What is Grade 1026 Tube?

Grade 1026 tube is a medium carbon steel tube. The sulfur levels fall between 0.08% and 0.13% to help with machining. This extra sulfur creates manganese sulfide (MnS) inclusions. These inclusions in the steel break up chips while the machine works. You get short chips instead of long, messy ones. This leads to a better surface finish and higher accuracy. Tool life is much longer too. The 1026 steel tubing has the same carbon as 1025 steel. However, the sulfur makes it much easier to cut. Many industries choose 1026 seamless tubing for high-volume applications where speed and quality matter most.

ASTM A519 Grade 1026 Tube Specifications

These details cover our Grade 1026 mechanical tube stock according to the ASTM A519:

Feature Detail
Standard ASTM A519 / ASME SA 519
ASTM A519 Standard Specification covers both seamless hot-finished mechanical tubing and seamless cold-finished mechanical tubing
Size 12 3/4 (323.8mm)
Outer Diameter 6.25 - 1800mm
Schedule 10 – XXS / Thk
Shape Round, Square, Rectangular and Special Sections
Length Single random length / Double random length or as customer’s actual request
Grade 1026

ASTM A519 Grade 1026 Tube Chemical Composition

1026 composition uses more sulfur than standard carbon grades. This helps it in machining.

Grade C Mn P≤ S≤
1026 0.22-0.28 0.60-0.90 0.040 0.050

The sulfur is what makes it different from 1025 grade. It helps break the chips.

ASTM A519 Grade 1026 Tube Mechanical Properties

The 1026 tubing mechanical properties shown below are typical values for cold drawn condition:

Properties Metric Imperial
Tensile strength 490 MPa 71100 psi
Yield strength 415 MPa 60200 psi
Bulk modulus (typical for steel) 140 GPa 20300 ksi
Shear modulus (typical for steel) 80.0 GPa 11600 ksi
Elastic modulus 190-210 GPa 27557-30458 ksi
Poisson’s ratio 0.27-0.30 0.27-0.30
Elongation at break (in 50 mm) 15.00% 15.00%
Reduction of area 40.00% 40.00%
Hardness, Brinell 143 143
Hardness, Knoop (converted from Brinell hardness) 163 163
Hardness, Rockwell B (converted from Brinell hardness) 78 78
Hardness, Vickers (converted from Brinell hardness) 149 149
Machinability (based on AISI 1212 steel as 100 machinability. The machinability of Group I bar, rod, and wire products can be improved by cold drawing.) 75 75

Note: Mechanical properties vary based on heat treatment condition. Values shown are typical for cold drawn tubing.

1026 vs 1025 vs 1018

The following comparison helps select the right grade based on your application priorities:

Grade Carbon (%) Sulfur (%) Machinability Weldability
1018 0.15 - 0.20 0.05 max Good Excellent
1025 0.22 - 0.28 0.05 max Good Very Good
1026 0.22 - 0.28 0.08 - 0.13 Excellent Good

Choose 1026 when machinability is the priority over weldability. For applications requiring extensive welding, 1025 or 1018 may be more suitable.

Applications

ASTM A519 Grade 1026 tubing is specifically designed for 3 major applications requiring extensive machining operations:

Screw Machine Products

The 1026 tube is great for making parts on automatic screw machines. This includes fasteners and couplings. If you need parts fast with a clean finish, use this. High cutting speeds are possible here.

Machined Bushings

Use this for bushings, spacers, and sleeves. The metal allows for a smooth bore finish. You can get very close tolerances on the inside and outside. This is vital for bearing parts.

General Machined Parts

Pins, shafts, and rollers often use this grade. It is good for any part that needs drilling or threading. The 1026 steel tubing properties are best when you need to machine parts easily but still want decent strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is 1026 steel tubing?

    1026 steel tubing is a medium carbon, free machining steel tube with elevated sulfur content (0.08-0.13%) that significantly improves machinability over standard carbon steel grades. The sulfur forms manganese sulfide inclusions that act as chip breakers, producing better surface finish, improved dimensional accuracy, and extended tool life during machining operations.

  • What is the difference between 1020 and 1026 tube?

    The main differences are carbon content and sulfur level. 1020 has lower carbon (0.18-0.23%) and standard sulfur (0.05% max), while 1026 has higher carbon (0.22-0.28%) and elevated sulfur (0.08-0.13%). This makes 1026 stronger and significantly more machinable than 1020, but 1020 offers better weldability.

  • Is 1026 tube weldable?

    Yes, you can weld 1026 tube. You have to be careful because the sulfur can cause cracks. Use low-hydrogen electrodes like E7018. Keep the heat under control. If welding is the most important part of the job, 1025 might be a better choice.