Scope of ASTM A1008/A1008M
ASTM A1008/A1008M is the standard specification for steel sheet, cold-rolled, carbon, structural, high-strength low-alloy, high-strength low-alloy with improved formability, required hardness, solution hardened, and bake hardenable. It is one of the reference specifications for cold-rolled carbon steel and high-strength low-alloy steel coil and cut lengths supplied to automobile manufacturing, structural parts and general industrial products.
Material to this specification is ordered by grade, by dimensions, by surface finish and by edge condition, and the required tensile properties depend on the grade selected. The specification applies to cold-rolled product only; hot-rolled equivalents are covered by separate specifications, so the purchase order must name the specification as well as the grade.
Grade Families Covered by the Standard
ASTM A1008 covers a variety of cold-rolled steel types classified by use and performance. The main families are summarised below.
| Family | Characteristic | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial steel CS Type A, B and C | General-purpose cold-rolled carbon steel | General forming or structural parts, simple bends |
| Forming steel FS | Improved forming capability over commercial steel | Parts with moderate draw depth |
| Drawing steel DS, deep drawing steel DDS and extra deep drawing steel EDDS | Progressively better drawability with controlled chemistry | Pressed panels and deep formed components |
| Structural steel SS (solution hardened) | Higher yield strength developed by solution hardening; designated by minimum yield strength in ksi with the metric equivalent in brackets | Structural parts, brackets and load-bearing members |
| High-strength low-alloy HSLAS | Higher tensile strength than commercial steel, suitable for lightweight design | Automotive structural parts and weight-reduced assemblies |
| HSLAS with improved formability HSLAS-F | Strength of HSLAS with better elongation and forming behaviour | Formed high-strength parts with tight radii |
| Bake hardenable BH | Strength rises during the paint baking cycle | Automotive body panels such as doors and hoods |
| Interstitial-free IF grades | Very low carbon and nitrogen, stabilised for extremely deep drawing | Complex stampings with severe draw ratios |
Dimensional Range of Cold-Rolled Coil
Cold-rolled coil to ASTM A1008 is commonly ordered in the range below, with the exact figures confirmed against the mill capability and the tolerances of the specification.
| Item | Range or requirement |
|---|---|
| Executive standard | ASTM A1008/A1008M |
| Material designation | A1008 |
| Width | 800 - 1250 mm |
| Thickness | 0.15 - 2.0 mm |
| Coil inner diameter | Normally 508 mm or 610 mm, as agreed |
| Surface finish | As specified, for example matte for painting or commercial bright for exposed parts |
| Edge condition | Mill edge or trimmed edge, as specified |
How A1008 Relates to AISI 1008 and ASTM A366
AISI 1008 is a low carbon steel designation with a carbon content of about 0.08%. It is a general-purpose cold-rolled steel, while ASTM A1008 is a broader standard that includes multiple strength grades and special-performance steels. A 1008 type chemistry can therefore be ordered within A1008 by selecting a suitable commercial-quality grade and stating the chemistry limits in the order.
ASTM A366 is a commercial-grade cold-rolled carbon steel specification focused on general use. A1008 covers higher-strength and specially processed steels with more detailed technical parameters, including structural, HSLAS, bake hardenable and interstitial-free grades. Because the two specifications differ in scope, substitutions should be based on the grade and properties actually required, not on the specification number alone.
Surface Finish, Temper Rolling and Packing
Temper rolling controls flatness, surface roughness and the absence of stretcher strain during forming; the temper pass is agreed with the application.
Surface finish is selected to suit the next operation, with a matte finish preferred for painting and a brighter finish for exposed or plated parts.
A rust-preventive oil film is normally applied for shipment and storage, and its compatibility with downstream cleaning and welding must be checked.
Coils are packed eye to sky or eye to wall with moisture protection, edge protection and steel strapping suited to sea freight.
Storage in a dry, ventilated warehouse and careful handling avoid edge damage and white rust on the coil surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kinds of steel does ASTM A1008 cover?
It covers cold-rolled carbon sheet of commercial, forming, drawing, structural, high-strength low-alloy, high-strength low-alloy with improved formability, required hardness, solution hardened and bake hardenable types.
Q: What thickness and width of cold-rolled coil is available?
Coil to ASTM A1008 is commonly supplied in widths from 800 mm to 1250 mm and thicknesses from 0.15 mm to 2.0 mm, with tolerances set by the specification.
Q: How does ASTM A1008 differ from AISI 1008?
AISI 1008 is a low carbon grade of about 0.08% carbon for general use, while A1008 is a wider specification covering many strength grades and special-performance steels.
Q: How does ASTM A1008 compare with ASTM A366?
A366 covers commercial-quality cold-rolled carbon steel for general use, whereas A1008 extends to higher-strength and specially processed grades with more detailed technical requirements.
Q: Which grades are used for automotive body panels?
Bake hardenable grades are used where strength must increase during paint baking, and interstitial-free grades are used for the deepest, most complex stampings.
Q: Why is temper rolling important for cold-rolled coil?
It sets flatness and surface texture and suppresses stretcher strain, so formed parts come out straight and free from surface marks.
