Steel Alloys

1008 Steel

Cold-rolled steel is a popular material for FTC teams who need strong, precise, and easily workable components. It starts as hot-rolled steel but undergoes additional processing at room temperature, which refines the surface finish, increases dimensional accuracy, and slightly boosts its strength and hardness.

Compared to hot-rolled steel, cold-rolled steel has cleaner edges and tighter tolerances, making it easier to use in parts that require exact fits or precise bending. These properties make it ideal for custom brackets, mounts, or other fabricated components where strength and consistency are critical.

Mild steel, a common form of cold-rolled steel, is widely used by prototyping teams and builders for its ease of machining, welding, and forming. If you're looking for a reliable material that combines strength with workability, cold-rolled carbon steel is a dependable choice for many FTC fabrication needs.

Physical Properties of 1008 Alloys

Characteristics		5052-H32	5052-H34
Density	0.098 lb/in3	0.098 lb/in3	0.098 lb/in3
Ultimate Tensile Strength	28 ksi	33 ksi	38 ksi
Yield Tensile Strength	13 ksi	28 ksi	31 ksi
Fatigue Strength	16 ksi	17 ksi	18 ksi
Shear Strength	18 ksi	20 ksi	21 ksi

A36 Steel

A36-HRPO steel is a versatile and durable material used by teams that need strong structural parts with improved surface finish. It begins as standard hot-rolled steel, but undergoes a pickling process to remove surface scale, followed by an oil coating to prevent rust and improve handling.

While not as dimensionally precise as cold-rolled steel, A36-HRPO retains the strength and toughness of hot-rolled steel while being easier to work with due to its cleaner surface. This makes it well-suited for cutting, welding, and basic fabrication tasks, especially when extremely tight tolerances are not required.

For FTC teams building frames, brackets, or support structures that need strength without sacrificing manufacturability, A36-HRPO provides a reliable middle ground—offering solid mechanical performance along with easier post-processing compared to untreated hot-rolled steel.

Physical Properties of 1008 Alloys

Characteristics		5052-H32	5052-H34
Density	0.098 lb/in3	0.098 lb/in3	0.098 lb/in3
Ultimate Tensile Strength	28 ksi	33 ksi	38 ksi
Yield Tensile Strength	13 ksi	28 ksi	31 ksi
Fatigue Strength	16 ksi	17 ksi	18 ksi
Shear Strength	18 ksi	20 ksi	21 ksi