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Audience
Machining, steel manufacturing, automobile manufacturing, construction industry
1018 brief introduction
It is low-carbon steel with lower carbon content, about 0.17% to 0.24%, and a manganese content about 0.70% to 1.00%. It is also have small silicon, phosphorus and sulfur,and other small alloying elements. Because it is a mild steel, 1018 steel of strength and hardness relatively lower, but it has good weldability and formability. It also has good machinability,It is normally used in application that need these points.
1045 brief introduction
This is a carbon steel of United States standard that belongs AISI (United States Iron and Steel Institute) classification. It has a carbon content might be 0.43% and 0.50%, manganese content maybe between 0.60% and 0.90%. 1045 steel may also has small amounts of silicon, phosphorus, and sulfur. Due to its higher content of carbon,1045 steel has higher strength and hardness, and also has good wear resistance. It has higher yield strength and tensile strength, but relatively bad solderability, and may requiring preheating and subsequent stress relief treatment when welding
Chemical composition
| 1018 | 1045 | |
| C | 0.17 – 0.24% | 0.42 – 0.50% |
| Si | 0.17 – 0.37% | 0.17 – 0.37% |
| Mn | 0.70 – 1.00% | 0.50 – 0.80% |
| P | 0.035% max | 0.035% max |
| S | 0.035% max | 0.035% max |
| Cr | ≤0.25% | ≤0.25% |
| Ni | ≤0.25% | ≤0.25% |
Mechanical properties
| 1018 | 1045 | |
| tensile strength | ≥440 MPa | 570-770 MPa |
| Yield strength | ≥370 MPa | 345-560 MPa |
| Elongation | 15-25% | 14-25% |
| Section shrinkage (ψ) | ≥40% | ≥40% |
| Impact power (Akv) | 40-80 J | ＞54 J |
| hardness | ≤126 HB or ≤71 HRC | ≤229 HB or ≤197 HB |
Common features
Good mechanical properties：It has high strength and good toughness.
Excellent machinability：It is easy to perform machine and cold forming operations
Better weldability：A variety of welding processes can be performed.
Cost benefits：Compare alloy steel,the cost is lower.
Heat treatment response：It can improve performance by heat treatment
Difference between 1018 and 1045
AISI 1018 is kind of low carbon steel，It is normally used in manufacturing auto parts, mechanical parts, constructed materials, etc. It is suitable for applications that need good processability, such as cold form operations, and is also normally used in manufacturing daily supplies and crafts that require low material performance.
AISI 1045 is a medium carbon steel,it is commonly used in manufacturing parts that require high strength and wear resistance,Such as gears, shafts, bolts, connecting rods, etc., are often used in machinery manufacturing, automotive industry, oil and gas industry and other fields.
How to choose?
We can choose from the following:：
Strength and hardness requirements：
If applications require high strength and hardness,such as bearings, gears, shafts, etc，so AISI 1045 is better choose，because it is medium carbon steel with high carbon content which provides better Malleability and capriciousness
For applications that require lower strength and good toughness,such as some structure parts or auto vehicles,AISI 1018 might be more suitable,because it is low carbon steel that has good ductility and toughness.
Processability：
If the parts require complex procession，such as cold formed or machined，AISI 1018 due to lower carbon content which make it easier to process.
1045Steel,while also machined,may require more processing conditions due to higher carbon content.
Weldability：
1018 steel generally has better weldability because its lower carbon content, it is suitable for application that require welding.
1045 steel weldability is average maybe require preheating and subsequent stress relief.
Heat treatment：
1018 also making heat treatment that not require application with high strength.
If heat treatment is needed to improve hardness and strength, 1045 steel is a better choice because it respond better to heat treatment.
Cost：
1018 Steel is usually low cost and suitable for cost-sensitive applications。
1045 Steel might be cost slightly more because it higher properties.
Application environment：
If the application requires higher level of corrosion resistance,it maybe necessary to consider addition surface treatments or choose other materials, because of steel is particularly resistant to corrosion.
Conclusion：1018 steel vs 1045 steel
The choice of AISI 1018 or AISI 1045 steel should be base on application needs: 1045 is more suitable for higher strength and wear resistance; If good weldability and formability are required, or if cost is sensitive, 1018 is preferred.
