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Steel 1215 vs 1547

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1215 and 1547 are both steel grades. 1547 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 724 MPa (105 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 1215, about 190% more; tensile strength follows at 827 MPa (120 ksi) vs 415 MPa (60.2 ksi). In exchange, 1215 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 8% for 1547, and 1547 is harder (241 HB vs 121 HB). 1215 conducts electricity better (10.8 % IACS vs 9.5 % IACS). On the shop floor, 1215 machines more easily (excellent vs good).

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

1547Choose it when strength drives the design.

1215 vs 1547: properties

12151547

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

415 MPa60.2 ksi
827 MPa120 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
724 MPa105 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
8%

Reduction in Area

45%
25%

Shear Strength

290 MPa42.1 ksi
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

190 MPa27.6 ksi
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

121 HB
241 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

70 HRB
100 HRB

Compressive Strength

—
724 MPa105 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
14 J10.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
23 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

—
253 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

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

Liquidus Temperature

1,510°C2,750 °F
1,490°C2,714 °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

51.9 W/m·K30 BTU/hr·ft·°F
49 W/m·K28.3 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
11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Min Service Temperature

-20°C-4 °F
-25°C-13 °F

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

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10.8 % IACS
9.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

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

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

8 / 100
10 / 100

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.61 V

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

85 / 100
55 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

120%
55%

Weldability

20 / 100
25 / 100

Formability (cold)

35 / 100
20 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
60 / 100

Polishability

40 / 100
55 / 100

Castability

—
45 / 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%
30%

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
105 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.4 MN·m/kg
25.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

156 kJ/m³
1,310 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.6 mm²/s
13.3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
17

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 scale12151547

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability12151547
CNC machiningYes—
Default conditionHR—
Relative cost$ Budget$ Budget
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
AlCrNYes—
AlTiNYes—
Black OxideYes—
CVD Al2O3Yes—
CVD TiCNYes—
CVD TiNYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chrome PlatingYes—
CrNYes—
DLCYes—
E-CoatingYes—
HVOF CoatingYes—
Hot-Dip GalvanizingYes—
MoS2Yes—
Multilayer CVDYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—

They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

1215 vs 1547 — frequently asked

Is 1547 stronger than 1215?

Yes. 1547 has a typical yield strength of 724 MPa (105 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 1215 — about 190% more. Tensile strength is 827 MPa (120 ksi) vs 415 MPa (60.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1215 or 1547?

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 is easier to machine, 1215 or 1547?

1215. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against good (55/100) for 1547; for welding the order is 1547 first (poor, 25/100) then 1215 (poor, 20/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1215 and 1547 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.