Laser Cut Cold Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet Metal

Cold rolled 1008 mild steel sheet: properties, advantages, and design guide

Cold rolled 1008 mild steel is the clean, smooth, and formable version of low-carbon steel. Its consistent surface finish and tight dimensional tolerances make it ideal for precision parts, enclosures, and decorative projects where both appearance and strength matter. Below, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about 1008 cold rolled steel from its properties and advantages to design best practices for SendCutSend’s laser cutting and finishing services.

Key takeaways for cold rolled 1008 mild steel

• Excellent formability: Very low carbon content (~0.08%) allows complex bends and dimples without cracking.
• Smooth surface finish: Cold rolling produces a clean, uniform surface ideal for coatings and plating.
• Laser cut precision: SendCutSend achieves ±.005″ tolerance across all thicknesses up to .135″.
• Strong yet ductile: Balances strength and flexibility for brackets, enclosures, and functional components.
• Supports multiple finishing options: Bending, hardware insertion, plating, powder coating, tapping, and tumbling available in-house.

What is cold rolled 1008 mild steel?

Cold rolled 1008 is a low-carbon steel that’s processed at room temperature to achieve a smoother finish and tighter thickness control than hot rolled steel. Because it’s “cold worked,” the surface is clean and scale-free, with improved straightness and dimensional accuracy. The low carbon content gives it excellent ductility and makes it ideal for bending, forming, and stamping. SendCutSend stocks 1008 as one of three types of Mild Steel.

What are the mechanical and physical properties of cold rolled 1008 steel?

1008 cold rolled steel offers a blend of formability and moderate strength for easy fabrication. Typical properties:

• Density: 0.283 lb/in³ (7.83 g/cm³)
• Tensile strength: ~40–45 ksi
• Yield strength: ~25 ksi
• Elongation: ~30–40%
• Hardness: ~45 HRB

These properties make 1008 ideal for applications that need crisp bends, clean finishes, and consistent part dimensions.

What are common applications for cold rolled 1008 steel?

1008 steel is used wherever precision, formability, and clean appearance matter. Common uses for 1008 include:

• Brackets, panels, and enclosures
• Dimple-formed or bent parts
• Tapped plates and hardware-mounted components
• Decorative or architectural metalwork
• Prototypes and production runs needing high repeatability

To compare similar steels, explore our Material Catalog.

How does cold rolled 1008 perform during laser cutting?

1008 mild steel cuts cleanly and predictably with SendCutSend’s high-powered lasers.

• Tolerances: ±.005″ across all available thicknesses (.030″–.135″).
• Edge quality: Smooth and square with minimal dross or oxide.
• Heat-affected zone: Very small due to low carbon content.

These properties make it perfect for precise assemblies, especially when paired with bending or tapping services. Check our Design Guidelines for feature sizing and kerf recommendations.

Can cold rolled 1008 steel be bent or formed?

Yes at SendCutSend bending services on 1008 Cold Rolled Steel — it’s one of the most formable steels available.

• Excellent for bending, dimpling, or shallow forming.
• Recommended inside bend radius: 1x material thickness or larger.
• Consistent surface allows for smooth bends without cracking or coating damage.

For more detail, review our Bending Guidelines.

Can cold rolled 1008 steel be tapped or have hardware installed?

Yes, we offer PEM hardware insertion, tapping, and dimple forming on 1008 Cold Rolled Steel – its ductility makes tapping and hardware insertion very reliable.

• Threads form cleanly without tearing.
• Suitable for PEM nuts, studs, and standoffs.
• Maintain at least 60% thread engagement for strong connections.

See our Tapping and Hardware Insertion pages for supported sizes and styles.

What finishing options work best for cold rolled steel?

Cold rolled steel’s clean surface makes it ideal for coatings and plating. At SendCutSend, we offer:

• Powder coating: Adds color and corrosion protection.
• Plating: Enhances corrosion resistance and surface appearance.
• Tumbling: Removes burrs and smooths edges.
• Deburring: Prepares surfaces for paint or assembly.

Before adding additional services to your custom cut 1008 parts, check out our service guidelines.

How durable is cold rolled 1008 steel?

Cold rolled steel is strong and long-lasting when protected from corrosion.

• Indoors: Maintains strength and appearance for decades.
• Outdoors: Requires coating (powder coat, plating, or paint) for rust prevention.
• Structural durability: Excellent in mild environments and controlled conditions.

When coated, 1008 steel offers both longevity and visual appeal.

Design tips for cold rolled mild steel

Design with accuracy, formability, and coating compatibility in mind.

• Allow clearance for bends and hardware inserts.
• Add fillets or reliefs in corners to prevent stress buildup.
• Plan coating early to account for material thickness and edge coverage.
• Keep hole and tab spacing within our Design Guidelines.

Why choose Cold Rolled 1008 Mild Steel

Cold rolled 1008 mild steel delivers smooth finishes, tight tolerances, and unmatched formability making it a top choice for precision parts and enclosures. With SendCutSend’s laser cutting accuracy (±.005″) and comprehensive finishing services (bending, plating, powder coating, tapping, and more), you can take your design from upload to finished part in just a few days.