LCSP is low-carbon steel, having higher manganese content than mild steel and certain other low-carbon steels. Being richer in manganese, LCSP is a better steel for carburized parts, since it produces a harder and more uniform case. It also has higher mechanical properties and better machining properties, including Brinell hardness, and better machining characteristics. In its production, special manufacturing controls are used for chemical composition, heating, rolling, surface preparations, etc. The result is a quality product suitable for applications involving forging, heat treating, cold drawing, machining, etc.

Since LCSP is a good carburizing steel, it is especially suitable for parts requiring high surface hardness with a relatively soft core, such as gears, pinions, worms, king pins, chain pins, ratchets, dogs, oil tool slips and liners. LCSP is also often specified for studs, anchor pins, special bolts, tie rods, etc.

The difference between LCSP and 1018 is that LCSP starts out as a hot roll material and 1018 is a cold drawn material.

Hardening happens between 1650-1700°F.

LCSP is an on-sized and ground finished material.