bar can be produced to order, and stock is by inquiry. Send the grade, form, size, quantity and application through the inquiry form and our sales team will reply.
Or call +886-424078309 or email [email protected]