Compare over 50 grades of steel and cast iron to find the right material for you—all with material certificates for traceability.
Low-Carbon Steel Rods and Discs

- Yield Strength: See table
- Hardness: See table
- Heat Treatable: Yes
- Max. Hardness After Heat Treatment: See table
- Fabrication: See table
- Specifications Met: See table
Also known as mild steel, low-carbon steel is easy to machine, form, and weld. It's widely fabricated into low-strength fasteners, pins, and axles. You can surface harden this material for added wear resistance. All have been manufactured to meet ASTM standards for quality and performance.
Cold-worked rods and discs have a finished look and quality. The cold-working process gives the steel consistent strength, hardness, and dimensions throughout.
| Dia., mm | Dia. Tolerance, mm | Yield Strength, psi | Fabrication | Hardness | Max. Hardness After Heat Treatment | Specifications Met | Pkg. Qty. | Pkg. | |
75 mm Lg. | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | -0.05 to 0 | 54,000 | Cold Worked | Rockwell B70 (Medium) | Rockwell C60 | ASTM A108 | 10 | 7786T673 | 000000 |
Tight-Tolerance Low-Carbon Steel Rods
- Yield Strength: Not Rated
- Hardness: Not Rated
- Heat Treatable: Yes
- Max. Hardness After Heat Treatment: See table
- Fabrication: Cold Drawn
- Specifications Met: ASTM A108
These rods are precision ground and held to a strict straightness tolerance, so they're ready for turning in a lathe. Also known as mild steel, low-carbon steel is easy to machine, form, and weld. It's widely fabricated into low-strength fasteners, pins, and axles. For added wear resistance, this material can be surface hardened with heat treating. All have been manufactured to meet ASTM A108 standards for quality and performance.
Certificates with a traceable lot number are available for these products. Download certificates from ORDER HISTORY after your order ships.
Tight-Tolerance Ultra-Machinable 12L14 Carbon Steel Rods
- Yield Strength: 65,000 psi
- Hardness: Rockwell B80 (Medium)
- Heat Treatable: Yes
- Max. Hardness After Heat Treatment: Rockwell C65
- Fabrication: Cold Worked
- Specifications Met: ASTM A108
Ready for turning in a lathe, these rods are precision ground and held to a strict straightness tolerance. The lead additive acts as a lubricant, which allows 12L14 carbon steel to withstand very fast machining. It's used to fabricate a wide variety of machine parts, such as shaft couplings, studs, and pins. These rods meet ASTM A108 quality and performance standards. For added wear resistance, they can be surface hardened with heat treating.
Certificates with a traceable lot number are available for these products. Download certificates from ORDER HISTORY after your order ships.
Tight-Tolerance Multipurpose 4140 Alloy Steel Rods

- Yield Strength: 60,000 psi
- Hardness: Rockwell B90 (Medium)
- Heat Treatable: Yes
- Max. Hardness After Heat Treatment: Rockwell C60
- Fabrication: Cold Drawn
- Specifications Met: ASTM A108
Ready for turning in your lathe, these rods are precision ground and held to a strict straightness tolerance. Also known as chrome-moly steel, this versatile alloy steel is used for a wide range of parts, such as gears, axles, shafts, collets, and die holders. It resists fracturing from repeated stress. For added wear resistance, you can surface harden these rods with heat treating. They are manufactured to ASTM A108 standards for performance and quality.
Note: Rods may be made from either 4140 or 4142 alloy steel. They are interchangeable in most applications.
Certificates with a traceable lot number are available for these products. Download certificates from ORDER HISTORY after your order ships.
Multipurpose 4140 Alloy Steel Rods and Discs

Also known as chrome-moly steel, this versatile alloy steel is used for a wide range of parts, such as gears, axles, shafts, collets, and die holders. It resists fracturing from repeated stress. For added wear resistance, the surface can be hardened with heat treating. These rods and discs have been manufactured to meet ASTM standards for quality and performance.
Note: Rods and discs may be made from either 4140 or 4142 alloy steel. They are interchangeable in most applications.
Cold-worked steel rods and discs have a smooth, polished finish. They also have consistent mechanical properties and highly accurate dimensions.
Certificates with a traceable lot number are available for these products. Download certificates from ORDER HISTORY after your order ships.
Hardened Undersized High-Speed M2 Tool Steel Rods

- Yield Strength: See table
- Hardness: Rockwell C60 (Very Hard)
These rods, also known as drill blanks, have an undersized diameter for machining your own drill bits. They're hardened for increased abrasion and impact resistance. M2 tool steel offers a nice balance of wear resistance and machinability. It has a high molybdenum content, which allows it to maintain sharp cutting edges even at elevated temperatures.
Certificates with a traceable lot number are available for these products. Download certificates from ORDER HISTORY after your order ships.
| Dia. | Dia. Tolerance | Drill Bit Size | Lg. | Yield Strength | Mechanical Finish | Straightness Tolerance | Each | |
| 3mm | -0.0050mm to 0.0000mm | 3 mm | 1 7/8" | 261,000 psi | Precision Ground | 0.012" per ft. | 2900A112 | 00000 |
| 3mm | -0.0050mm to 0.0000mm | 3 mm | 2 3/4" | Not Rated | Precision Ground | 0.012" per ft. | 2900A256 | 0000 |
| 3mm | -0.0050mm to 0.0000mm | 3 mm | 4" | 261,000 psi | Precision Ground | 0.012" per ft. | 2900A115 | 0000 |
Tight-Tolerance Multipurpose Oil-Hardening O1 Tool Steel Rods

- Yield Strength: 50,000 psi
- Hardness: Rockwell B90 (Medium)
- Heat Treatable: Yes
- Maximum Hardness After Heat Treatment: Rockwell C65
- Fabrication: Hot Rolled
- Specifications Met: ASTM A681
Ready for turning in a lathe, these rods are precision ground to a tight diameter tolerance. They’re also known as drill rod. Often used for dies, punches, and gauges, O1 tool steel is an oil-hardening material that resists wear and abrasion. It can also be surface hardened with heat treating for added wear resistance. These rods have been manufactured to meet ASTM A681 standards for performance and quality.
Certificates with a traceable lot number are available for these products. Download certificates from ORDER HISTORY after your order ships.
3 ft. Lg. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dia. | Dia. Tolerance | Heat Treatment | Mechanical Finish | Each | |
| 3mm | -0.013mm to 0.013mm | Annealed (Softened) | Precision Ground | 88625K62 | 00000 |
Tight-Tolerance Multipurpose Air-Hardening A2 Tool Steel Rods
Precision ground and held to a strict straightness tolerance, these rods are ready for turning in your lathe. Also known as drill rod, this A2 tool steel is more wear resistant than O1 and keeps a sharper cutting edge. It’s air-hardening, so it doesn’t require baths or quenching after heat treatment. This tool steel is often used for punches, blades, and hammers. These rods have been manufactured to ASTM A681 standards for performance and quality.
Certificates with a traceable lot number are available for these products. Download certificates from ORDER HISTORY after your order ships.

- Yield Strength: 55,000 psi
- Hardness: See table
- Heat Treatable: Yes
- Max. Hardness After Heat Treatment: Rockwell C62
- Fabrication: Hot Rolled
- Specifications Met: ASTM A681

























