CNC Turning 1018 Steel from VT machining delivers precision 1018 Steel parts made to your exact drawing. CNC turning rotates the workpiece against a single-point tool to produce cylindrical features, threads and grooves, with parameters tuned to 1018 Steel, which is strong, economical and widely available.
CNC Turning Capability for 1018 Steel
- Carbon/low-alloy grades
- Economical & weldable
- Tolerance to ±0.02 mm
- Hardenable by heat treat
1018 Steel Material Data
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 585 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 450 MPa |
| Hardness | 170 HB |
| Melting point | 1420–1460 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 51.9 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 11.5 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 9% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 57% |
| Grades we run | 1018, 1045, 1215, A36, S45C, St37, 4140 (see alloy steel) |
Published typical values for 1045. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Rust. Bare steel flash-rusts within hours in a humid container, so parts are oiled or passivated before packing unless you specify otherwise.
Machining 1018 Steel with CNC Turning
The machinability of 1018 Steel is good to excellent depending on carbon content; free-machining grades cut cleanly. For CNC Turning we select tooling, feeds, speeds and coolant to match, keeping the 1018 Steel workpiece stable and the result accurate.
Because we machine 1018 Steel regularly, proven settings shorten setup and keep quality repeatable across reorders.
Achievable Tolerances for CNC Turning 1018 Steel
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Outside diameter | ±0.05 mm | ±0.005 mm |
| Bore diameter | H9 | H6 |
| Length / shoulder position | ±0.10 mm | ±0.020 mm |
| Concentricity OD to ID | 0.05 mm TIR | 0.010 mm TIR |
| Roundness | 0.02 mm | 0.005 mm |
| Thread class | 6g / 2A | 4h / 3A |
| Surface finish, as turned | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 0.4 µm |
Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.
Design Tips for CNC Turning 1018 Steel
A few design choices make a real difference to cost and quality. Consistent diameters, standard thread forms and avoiding extremely long, slender features help 1018 Steel turned parts stay concentric and economical. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
We complete 1018 Steel components with the secondary steps your drawing calls for. We arrange heat treatment, surface treatment, marking and assembly as needed. Tell us the final spec and we will plan the full route so parts arrive ready to use.
CNC Turning Tolerances & Surface Finish
Turned 1018 Steel holds diameter tolerances to about ±0.005 mm with concentricity within 0.01 mm and good roundness. Turned finishes of Ra 0.4–0.8 µm are achievable with finishing passes and sharp tooling.
The tightest tolerances are reserved for the features your drawing flags as critical. Share your tolerance scheme and we will confirm what is realistic before quoting.
CNC Turning Quality & Inspection
Consistent quality comes from disciplined process control. Critical dimensions on 1018 Steel parts are checked in-process and verified at final inspection using calibrated instruments and, where required, CMM measurement. Full documentation — dimensional reports, mill certs, FAIR — is available when your programme needs it.
Why 1018 Steel?
Specifying 1018 Steel for CNC Turning 1018 Steel is usually about its properties: strong, economical and widely available. Tell us the condition you need and we machine to it.
Applications of CNC Turning 1018 Steel
CNC Turning of 1018 Steel supports parts across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor, energy and general industrial sectors. We scale from one-off prototypes to ongoing production while holding the same quality.
How to Order CNC Turning 1018 Steel
Ordering 1018 Steel parts is straightforward. Provide the drawing, material, quantity and any certification needs. Our engineers reply — in English — with feasibility, pricing and a realistic lead time, usually within one business day.
Finishing Options for 1018 Steel
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Black oxide | 1–2 µm | Mild corrosion resistance, no dimensional change |
| Zinc plate + clear/yellow | 5–12 µm | ASTM B633, general corrosion protection |
| Nickel plate (electroless) | 10–25 µm | Uniform in bores, 500 HV after bake |
| Phosphate | 5–10 µm | Paint key, mild lubricity |
| Powder coat | 60–120 µm | RAL colours |
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.
Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.
What We Need to Quote CNC Turning 1018 Steel
- GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
- MaterialThe exact 1018 Steel grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
- QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
- TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
- FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
- DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.
Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.
1018 Steel in Other Processes
Related
Send the drawing, the 1018 Steel condition and the quantity — pricing and lead time come back the same or next business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Can VT machining make custom 1018 Steel parts to my drawing?
Yes. 1018 Steel 1018 Steel turning is made to order from your CAD/2D drawing. Share your geometry, material grade, tolerance and quantity and we will confirm feasibility, lead time and pricing.
What surface finish is achievable on 1018 Steel with CNC Turning?
Surface finish on 1018 Steel is controlled to your specification; we confirm the achievable Ra against your callout.
Why is 1018 Steel a good choice for CNC Turning?
1018 Steel is strong, economical and widely available, which makes it well suited to CNC Turning. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished 1018 Steel turning part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.
Does CNC Turning 1018 Steel require dedicated tooling?
Most 1018 Steel turning work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.
How clean are the edges produced by CNC Turning on 1018 Steel?
Machined 1018 Steel edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for CNC Turning 1018 Steel?
CNC Turning prototypes for 1018 Steel can be produced quickly and scaled to series production. Send your drawing and quantity and we will advise lead time and any minimum order.