ASM CS-251 PDF

1038 and 1038H are wrought medium-carbon (carbon = 0.34–0.43%) non-alloy steels that are used in the normalized, cold worked, or quenched and tempered condition. 1038 and 1038H may also be flame or induction hardened, nitrided, or nitrocarburized. These steels are widely used for moderately and highly stressed parts that require higher strength levels than can be achieved by the lower carbon grades, and where the expense of an alloy steel is not justified. Owing to their low hardenability, their use in the quench and tempered condition is not recommended for large sizes, as the improvement in mechanical properties over the normalized condition is insufficient to justify the additional cost of heat treatment. 1038 and 1038H are among the most widely used steels for threaded fasteners. Their popularity stems from their excellent cold-heading properties, low cost, and wide availability.