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Steel 1215 vs Y45MnV

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1215 and Y45MnV are both steel grades. Y45MnV is the stronger of the two: yield strength 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 1215, about 124% more; tensile strength follows at 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 415 MPa (60.2 ksi). In exchange, 1215 is the more ductile: elongation 25% versus 14% for Y45MnV, and Y45MnV is harder (255 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).

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

Y45MnVChoose it when strength drives the design.

1215 vs Y45MnV: properties

1215Y45MnV

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
210 GPa30.5 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

415 MPa60.2 ksi
860 MPa125 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

250 MPa36.3 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

25%
14%

Reduction in Area

45%
33%

Shear Strength

290 MPa42.1 ksi
520 MPa75.4 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

190 MPa27.6 ksi
380 MPa55.1 ksi

Hardness, Brinell

121 HB
255 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

70 HRB
—

Compressive Strength

—
570 MPa82.7 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

—
25 J18.4 ft·lbf

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
25 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

—
268 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

Liquidus Temperature

1,510°C2,750 °F
1,480°C2,696 °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
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 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

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

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

10.8 % IACS
8.6 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in
2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.87 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
10 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

85 / 100
62 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

120%
65%

Weldability

20 / 100
22 / 100

Formability (cold)

35 / 100
25 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

55 / 100
45 / 100

Castability

—
40 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 40 / 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
110 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.4 MN·m/kg
26.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

156 kJ/m³
747 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

13.6 mm²/s
11.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
15

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 scale1215Y45MnV

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1215Y45MnV
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 Y45MnV — frequently asked

Is Y45MnV stronger than 1215?

Yes. Y45MnV has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) against 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) for 1215 — about 124% more. Tensile strength is 860 MPa (125 ksi) vs 415 MPa (60.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1215 or Y45MnV?

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 Y45MnV?

1215. Its machinability rates excellent (85/100) against good (62/100) for Y45MnV.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1215 and Y45MnV 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.