1. **Why is it called A36 steel?**
It's called A36 steel because "A" designates it as a standard ferrous (iron-based) material within the ASTM specification system, and "36" signifies its minimum yield strength of 36,000 pounds per square inch (psi).
2. **Is 1018 hot or cold rolled?**
1018 steel is available in both hot rolled and cold rolled forms. The designation "1018" refers to its chemical composition, not its processing method.
3. **Is 1020 steel hot rolled or cold rolled?**
1020 steel is most commonly supplied as hot rolled. While cold rolled 1020 *can* exist, it is significantly less common than hot rolled 1020. The primary form you'll find readily available is hot rolled.
4. **What is the ASTM for 1018 cold rolled steel?**
The primary ASTM specification covering cold finished (which includes cold rolled) carbon steel bars, such as 1018, is **ASTM A108**.
5. **What is the most common cold rolled steel?**
The most common cold rolled steel grade is **1018**. It offers a good balance of strength, formability, weldability, and relatively low cost, making it widely used for shafts, spindles, pins, and various machinery parts requiring better surface finish and tighter tolerances than hot rolled steel.
