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The main difference between 1018 and 1095 steel is in their carbon content. Due to the high carbon content in 1095 steel, it is harder and stronger than low-carbon 1018 steel. This is the main reason for their varying application. Let’s explore more to help you pick the right one for your project:
What is 1018 Steel?
1018 steel falls under the low-carbon steel group. The last two digits, ‘18’ refer to the percentage of its carbon composition of 0.18% (approx). So, by lower carbon content, you can guess this steel is not so strong for heavy-duty applications. However, for general uses like pins, bolts, screws, etc., 1018 steel is a great choice.
Moreover, they are soft steel, which boosts its flexibility and machinability. So, using 1018 steel, you can manufacture products or machine parts with complex designs that require extended welding.
What is 1095 Steel?
1095 steel is a high-carbon steel containing 0.95% (approx) carbon of its total composition. Due to the presence of higher carbon content, it is more robust and highly suitable for heavy-duty applications. Besides carbon, 1095 steel also contains other elements like manganese, silicon, and phosphorus, extending its strength and durability.
Moreover, 1095 steel supports heat treatment. That is, you can increase its hardness and strength by heating. It has better edge retention and durability, making 1095 steel a popular choice for knives. You can also use this steel for swords and axes due to its hardness and sharpness.
What are The Differences Between 1018 Steel and 1095 Steel?
Chemical Composition
The main difference in the chemical composition of 1018 and 1095 lies in their carbon composition. 1018 steel has more carbon content than 1095. However, other alloying elements, except manganese, have similar qualities in 1018 and 1095. 1018 steel has more manganese than 1095. This increases the ductility and machinability of 1018 steel.
| Alloying Element | 1018 steel | 1095 steel |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon | 0.15% – 0.20% | 0.90% – 1.03% |
| Manganese | 0.60% – 0.90% | 0.30% – 0.50% |
| Sulfur | 0.05% (max) | ≤ 0.050% |
| Phosphorous | 0.04% (max) | ≤ 0.040% |
| Iron | Balanced | 98.38% – 98.8% |
Physical Properties
The density of 1018 steel and 1095 steel is nearly equal. The density of 1018 steel is 7.87g/cm3, and the density of 1095 steel is 7.85 g/cm3. So, the difference is only 0.02g/cm,3 which is negligible.
However, there is a visible difference in melting point. The melting point of 1018 steel usually ranges from 1,420°C–1,460°C. In contrast, the melting point of 1095 steel is 1515°C. That is, it has better thermal stability than 1018 steel.
Mechanical Properties
1018 and 1095 have a significant difference when it comes to mechanical properties. Due to having more carbon content, 1095 steel is naturally more durable and has greater strength. This also boosts the tongue ess and hardness of the steel.
In contrast, 1018 steel has lower tensile strength than 1095 steel. So, you can clearly understand 1018 steel is not as strong as 1095. However, 1018 is more flexible due to its higher elongation at break.
| Mechanical Properties | 1018 steel | 1095 steel |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 440 MPa | 685 MPa |
| Shear modulus | 80 GPa | 80.0 GPa |
| Yield strength | 370 MPa | 525 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 15% | 10% |
| Elastic Modulus | 205 GPa | 190-210 GPa |
| Poisson’s ratio | 0.29 | 0.27-0.30 |
| Hardness, Brinell | 126 | 197 |
Thermal Properties
1095 steel has a specific heat capacity of 450 J/kg·K which is less than 486 J/kg·K of 1018 steel. This means 1018 is more thermally stable as it needs more energy to heat up. In contrast, 1095 steel quickly heats up or cools down due to having a lower specific heat capacity.
Again, the thermal conductivity of 1018 steel is better than 1that of 095 steel. This makes 1018 steel more suitable for applications that require heat dissipation.
| Thermal Properties | 1018 steel | 1095 steel |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal Conductivity | 51.9 W/m·K at 25°C | 44.5 W/m·K at 25°C |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 486 J/kg·K | 450 J/kg·K |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 12.1 µm/m·K at 20°C | 11.7 µm/m·K at 20°C |
Heat Treatment
Steel goes through heat treatment to improve its hardness. Due to having low carbon content, 1018 steel doesn’t respond much to heat treatment for hardening. But you can easily hot work them.
In contrast, 1095 steel, havinga high carbon content, is highly favorable for heat treatment. It supports both heat and cold treatment for hardening. The temperatures for different treatments for 1018 and 1095 steel are as follows:
| Heat Treatment | 1018 steel | 1095 steel |
|---|---|---|
| Forging | 996°C-1260°C | 955°C to 1177°C |
| Annealing (followed by furnace cooling) | 899°C (1650°F) | 899°C (1650°F) |
| Tempering | 150°C – 200°C | 372 to 705°C (700 to 1300°F) |
Machinability and Weldability
1018 steel is softer than 1095 steel due to its low carbon content. This boosts the machinability and weldability of 1018 steel. The tools don’t go through much wear and tear while machining 1018 steel.
