What is 1045 steel? Is it mild steel?

No. 1045 is a medium-carbon plain carbon steel, AISI/SAE 1045 (UNS G10450), with 0.43–0.50% carbon and 0.60–0.90% manganese. It is strong and hard, it can be heat treated and it machines well. It is not stainless.

Is 1045 steel easy to machine?

Yes, in normalized or annealed condition. Its AISI machinability rating is about 57%, and we CNC turn and mill it with carbide tooling and coolant. Once hardened it is much harder to cut, so parts are machined first and heat treated after.

Is 1045 steel heat treatable? How do you harden it?

Yes. It can be quenched and tempered to raise strength and hardness, or induction hardened so the surface reaches about 55–60 HRC while the core stays tough. We machine the part and can send it out for heat treatment.

What is the hardness of 1045 steel?

Normalized 1045 is about 170–210 HB (Brinell). Quenched and tempered, it depends on the tempering temperature; induction hardened, the surface reaches about 55–60 HRC.

Can you weld 1045 steel?

Yes, with preheat and slow cooling, because its carbon content can cause cracking near the weld. On critical parts, bolted or pinned joints are preferred.

How much do custom 1045 steel parts cost?

It depends on size, geometry, finish, heat treatment and quantity. As a reference, a 1045 steel pulley of Ø80 × 40 mm with one V-groove and a Ø20 mm bore costs $84.21 USD for 1 part, $22.50 each at 25 and $20.01 at 100. Upload your file to get the exact price of your part instantly.

Do you machine custom 1045 steel parts from a single piece?

Yes. Upload your CAD file (STEP) and get an instant price and delivery date, from one part to production.

CNC turning and milling · From 1 part

1045 Steel
CNC Machining

1045 steel shafts, axles, pins, pulleys and bushings, turned and milled from your file. Upload your CAD and order online, starting at a single part.

See 1045 properties

Pulley

1045 Steel · Ø80 × 40 mm · One V-groove, Ø20 mm bore

1 pc

$84.21 USD

per part

25 pcs

$22.50 USD

per part

-73.28%

100 pcs

$20.01 USD

per part

-76.24%

Loading…

Manufacturing services

CNC turning and milling · From 1 part

1045 Steel
CNC Machining

1045 steel shafts, axles, pins, pulleys and bushings, turned and milled from your file. Upload your CAD and order online, starting at a single part.

See 1045 properties

Pulley

1045 Steel · Ø80 × 40 mm · One V-groove, Ø20 mm bore

1 pc

$84.21 USD

per part

25 pcs

$22.50 USD

per part

-73.28%

100 pcs

$20.01 USD

per part

-76.24%

Material Overview

What is Steel 1045?

1045 is a medium-carbon steel (about 0.45% carbon): strong, hard, and heat treatable. That makes it the go-to steel for shafts, axles, pins and parts that carry load or see wear. At PREMSA we CNC turn and mill it from your file, starting at a single part with an instant price, and we can send it out for through hardening or induction hardening.

CNC machined Steel 1045 shafts and mechanical components

Specifications

Steel 1045 Specifications

Engineering-grade properties of Steel 1045, including mechanical strength, hardness, and heat-treat response. This material is commonly selected for components that require higher load capacity, wear resistance, and durability in production environments.

Steel 1045 Engineering Properties

Material Type

Medium Carbon Steel (~0.43–0.50% Carbon)

Primary Characteristics

Higher strength, good machinability, heat-treatable, moderate wear resistance

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

84–95 ksi (580–655 MPa)

Tensile Strength (Yield)

45–60 ksi (310–415 MPa)

Shear Strength

≈ 60 ksi (414 MPa)

Elongation at Break

12–16%

Brinell Hardness

170–210 HB (normalized)

Density

7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³)

Elastic Modulus

29,000 ksi (200 GPa)

Poisson’s Ratio

0.29

Thermal Conductivity

49.8 W/m·K

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

11.5 µm/m·°C

Melting Range

1420–1460 °C (2590–2660 °F)

Machinability

Good in normalized condition (AISI machinability rating ≈ 57%)

