Mild Steel
Low-carbon steel (1018, A36) with good weldability and formability. Cost-effective for structural parts, brackets, and general-purpose fabrication.
About Mild Steel
Mild steel (low-carbon steel) is the workhorse of manufacturing — affordable, widely available, and easy to machine, weld, and form. With carbon content below 0.25%, mild steel offers excellent weldability and formability while providing adequate strength for structural applications.
FabRapid machines AISI 1018 (cold-rolled) and ASTM A36 (hot-rolled structural) mild steel for brackets, frames, fixtures, and general-purpose components. Our sheet metal operations handle mild steel from 0.5 mm to 12 mm thickness with laser cutting, press brake bending, and MIG/TIG welding.
Mild steel requires surface protection against corrosion — our finishing options include powder coating, zinc plating, black oxide, and hot-dip galvanizing to suit indoor, outdoor, and marine environments.
Material Properties
Compatible Manufacturing Processes
Mild Steel can be processed using these manufacturing methods.
Available Surface Finishes
Surface treatments compatible with Mild Steel.
Common Applications
Design Guidelines for Mild Steel
Mild steel is cost-effective for large, structural parts where weight is not critical
Always specify a protective finish — mild steel rusts quickly without surface treatment
Minimum bend radius: 1× material thickness for cold-rolled, 1.5× for hot-rolled
For weldments, specify 1018 or A36 — these grades have excellent weldability with no preheat required
Avoid designing parts thinner than 0.8 mm for CNC machining — use sheet metal processes for thin gauges
Mild Steel FAQ
1018 is a cold-rolled steel with tighter dimensional tolerances, better surface finish, and more consistent mechanical properties. A36 is a hot-rolled structural steel that is less expensive and available in larger sections but has wider tolerances. Use 1018 for precision machined parts; A36 for welded structures and frames.
Mild steel (< 0.25% carbon) cannot be significantly hardened through conventional heat treatment. For a hard surface, case-hardening processes like carburizing or nitriding are used. If hardness is required throughout, consider medium-carbon (4140) or high-carbon (4340) alloy steels instead.
Several options are available: powder coating (best for outdoor structural parts), zinc plating (good general protection), black oxide with oil (indoor/low-corrosion environments), hot-dip galvanizing (extreme outdoor/marine), or painting. The choice depends on the environment, cosmetic requirements, and budget.
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