A36 vs 1018: Differences That Matter When Choosing Your Steel

A36 and 1018 are two of the most common steel grades used in industry, used to build everything from bridges to precision machinery. But deciding which one to use in your application needs careful consideration.

In this article, we’ll discuss both grades and the reasons to select each for your project, including a discussion on mechanical properties, workability, and cost.

Strength, Hardness, and Performance: How A36 vs 1018 Compare in Real Applications

A metal’s alloying elements and production method greatly affect its resulting mechanical properties. This is particularly apparent when comparing A36 with 1018, two types of mild steel that have very different properties.

• Hardness: 1018 has a higher hardness than A36, making it better for a component’s ability to resist abrasion and wear
• Tensile Strength: 1018 has a slightly higher tensile strength, by about 5% typically (when considering cold rolled 1018 and hot rolled A36)
• Yield Strength: 1018 has a much higher yield strength, meaning A36 will start to plastically deform (bend) much sooner under load
• Ductility: A36 is quite a bit more ductile than 1018, shown by the difference in tensile to yield strength, especially when compared to 1018, which has poor ductility in comparison

Fabrication Factors: Machinability, Weldability, and Formability Differences

How easy a metal is to work with can affect part quality, time expenditure, and cost. The following should be considered carefully before selecting a material that will go through manufacturing processes.

• Machinability: 1018 excels in machining operations, allowing a great surface finish, and its higher hardness makes it better suited to shafts and other components, compared to A36
• Weldability: Both steels offer great weldability, both being low carbon, reducing the need for special pre and post heat treatment, depending on application and thickness
• Formality: Both A36 and 1018 are good options for making bent, drawn, or rolled parts. A36’s higher ductility can help in some applications, but 1018’s higher strength can offset this in complex parts

Cost Comparison: When A36 vs 1018 Offers Better Value for Your Project

Cost is a key driver in almost all engineering projects, and with manufacturing being a large part of that, selecting the correct material at the design stage is critical for meeting budgets.

In general, A36 is cheaper than 1018, which is due to the scale at which it is made and the manufacturing process. A36 is used in civil engineering, structural fabrications, and lots of other large-scale uses.

In contrast, 1018 is a more specialised steel, supplied in smaller quantities. Further to this, 1018 is usually made using a cold rolling process, which adds to the cost, compared to hot rolling, used to make A36.

Best Uses for Each Grade: Choosing the Right Steel for Structural or Precision Work

Whether A36 or 1018 is best for your use case depends on several factors, including:

• Precision: With 1018 producing a better surface finish when machined, and being harder and tougher, it is generally better suited for precision parts such as shafts and gears
• Scale: A36 is commonly used for structural applications, meaning it is a better solution for large products, such as bridges, buildings, or other structures.
• Cost: 1018 is more expensive, so if cost is a major consideration, A36 may come out on top. Be sure to consider the associated cost of manufacturing, though.
• Strength: For small but important parts, 1018’s higher tensile strength is likely to be an advantage
• Availability: Certain shapes and sizes; some shapes are easier to obtain than others. For instance, A36 beams, channels and angles are commonly used in structures, and are easy to obtain.

Get Your Mild Steel at Metal Supermarkets

Whether you need A36 structural steel or 1018 for some machined parts, Metals Supermarkets has you covered. As well as common grades of mild steel, various non-ferrous metals are also stocked, including brass, aluminum, and stainless steel.

Find your nearest stockist today, and even get material cut to length, saving time and effort for your project.