Benchmark · 4 materials
Steel Y15 vs Steel 1117 vs Steel 1141 vs Steel 1215
Side-by-side benchmark of 4 steel grades.
PropertiesHow to read this table
- The best value in each row is in bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the default condition (temper / grade as listed).
- Relative cost is a market tier, not a price — it moves with region and volume.
- Confirm against the certified mill / resin datasheet before design release.
How to read this table
- The best value in each row is in bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the default condition (temper / grade as listed).
- Relative cost is a market tier, not a price — it moves with region and volume.
- Confirm against the certified mill / resin datasheet before design release.
| Property | Y15 | 1117 | 1141 | 1215 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strengthMPaksi | 380 MPa55 ksi | 310 MPa45 ksi | 570 MPa83 ksi | 415 MPa60 ksi |
| Tensile strengthMPaksi | 510 MPa74 ksi | 475 MPa69 ksi | 655 MPa95 ksi | 540 MPa78 ksi |
| Specific strengthMPa·cm³/g | 48 | 40 | 73 | 53 |
| Densityg/cm³lb/in³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ | 7.84 g/cm³0.283 lb/in³ | 7.83 g/cm³0.283 lb/in³ | 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³ |
| Hardness (HB equiv.)HB | 150 HB | 143 HB | 212 HB | 167 HB |
| Max service temp°C°F | 400 °C752 °F | 400 °C752 °F | 400 °C752 °F | 400 °C752 °F |
| Min service temp°C°F | -50 °C-58 °F | -20 °C-4 °F | -20 °C-4 °F | -20 °C-4 °F |
| Electrical conductivity% IACS | 11 % IACS6.4 MS/m | 10 % IACS5.8 MS/m | 9.5 % IACS5.5 MS/m | 10 % IACS5.8 MS/m |
| Machinability/100 | Excellent92 / 100 | Excellent90 / 100 | Excellent85 / 100 | Excellent100 / 100 |
| Weldability/100 | Poor20 / 100 | Not recommended10 / 100 | Poor15 / 100 | Not recommended5 / 100 |
| Formability/100 | Fair40 / 100 | Fair50 / 100 | Fair40 / 100 | Poor30 / 100 |
| Relative cost | $ Budget | $ Budget | $$ Standard | $ Budget |
| Processes | CNC | CNC | CNC | CNC |
Where each grade sits
One track per property; coloured markers are the compared grades, the shaded band is the steel family 10th–90th percentile and the tick its median.
Yield strength380 MPa55 ksi
250 MPa36 ksifamily median 540 MPa78 ksi1,270 MPa184 ksi
Tensile strength510 MPa74 ksi
420 MPa61 ksifamily median 800 MPa116 ksi1,750 MPa254 ksi
Density7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³
7.8 g/cm³0.282 lb/in³family median 7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³7.85 g/cm³0.284 lb/in³
Hardness (HB equiv.)150 HB
134 HBfamily median 210 HB558 HB
Max service temp400 °C752 °F
200 °C392 °Ffamily median 400 °C752 °F540 °C1,004 °F
Electrical conductivity11 % IACS
5.7 % IACSfamily median 9.7 % IACS12 % IACS
Machinability92 / 100
29 / 100family median 75 / 10075 / 100
Relative cost16
14family median 2553
Y15111711411215
Strength versus weight
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | Y15 | 1117 | 1141 | 1215 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Default condition | CD | HR | HR | HR |
| Min. machined wall | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.8 mm |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm | Ra 1.6 µm |
| Heat treatments | Quench & Temper, Full Anneal, Stress Relief | Quench & Temper, Full Anneal, Stress Relief | Quench & Temper, Full Anneal, Stress Relief | Quench & Temper, Full Anneal, Stress Relief |
| AlCrN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AlTiN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Black Oxide | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CVD TiN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cerakote | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chemical Etching | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chrome Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Copper Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CrN | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DLC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dot Peen Marking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| E-Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electro-chemical Etching | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electroless Nickel (EN) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Epoxy Coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gold Plating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Showing 18 of 46 finishes — the full list is on each grade's datasheet.
Typical handbook values for the default condition, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.