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Steel 1215 vs 1330

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1215 and 1330 are both steel grades. 1330 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 1215, about 66% more; tensile strength follows at 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 415 MPa (60.2 ksi). In exchange, 1215 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 20% for 1330, and 1330 is harder (197 HB vs 121 HB). 1215 conducts heat better (51.9 W/m·K vs 44 W/m·K). On the shop floor, 1215 machines more easily (excellent vs good), 1330 welds better (fair vs poor), and 1215 sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than 1330 (standard, $$).

1215Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

1330Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

1215 vs 1330: properties

12151330

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

415 MPa60.2 ksi
690 MPa100 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
415 MPa60.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
20%

Reduction in Area

45%
50%

Shear Strength

290 MPa42.1 ksi
450 MPa65.3 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

190 MPa27.6 ksi
310 MPa45 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

121 HB
197 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

70 HRB
92 HRB

Compressive Strength

—
415 MPa60.2 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
60 J44.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
13 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

—
207 HV

Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,420°C2,588 °F
1,425°C2,597 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,510°C2,750 °F
1,500°C2,732 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

51.9 W/m·K30 BTU/hr·ft·°F
44 W/m·K25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

247 J/g106 BTU/lb
250 J/g107 BTU/lb

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
-30°C-22 °F

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10.8 % IACS
7.8 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in
2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.61 V
-0.62 V

Corrosion Resistance

8 / 100
11 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

85 / 100
58 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

120%
60%

Weldability

20 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

35 / 100
45 / 100

Polishability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

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

Typical Recycled Content

35%
25%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

53 kN·m/kg
88 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.4 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

156 kJ/m³
420 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.6 mm²/s
11.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
12

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 scale12151330

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability12151330
Sheet metal—Yes
Default conditionHRHR
Relative cost$ Budget$$ Standard
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.

1215 vs 1330 — frequently asked

Is 1330 stronger than 1215?

Yes. 1330 has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 1215 — about 66% more. Tensile strength is 690 MPa (100 ksi) vs 415 MPa (60.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1215 or 1330?

1215 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while 1330 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, 1215 or 1330?

1215. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against good (58/100) for 1330; for welding the order is 1330 first (fair, 45/100) then 1215 (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1215 and 1330 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.