When it comes to bending operations in fabrication, forming, and machining industries, selecting the right steel grade can make a noticeable difference in output quality, rejection rates, tool life, and operator effort.
This article compares the bending behavior of five commonly used low-carbon steels:
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Mild Steel (MS)
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SAE 1010
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SAE 1015
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SAE 1018
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IS 2062 E250
🔧 Steel Grades Compared: Bending Properties
| Property / Grade | MS (Generic) | SAE 1010 | SAE 1015 | SAE 1018 | IS 2062 E250 (Fe410W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Content (%) | ~0.15 max | ~0.08–0.13 | ~0.13–0.18 | ~0.15–0.20 | ~0.20 max |
| Ductility | High | Very High | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | ~350–410 (approx) | ~330–420 | ~380–450 | ~440–500 | ≥410 |
| Yield Strength (MPa) | ~250 max | ~170–250 | ~200–280 | ~250–320 | ≥250 |
| Cold Bending Suitability | Very Good | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Moderate (lot-dependent) |
| Springback After Bend | Low | Very Low | Low | Moderate | Moderate to High |
| Crack Risk at Tight Radius | Low | Very Low | Low | Medium | Medium to High |
| Surface Finish After Bend | Depends on source | Good | Good | Good | Moderate (scaly finish) |
| Availability in Bright Form | Limited | Available | Available | Widely Available | Mostly hot rolled |
| Typical Uses | General bending, brackets | Automotive parts, deep draw | Tubes, mild bend parts | Shafts, CNC precision parts | Structural fabrication |
🧠 What the Data Means for Bending Applications
✅ 1. Best for Tight Radius Bending: SAE 1010
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Lowest carbon content → high ductility
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Minimal springback
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Highly suited for sharp, deep, and small-radius bends
✅ 2. General Purpose Bending: MS and SAE 1015
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Mild Steel (MS) is easy to source, economical, and ductile
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SAE 1015 has slightly higher strength but retains good bendability
Use these when:
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You’re forming medium-radius parts
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Cost is a constraint
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Bright finish is not critical
⚠️ 3. Use with Caution: SAE 1018
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Cold drawn 1018 may be harder and exhibit springback
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May crack under tight radius unless annealed
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Great dimensional control, but not ideal for sharp bends unless softened
Best used for:
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Precision forming, CNC bending, or applications requiring higher strength after bending
⚠️ 4. Least Preferred for Critical Bends: IS 2062 E250
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Designed as a structural steel—not optimized for forming
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Surface is rougher and ductility is variable across heats
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More prone to cracking or wrinkling at tight bend radii
Use this for:
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Gradual bends
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Heavy fabrication where tolerances are relaxed
🔍 Cold Drawn vs Hot Rolled Impact on Bending
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Bright Bars (cold drawn): Higher strength → more springback → risk of surface cracks in tight bends
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Black Bars (hot rolled): Softer, easier to bend, but lower dimensional accuracy and poorer finish
💡 For tight bends using bright bars like 1018: annealing before bending is strongly recommended.
🔚 Conclusion
Choosing the right steel grade for bending is about understanding the trade-off between:
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Strength vs Ductility
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Surface finish vs Formability
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Cost vs Performance
| Application Type | Best Grades |
|---|---|
| Sharp bends, deep draw | SAE 1010, SAE 1015 |
| Manual bending | Mild Steel (MS), SAE 1010 |
| CNC / Precision press brake | SAE 1018 (annealed) |
| Structural bending | IS 2062 E250 |
📌 When in doubt, always validate with a trial bend and check the heat-specific test certificate (TC).