1018 vs 1045 Steel: What’s the Difference?

Steel is a type of metal that is used in every industry and caters to many applications. There are many different types of steel with various grades and characteristics.

Among those, grades 1018 and 1045 steel are also widely popular. The guide below features a detailed comparison of 1018 vs 1045 steel, so let's take a look.

What is 1018 Steel?

1018 steel is also called mild steel as it has less carbon content. It also consists of a small percentage of manganese and is known for its ductile and hard nature. 1018 steel is heat-treatable and highly machinable.

Pros of 1018 Steel

• 1018 steel is very easy to weld, machine, and form.
• It doesn't need any pre and post-heating for the purpose of welding.
• 1018 steel is suitable for many cold-forming methods like bending.
• It can be case-hardened using the process of carbon-nitriding and carburizing.

Cons of 1018 Steel

• 1018 steel has a low resistance against corrosion.
• It has low ductility and yield strength, which prevents edge retention.

What is 1045 Steel?

1045 steel is a medium carbon steel which has a high hardness as well as strength. It is used in applications that need more strength, like machinery components, gears, shafts, and axles.

Pros of 1045 Steel

• Steel 1045 offers high tensile strength and hardness, which make it suitable for high-strength applications.
• It is easy to machine and can take many forms and shapes.
• It is even weldable and can easily create components that are achieved by welding.

Cons of 1045 Steel

• Steel 1045 lacks corrosion resistance and cannot be subjected to harsh conditions without protective coatings.
• It can be hardened through heat treatments only to a limited extent.
• If it is heat treated or welded inappropriately, there is a chance of it developing cracks.

Comparing 1018 and 1045 Steel

The section below features a detailed comparison of 1018 and 1045 steel.

Chemical Composition

1018 Steel: It is a low-carbon steel and has around 0.15 to 0.20% of carbon followed by 0.6 to 0.9% of manganese.

1045 Steel: 1045 steel uses medium carbon steel, which has 0.43% to 0.50% carbon and 0.6 to 0.9% manganese.

Corrosion Resistance

1018 Steel: It has poor corrosion resistance and can be subjected to rusting if protective coatings are not applied.

1045 Steel: It also has poor corrosion resistance and may need treatments and coating to prevent rust and oxidation.

Weldability

1018 Steel: It has excellent weldability due to less carbon content.

1045 Steel: It is moderately weldable as it has a high content of carbon which can lead to cracks during welding.

Elasticity

1018 Steel: 1018 steel has low elasticity as it has low carbon.

1045 Steel: 1045 steel has a high carbon content and, therefore, high elasticity, making it stiff.

Yield Strength

1018 Steel: 1018 steel has a yield strength of 370 MPa which offers it moderate strength.

1045 Steel: It has a yield strength of 450 MPa, and it is suitable for more strength-oriented applications.

Hardness

1018 Steel: It has a Brinell Hardness of 121 and hence can be easily machined.

1045 Steel: It has a Brinell Hardness of 170 which adds high durability and wear resistance.

Temperature Resistance

1018 Steel: 1018 steel has the ability to tolerate moderate temperature.

1045 Steel: The high content of carbon makes it highly temperature resistant and it can handle high temperatures.

Thermal Conductivity

1018 Steel: The low carbon content makes it equipped with high-temperature conductivity.

1045 Steel: 1045 steel has a low thermal conductivity compared to 1018.

Formability

1018 Steel: 1018 is highly ductile and hence offers excellent formability, which makes it suitable for machining, forging, and bending.

1045 Steel: 1045 steel has moderate formability as it is rich in carbon, which makes it less ductile.

Heat Treatment

1018 Steel: It offers a very low response to heat treatments and is suitable for cold-drawn or annealed processes.

1045 Steel: It is highly responsive to heat treatment and can be subjected to tempering, which helps achieve high hardness.

Cost Composition

1018 Steel: 1018 steel is affordable as it has high machinability and simple composition.

1045 Steel: 1045 steel gas has a high carbon content, and hence it is more expensive.

Mechanical Properties

1018 Steel vs 1045 Steel: Which One is Right for You?

The selection between 1018 and 1045 steel is dependent on many factors.

1018 is suitable for high-volume manufacturing and welding, where the significance of yield and tensile strength is not very high. However, 1045 is usually selected for applications that need high strength.

Applications of 1018 vs 1045 Steel

The applications of 1018 and 1045 steel are as follows:

• 1018 steel is used in applications that need high weldability, strength, and formability, like machine parts, couplings, bolts, and studs.
• 1045 steel is used in applications that require a high hardness, wear resistance, and enhanced strength. It is mostly used in shafts, gears, and axles.

Conclusion

Selection of 1018 and 1045 steel is carried out based on the application requirements. If you have read the guide above, you must be aware of all the properties of each grade.

We at DEK can assist you in selecting the right type of steel and manufacturing high-quality components. So, contact us today to discuss your application requirements.

FAQs

Is 1018 or 1045 stronger?

1018 is not very strong as it lacks carbon, whereas 1045 has a high carbon content, which makes it stronger.

What is equivalent to 1045 steel?

The materials equivalent to 1045 steel are 50E (CSN), 080M46 (BS) and C45E (ISO).

Is 1045 steel magnetic?

Yes, 1045 steel possesses magnetism.