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Steel 1141 vs 1212

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1141 and 1212 are both steel grades, both machining-friendly steel. 1141 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for 1212, about 64% more; tensile strength follows at 675 MPa (97.9 ksi) vs 386 MPa (56 ksi). In exchange, 1212 is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 22% for 1141, and 1141 is harder (192 HB vs 121 HB). 1212 conducts electricity better (10.8 % IACS vs 9.5 % IACS). On the shop floor, 1212 machines more easily (excellent vs good) and 1212 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 1141 (standard, $$).

1141Choose it when strength drives the design.

1212Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

1141 vs 1212: properties

11411212

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

675 MPa97.9 ksi
386 MPa56 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

360 MPa52.2 ksi
220 MPa31.9 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
28%

Reduction in Area

38%
45%

Shear Strength

405 MPa58.7 ksi
235 MPa34.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
170 MPa24.7 ksi

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

30 J22.1 ft·lbf
45 J33.2 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

192 HB
121 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

92 HRB
68 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

—
127 HV

Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 200 GPa29 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.87 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,425°C2,597 °F
1,420°C2,588 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,490°C2,714 °F
1,505°C2,741 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

49 W/m·K28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
51.9 W/m·K30 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F
12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

425°C797 °F
400°C752 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 486 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

9.5 % IACS
10.8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.09 µΩ·in
1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.61 V
-0.65 V

Corrosion Resistance

10 / 100
9 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

68 / 100
88 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

70%
100%

Formability (cold)

35 / 100
45 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
40 / 100

Same in both: Weldability 25 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
27 MJ/kg11,608 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
50 L/kg6 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

86 kN·m/kg
49 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.5 MN·m/kg
25.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

324 kJ/m³
121 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

12.8 mm²/s
13.6 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

14
8

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale11411212

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability11411212
Default conditionHRHR
Relative cost$$ Standard$ Budget
Min. machined wall0.8 mm0.8 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µmRa 1.6 µm

Both are offered for CNC machining. Both take the same 38 finishes: AlCrN, AlTiN, Black Oxide, CVD Al2O3, CVD TiCN, CVD TiN, Cerakote, Chrome Plating, Copper Plating, CrN, DLC, E-Coating and 26 more.

1141 vs 1212 — frequently asked

Is 1141 stronger than 1212?

Yes. 1141 has a typical yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) against 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) for 1212 — about 64% more. Tensile strength is 675 MPa (97.9 ksi) vs 386 MPa (56 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1141 or 1212?

1212 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 1141 is standard ($$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.

Which is easier to machine, 1141 or 1212?

1212. Its machinability rates excellent (88/100) against good (68/100) for 1141.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1141 and 1212 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.