In contrast, 1095 steel is hard, making machining difficult. The cutting tools go through significant wear and tear due to their hardness. Again, welding with 1095 steel is also challenging and expensive. It requires preheating and post-weld treatment.
Therefore, for applications that require better machinability and welding, 1018 steel is better. And if hardness and wear resistance are prioritized, 1095 steel is best.
Application
1018 steel is mostly used for general applications and high-volume screw machine parts. For instance, in making shafts, gears, axles, pins, spindles, and rods, 1018 steel is used.
On the other hand, 1095 steel is a cutting tool and application that needs sharp edging. For instance, knives, razors, scissors, dies and punches.
Cost
By comparing prices, 1018 steel is very affordable compared to 1095 steel. The greater percentage of carbon in 1095 steel increases its manufacturing cost. Besides, the implementation of heat treatments for hardening also contributes to the increased pricing.
However, the increased price of 1095 steel is worth it as it brings high strength and better wear resistance compared to 1018 steel.
Advantages
The greatest advantage of 1018 steel is its easy machining, weldability, and flexibility. Besides, it also requires less manufacturing cost and is widely available. On the other hand, 1095 is known for its hardness and higher tensile strength.
Advantage of 1018 Steel
- Affordable
- Easy to machine
- Good weldability
- High ductility
Advantage of 1095 Steel
- High hardenability
- Excellent wear resistance
- High tensile strength
- High durability
- Ideal for tools and cutting edges
Limitations
The major drawback of 1018 steel is its limited strength and hardenability. This is not suitable for heavy-duty applications dealing with heavy loads. On the other hand, 1095 steel’s disadvantages are its poor machinability, welding, and high cost.
Disadvantages of 1018 Steel
- Low hardenability
- Limited wear resistance
- Lower strength
- Not suitable for cutting tools
Disadvantages of 1095 Steel
- Poor machinability
- Low weldability
- Higher cost
- Limited ductility
Which Is Best For Your Application: 1018 Steel vs 1095 Steel?
While choosing between 1018 and 1095 steels, you must determine your application requirements. If it requires high load capacity, the strength of 1095 steel is enough to back it up. Besides, they have superior edge retention. So, you can use 1095 steel for manufacturing tools like knives, scissors, etc., that require sharp edges.
However, if you need high ductility for machining and welding, 1018 steel is better than 1095 steel. You can use this steel for general application that doesn’t require high strength or hardness. For instance, if you are manufacturing pins or shafts, go with 1018 steel.
Budget is another consideration when selecting between 1018 and 1095 steel. If you are on a tight budget, 1018 steel is an affordable solution. Nevertheless, if your application requires greater strength, choosing 1018 steel just for its low price won’t be a wise decision. So, spending more on 1095 steel for extended hardness and higher strength is worth it.
Wrapping Up
1018 steel and 1095 steel fall under carbon steel grades. For applications requiring edge retention and higher strength, go with 1095 steel. If you need better weldability, forming, and machining facilities, 1018 steel is a better choice.
If you’re interested, you can also check out our comparison article on 1018 steel and 4041 steel.
However, for a reliable CNC machining service, Richconn is here to help you out! With over two decades of experience, we are a leading CNC machining service provider in China. Besides steel, we also offer CNC machining services for other metals like aluminum, stainless steel, brass, copper, and more. For details, contact us ASAP!
FAQs
How much stress can 1018 steel withstand?
Considering tensile strength, 1018 steel can withstand from 440 MPa to 480 MPa. However, if you consider yield strength, it can withstand up to 400 MPa.
What is 1095 steel’s maximum hardness?
According to the Rockwell Hardness Scale, 1095 steel can achieve a maximum hardness range from 58 to 62 HRC. However, this is possible only with proper heat treatment.
How much impact energy does 1018 steel have?
The impact energy of 1018 steel depends on the temperature at which it is tested. For example- the average impact energy of Body-Centered Cubic (BCC) 1018 steel at 100°C is 282.01 ± 3.58 J and at -196°C is 2.25 ± 3.58 J.
Can you heat treat 1018 steel?
Yes, you can heat treat 1018 steel, although it’s not as common as in high-carbon steel. It supports annealing, normalizing, forging, and tempering.
What is 1018 steel good for?
1018 steel is good for general applications requiring high machinability and welding needs. For instance, you can use them to manufacture oil tool slips, studs, special bolts, machinery parts, etc.