Weldability

Moderate to poor (requires preheat and controlled cooling)

Formability

Limited (not for cold bending)

Corrosion Resistance

Poor (requires coating such as plating, painting, or oiling)

Heat Treatment

Quench and temper capable; can be induction hardened for surface wear resistance

Common Forms

Bar, plate, shafting

Typical Applications

Shafts, axles, pins, pulleys, bushings, couplings, tooling and wear parts

Material Composition

Iron (Fe): Balance, Carbon (C): 0.43–0.50%, Manganese (Mn): 0.60–0.90%, Phosphorus (P): ≤0.04%, Sulfur (S): ≤0.05%

ASTM Standard

ASTM A29 / A108

Performance

Material Performance Overview

Rating across key engineering and manufacturing criteria.

Strength

Weight

Machinability

Weldability

Formability

Corrosion Resistance

Thermal Resistance

Cost Efficiency

Need custom 1045 steel parts?

Upload your CAD file and get an instant price and delivery date. CNC turning and milling from one part to production.

Custom 1045 Steel Parts We Machine

We CNC turn and mill 1045 steel parts for machinery, power transmission, tooling and industrial maintenance.

Shafts and axles

Pins, dowels and clevis pins

Pulleys and hubs

Bushings and couplings

Rollers and mandrels

Induction hardened parts

Tooling, fixtures and dies

Custom machinery replacement parts

Wear parts

Material FAQs

1045 Steel FAQs

Common questions about custom 1045 steel parts: what it is, machining, hardness, heat treating, welding, tolerances and cost.

Material Guide

1045 Steel: Properties, Machining, Heat Treatment, Tolerances and Finishes

1045 is one of the most widely used medium-carbon steels in industry. It is strong and hard, it can be quenched and tempered or induction hardened, and it is easy to source in round, square and plate.

At PREMSA Industries we machine 1045 with CNC turning and milling from your file, from prototype to production.

Key manufacturing characteristics of 1045 steel

Medium-carbon steel: about 0.45% carbon, which gives it the strength and hardness for load-bearing parts.
Heat treatable: quench and temper raises strength and hardness; induction hardening hardens only the surface.
Good machinability: machines well in normalized or annealed condition, in CNC milling and CNC turning.
Weldable with care: needs preheat and slow cooling to avoid cracking.
Easy to source: round, square, hex bar and plate, hot rolled or cold drawn.

Mechanical and physical properties of 1045 steel

1045 is chosen when a part needs strength, hardness and wear resistance, and is going to be heat treated or induction hardened.

Typical performance profile

Tensile strength of 580–655 MPa (84–95 ksi)
170–210 HB hardness normalized
Good wear resistance once hardened
Moderate toughness and ductility
Stable machining before heat treatment

Why engineers choose it

Handles load, fatigue and wear
Can be through hardened or induction hardened
Cost-effective for power transmission parts
Easy to source in many sizes

Strengths and advantages of 1045 steel

Strength: good load capacity for shafts, axles and pins.
Heat treatment: quench and temper for higher hardness and wear resistance.
Induction hardening: hard surface and tough core where the part works.
Good machinability: machines predictably in CNC machining.
Reasonable cost: plenty of strength for most mechanical parts.

Trade-offs and limitations of 1045 steel

Welding needs preheat: without it, it can crack near the weld.
Not for bending: it cracks in tight bends.
It rusts: needs oil, black oxide, plating or paint.
Harder to machine once hardened: so it is machined before heat treatment and ground afterwards if needed.

Fabrication and machining considerations for 1045 steel

Tolerances on 1045 steel parts

If your drawing doesn’t specify tolerances, we machine to ISO 2768-m (medium). On dimensions you call out we can hold ±0.025 mm (±0.001 in), and critical dimensions are checked in inspection. If the part is heat treated, we account for distortion.

Heat treating and induction hardening 1045

1045 is machined in normalized condition and then heat treated. Quench and temper raises the strength of the whole part; induction hardening hardens only the surface, to about 55–60 HRC, and leaves a tough core. 1045 is rarely carburized, because it already has enough carbon to harden.

