SAE 1012 Free Cutting Steel
We are SAE 1012 Free Cutting Steel Manufacturers, Suppliers, and Exporters in Mumbai, India. STEEL MART is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company established in 1986, with decades of experience supplying high-quality free-cutting and carbon engineering steels to industries worldwide. We specialize in manufacturing and supplying SAE 1012 Free Cutting / Low Carbon Steels (SAE 1012 / AISI 1012 / ASTM A108 Grade 1012 / DIN 1.0301 / C12) that comply with national and international quality standards for precision turned shafts, case-hardened pins, automotive sleeves, hydraulic connectors, and high-speed CNC lathe components. SAE 1012 is a low-carbon engineering steel specified under American Standards (AISI / SAE) for applications requiring excellent cold formability, good machining rates, high core toughness, and superior carburizing case-hardening performance. Formulated with 0.10–0.15% Carbon and 0.30–0.60% Manganese, SAE 1012 provides a clean balance between soft ductility and mechanical strength. In bright cold drawn condition (+C), SAE 1012 delivers high dimensional accuracy (h9/h10 bar tolerances), scale-free bright surface finish, and improved yield strength (320–420 MPa). It responds exceptionally well to case carburizing and carbonitriding, producing a wear-resistant surface layer (58–62 HRC) over a shock-resistant core. SAE 1012 Free Cutting Steel is widely specified across automotive linkage pins, steering sleeves, hydraulic fittings, electrical motor shafts, and turned industrial fasteners.
Our SAE 1012 Free Cutting Steels are 100% Prime – Tested & Guaranteed, with consistent chemical composition and high machining performance. Every order is supplied with proper Mill Test Certificates (MTC) per EN 10204 3.1 certification. STEEL MART guarantees strict quality inspection and prompt delivery.
What is SAE 1012 Free Cutting Steel?
SAE 1012 Free Cutting / Low Carbon Steel (AISI 1012 / SAE 1012 / ASTM A108 / DIN 1.0301 / C12) is a low-carbon engineering steel designed for applications requiring a combination of good machinability, high cold formability, and reliable carburizing response. Containing 0.10–0.15% Carbon and 0.30–0.60% Manganese, SAE 1012 machines smoothly on high-speed CNC turning centers while offering sufficient carbon content for uniform case hardening. In bright cold drawn condition (+C), SAE 1012 achieves high dimensional precision (h9/h10 bar tolerances), clean scale-free surface finish, and improved yield strength (320–420 MPa).
75% Machinability
Clean automatic turning performance with low tool wear.
380–480 MPa Tensile
Cold drawn condition provides uniform mechanical strength.
0.10–0.15% Carbon
Optimized carbon range ensures rapid carburizing case response.
Case Carburizing
Carburizes to 58–62 HRC surface case over a tough shock-resistant core.
Cold Heading & Bending
Soft ferrite matrix enables upset cold forming & swaging operations.
Automotive Link Pins
Extensively used for automotive linkage pins, steering sleeves, & turned bushings.
Why Choose STEEL MART for SAE 1012 Free Cutting Steel
STEEL MART is an established stockist and supplier of SAE 1012 Free Cutting Steel bars with over 40 years of metallurgical experience. We maintain strict quality control to guarantee chemical purity, dimensional straightness, and consistent turning performance.
Our extensive warehouse inventory includes SAE 1012 round, hexagon, and square bars in ready stock for immediate loading and global dispatch. Every consignment is accompanied by 100% prime Mill Test Certificates (EN 10204 3.1).
Chemical Composition of SAE 1012 Steel
| Element | Composition (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.10 – 0.15 % |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.30 – 0.60 % |
| Sulphur (S) | 0.050 % Max |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.040 % Max |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.15 – 0.35 % |
Equivalent Grades of SAE 1012 Steel
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| AISI / SAE | SAE 1012 / AISI 1012 |
| DIN / W.Nr | 1.0301 / C12 |
| BS 970 | 045A12 |
| JIS | S12C |
Mechanical Properties of SAE 1012 Steel (Cold Drawn)
Manufacturing & Processing of SAE 1012 Steel
Hot Rolling
Hot rolling to form uniform ferrite-pearlite micro-structure.
Precision Cold Drawing (+C)
Cold drawing to achieve tight h9/h10 bar tolerances and smooth bright finish.
Case Carburizing (Optional)
Carburized at 880–920°C for wear-resistant surface cases up to 58–62 HRC.
SAE 1012 Industry Applications
Automotive Link Pins & Sleeves
Precision link pins, clevis pins, steering sleeves, & turned bushings.
Hydraulic Hose Fittings & Nipples
High-pressure hydraulic hose fittings, tube adapters, & valve stems.
Electric Motor Spindles
Small electric motor shafts, appliance spindles, & rotor shafts.
Turned Industrial Fasteners
High-speed turned studs, screws, threaded rods, & cold headed pins.
Availability and Customization
| Profiles Available | Round Bars, Hexagon Bars, Square Bars, Flat Bars |
| Size Range | Round: 4 mm to 150 mm | Hex: 6 mm to 75 mm AF |
| Condition | Bright Cold Drawn (+C), Normalized, or Hot Rolled |
| Tolerances | h9, h10 precision tolerances per ISO 286 |
| Certification | 100% Prime Mill Test Certificate (EN 10204 3.1) |
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SAE 1012 Free Cutting Steel (AISI 1012 / SAE 1012 / DIN 1.0301 / C12) is an excellent low-carbon engineering steel offering dependable turning performance, cold formability, and superior case carburizing response. Supplied by STEEL MART with strict quality assurance and full EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
SAE 1012 contains 0.10–0.15% Carbon, 0.30–0.60% Manganese, 0.15–0.35% Silicon, max 0.040% Phosphorus, and max 0.050% Sulphur.
SAE 1012 carburizes rapidly and uniformly to develop a 58–62 HRC wear-resistant surface layer while maintaining core toughness.