1018 Steel Shafts

Low-carbon mild steel — weldable and easy to machine, a solid all-around pick.

At a glance

Stocked condition	Cold finished
Machinability	Good
Weldability	Excellent — the most weldable steel we stock
Corrosion resistance	Low — protect it like any carbon steel
Hardening	Case-hardens well (carburizing); not through-hardenable
Density (nominal)	0.284 lb/in³
Food contact	No
Magnetic	Yes

1018 is the general-purpose mild steel: low carbon, no free-machining additives, and predictable in every downstream process. It welds cleanly, case-hardens well when a wear surface is needed, and cold-finished bar gives a good baseline of strength and straightness for shafting.

Choose it over 12L14 when the part's life doesn't end at the lathe — welding a sprocket boss on, carburizing a journal, or brazing. If the shaft will only ever be machined, 12L14 does the same job for less.

Configure a 1018 part →

Any geometry in the configurator — diameters, threads, keyseats, grooves, holes, tapers — can be machined in 1018. Pick the material in the sidebar and the price updates live.

When to choose 1018

You or your fabricator will weld to the shaft.
A journal or wear surface will be case-hardened after machining.
You want a plain, paper-trail-friendly mild steel with no lead.

Consider instead

12L14 — for lower cost when no welding or hardening is planned.
1045 — when the shaft needs more core strength.
1117 — for easier machining that still case-hardens.

Typical applications

Weld-on shafts and axles
Case-hardened pins and journals
Machine bases and fixture shafts
General bracketry and spacers

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — 1018 is a low-carbon steel and welds cleanly with any common process, no preheat needed at shaft sizes. It is the grade to pick when welding is part of the plan.

Not through-hardened — the carbon is too low. It case-hardens well by carburizing, giving a hard skin over a tough core, which suits journals and wear pins.

Pick 1018 if the part will be welded or case-hardened. Pick 12L14 if it will only be machined; it cuts faster and costs less, but its lead content makes it unweldable.

Stocked as 1018 CF — cold finished. Material and condition are paired — each grade ships in one condition optimized for our process; see all grades on the materials page.