Machining behavior

1045 machines well in CNC milling, CNC turning, drilling and threading.

Machined before heat treatment
Good finish with carbide tooling and coolant
Dimensions that must stay exact after hardening are left with stock for grinding

Welding and joining

1045 can be welded, but with process control.

Preheat the part before welding
Let it cool slowly
Bolted or pinned joints are preferred on critical parts

Finishes and protection for 1045 parts

As machined, with rust-preventive oil
Black oxide
Zinc or nickel plating
Paint or powder coating
Grinding after heat treatment

Common 1045 steel parts

Because of its strength and hardenability, 1045 is used in many CNC machined components.

Shafts and axles
Pins and dowels
Pulleys and hubs
Bushings and couplings
Rollers
Induction hardened parts
Tooling
Machinery replacement parts

When 1045 steel is a strong material choice

1045 is often the right choice when a part carries load, sees fatigue or wears.

When the part rotates or transmits power
When certain surfaces see wear
When the part will be heat treated or induction hardened
When you need good strength at a reasonable cost

Material Overview

What is Steel 1045?

Specifications

Steel 1045 Specifications

Steel 1045 Engineering Properties

Material Type

Medium Carbon Steel (~0.43–0.50% Carbon)

Primary Characteristics

Higher strength, good machinability, heat-treatable, moderate wear resistance

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

84–95 ksi (580–655 MPa)

Tensile Strength (Yield)

45–60 ksi (310–415 MPa)

Shear Strength

≈ 60 ksi (414 MPa)

Elongation at Break

12–16%

Brinell Hardness

170–210 HB (normalized)

Density

7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³)

Elastic Modulus

29,000 ksi (200 GPa)

Poisson’s Ratio

0.29

Thermal Conductivity

49.8 W/m·K

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

11.5 µm/m·°C

Melting Range

1420–1460 °C (2590–2660 °F)

Machinability

Good in normalized condition (AISI machinability rating ≈ 57%)

Weldability

Moderate to poor (requires preheat and controlled cooling)

Formability

Limited (not for cold bending)

Corrosion Resistance

Poor (requires coating such as plating, painting, or oiling)

Heat Treatment

Quench and temper capable; can be induction hardened for surface wear resistance

Common Forms

Bar, plate, shafting

Typical Applications

Shafts, axles, pins, pulleys, bushings, couplings, tooling and wear parts

Material Composition

Iron (Fe): Balance, Carbon (C): 0.43–0.50%, Manganese (Mn): 0.60–0.90%, Phosphorus (P): ≤0.04%, Sulfur (S): ≤0.05%

ASTM Standard

ASTM A29 / A108

Performance

Material Performance Overview

Rating across key engineering and manufacturing criteria.

Strength

Weight

Machinability

Weldability

Formability

Corrosion Resistance

Thermal Resistance

Cost Efficiency

Need custom 1045 steel parts?

Upload your CAD file and get an instant price and delivery date. CNC turning and milling from one part to production.

Custom 1045 Steel Parts We Machine

We CNC turn and mill 1045 steel parts for machinery, power transmission, tooling and industrial maintenance.

Shafts and axles

Pins, dowels and clevis pins

Pulleys and hubs

Bushings and couplings

Rollers and mandrels

Induction hardened parts

Tooling, fixtures and dies

Custom machinery replacement parts

Wear parts

Material FAQs

1045 Steel FAQs

Common questions about custom 1045 steel parts: what it is, machining, hardness, heat treating, welding, tolerances and cost.

Material Guide

1045 Steel: Properties, Machining, Heat Treatment, Tolerances and Finishes

Key manufacturing characteristics of 1045 steel

Medium-carbon steel: about 0.45% carbon, which gives it the strength and hardness for load-bearing parts.
Heat treatable: quench and temper raises strength and hardness; induction hardening hardens only the surface.
Good machinability: machines well in normalized or annealed condition, in CNC milling and CNC turning.
Weldable with care: needs preheat and slow cooling to avoid cracking.
Easy to source: round, square, hex bar and plate, hot rolled or cold drawn.

