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Steel 11SMn30 vs 1215

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 11SMn30 and 1215 are both steel grades, both machining-friendly steel. Both yield at about 250 MPa — strength does not separate them. 1215 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 22% for 11SMn30. 1215 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous).

1215Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

11SMn30 vs 1215: properties

11SMn301215

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

205 GPa29.7 Msi
200 GPa29 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

420 MPa60.9 ksi
415 MPa60.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

22%
25%

Compressive Strength

420 MPa60.9 ksi
—

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

25 J18.4 ft·lbf
—

Hardness, Brinell

125 HB
121 HB

Hardness, Vickers

178 HV
—

Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29 · Yield Strength (0.2% offset) 250 MPa36.3 ksi · Reduction in Area 45% · Shear Strength 290 MPa42.1 ksi · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 190 MPa27.6 ksi · Hardness, Rockwell B 70 HRB

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Liquidus Temperature

1,495°C2,723 °F
1,510°C2,750 °F

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
51.9 W/m·K30 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
486 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F
11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
400°C752 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 247 J/g106 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10.5 % IACS
10.8 % IACS

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.6 V
-0.61 V

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 8 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

82 / 100
85 / 100

Weldability

12 / 100
20 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

50 / 100
55 / 100

Polishability

30 / 100
40 / 100

Same in both: Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %) 120% · Formability (cold) 35 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

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

Typical Recycled Content

30%
35%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

54 kN·m/kg
53 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

26.1 MN·m/kg
25.4 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

152 kJ/m³
156 kJ/m³

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 13.6 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 9

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 scale121511SMn30

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability11SMn301215
Default conditionHRHR
Relative cost$ Budget$ 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.

11SMn30 vs 1215 — frequently asked

What is the difference between 11SMn30 and 1215?

Steel 11SMn30 and 1215 are both steel grades, both machining-friendly steel. Both yield at about 250 MPa — strength does not separate them. 1215 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 22% for 11SMn30.

Which is cheaper, 11SMn30 or 1215?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($, budget); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which welds better, 11SMn30 or 1215?

1215. Its weldability rates poor (20/100) against not recommended (12/100) for 11SMn30.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 11SMn30 and 1215 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.