Mechanical and physical properties of 1045 steel

1045 is chosen when a part needs strength, hardness and wear resistance, and is going to be heat treated or induction hardened.

Typical performance profile

Tensile strength of 580–655 MPa (84–95 ksi)
170–210 HB hardness normalized
Good wear resistance once hardened
Moderate toughness and ductility
Stable machining before heat treatment

Why engineers choose it

Handles load, fatigue and wear
Can be through hardened or induction hardened
Cost-effective for power transmission parts
Easy to source in many sizes

Strengths and advantages of 1045 steel

Strength: good load capacity for shafts, axles and pins.
Heat treatment: quench and temper for higher hardness and wear resistance.
Induction hardening: hard surface and tough core where the part works.
Good machinability: machines predictably in CNC machining.
Reasonable cost: plenty of strength for most mechanical parts.

Trade-offs and limitations of 1045 steel

Welding needs preheat: without it, it can crack near the weld.
Not for bending: it cracks in tight bends.
It rusts: needs oil, black oxide, plating or paint.
Harder to machine once hardened: so it is machined before heat treatment and ground afterwards if needed.

Fabrication and machining considerations for 1045 steel

Tolerances on 1045 steel parts

Heat treating and induction hardening 1045

Machining behavior

1045 machines well in CNC milling, CNC turning, drilling and threading.

Machined before heat treatment
Good finish with carbide tooling and coolant
Dimensions that must stay exact after hardening are left with stock for grinding

Welding and joining

1045 can be welded, but with process control.

Preheat the part before welding
Let it cool slowly
Bolted or pinned joints are preferred on critical parts

Finishes and protection for 1045 parts

As machined, with rust-preventive oil
Black oxide
Zinc or nickel plating
Paint or powder coating
Grinding after heat treatment

Common 1045 steel parts

Because of its strength and hardenability, 1045 is used in many CNC machined components.

Shafts and axles
Pins and dowels
Pulleys and hubs
Bushings and couplings
Rollers
Induction hardened parts
Tooling
Machinery replacement parts

When 1045 steel is a strong material choice

1045 is often the right choice when a part carries load, sees fatigue or wears.

When the part rotates or transmits power
When certain surfaces see wear
When the part will be heat treated or induction hardened
When you need good strength at a reasonable cost

1045 SteelCNC Machining

1045 SteelCNC Machining

What is Steel 1045?

Steel 1045 Specifications

Steel 1045 Engineering Properties

Material Performance Overview

Need custom 1045 steel parts?

Custom 1045 Steel Parts We Machine

1045 Steel FAQs

1045 Steel: Properties, Machining, Heat Treatment, Tolerances and Finishes

Key manufacturing characteristics of 1045 steel

Mechanical and physical properties of 1045 steel

Typical performance profile

Why engineers choose it

Strengths and advantages of 1045 steel

Trade-offs and limitations of 1045 steel

Fabrication and machining considerations for 1045 steel

Tolerances on 1045 steel parts

Heat treating and induction hardening 1045

Machining behavior

Welding and joining

Finishes and protection for 1045 parts

Common 1045 steel parts

When 1045 steel is a strong material choice

What is Steel 1045?

Steel 1045 Specifications

Steel 1045 Engineering Properties

Material Performance Overview

Need custom 1045 steel parts?

Custom 1045 Steel Parts We Machine

1045 Steel FAQs

1045 Steel: Properties, Machining, Heat Treatment, Tolerances and Finishes

Key manufacturing characteristics of 1045 steel

Mechanical and physical properties of 1045 steel

Typical performance profile

Why engineers choose it

Strengths and advantages of 1045 steel

Trade-offs and limitations of 1045 steel

Fabrication and machining considerations for 1045 steel

Tolerances on 1045 steel parts

Heat treating and induction hardening 1045

Machining behavior

Welding and joining

Finishes and protection for 1045 parts

Common 1045 steel parts

When 1045 steel is a strong material choice

1045 Steel
CNC Machining

1045 Steel
CNC Machining