Steel 1015
AISI/SAE 1015 · UNS G10150
1015 is a plain low-carbon structural steel with roughly 0.15 % C (UNS G10150, JIS S15C, GB 15), supplied hot-rolled, cold-rolled, cold-drawn, annealed, normalized or carburized.
Values for the HR condition
1015 tempers and conditions
1015 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HRDefault Hot rolled | Cheapest and most-stocked form for welded structures, brackets and machined-all-over parts where surface finish and tolerance are not critical. | 190 | 345 | 28 | 101 HB | — |
Annealed (≈870 °C, slow cool) | Softest, most ductile condition — pick it for severe cold forming, deep drawing or heavy cold heading, or to relieve prior work hardening. | 284 | 386 | 37 | 111 HB | — |
Cold rolled | Choose for sheet-metal stampings and formed enclosures needing a clean, tight-tolerance surface ready for plating or paint. | 310 | 395 | 20 | 111 HB | — |
Normalized (≈925 °C, air cool) | Use after forging or heavy welding to refine grain, even out properties and get slightly higher strength with good toughness. | 324 | 424 | 37 | 121 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Use for turned/screw-machine parts, shafts and pins where higher yield strength, straightness and a bright ±tolerance surface are wanted. | 325 | 385 | 18 | 111 HB | — |
Carburized & quenched, case 0.5–1.0 mm, tempered 150–200 °C | Standard route when 1015 must resist wear — hard martensitic case on a tough, unhardened low-carbon core for pins, bushings, small gears and levers. | 415 | 620 | 15 | 60 HRC | — |
What is 1015?
1015 is a plain low-carbon structural steel with roughly 0.15 % C (UNS G10150, JIS S15C, GB 15), supplied hot-rolled, cold-rolled, cold-drawn, annealed, normalized or carburized. Engineers choose it for excellent cold formability, near-perfect weldability and low cost in bar, sheet, strip and wire for stampings, fasteners, pins and welded assemblies. In the default condition it is soft — about 190 MPa yield, 345 MPa tensile, 28 % elongation, 101 HB (56 HRB) — with poor hardenability, so strength comes from case carburizing rather than through hardening. It has no corrosion resistance and needs plating, galvanizing or paint; step up to 1020 where slightly higher strength and better machinability are wanted. 1015 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F). 1015 has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is 1015 used for?
- Axles
- Dowel pins
- Chain pins
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 96% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 190 MPa (27.6 ksi), worse than 99% of steel grades
1015 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1015-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1015 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical14
1015 has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1015 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1015 conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1015 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
1015's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 1015 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1015
Is 1015 easy to machine?
Gummy in the annealed/HR state — use cold-drawn or normalized stock, sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and poor threads.
Can 1015 be welded?
Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes; carbon equivalent below 0.30 means no preheat or PWHT is normally needed on thin sections.
Can 1015 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — deep drawing, bending, riveting and cold heading are routine; hot forge 1100–1250 °C and normalize afterwards if grain growth matters.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 1015. Every 1015 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better52 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 220 / 260 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better85 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better95 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
1015 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CSAE J403 / ASTM A29 | 0.13 – 0.18 | 0.15 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Sinot specified for non-resulfurized grades unless killed steel ordered | ≤ 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1015?
No inherent corrosion resistance: specify zinc or zinc-nickel plating, hot-dip galvanizing, phosphate+oil, black oxide or paint; polishes only to a moderate luster.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 1015 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 1015 cost?
1015 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 100% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
1015 — frequently asked
What is 1015 used for?
1015 is typically used for axles, dowel pins and chain pins. In short: classic low-carbon structural.
What is the yield strength of 1015?
1015 has a typical yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1015 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades). Gummy in the annealed/HR state — use cold-drawn or normalized stock, sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and poor threads.
Can 1015 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes; carbon equivalent below 0.30 means no preheat or PWHT is normally needed on thin sections.
What surface finishes work on 1015?
No inherent corrosion resistance: specify zinc or zinc-nickel plating, hot-dip galvanizing, phosphate+oil, black oxide or paint; polishes only to a moderate luster.
Can 1015 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — deep drawing, bending, riveting and cold heading are routine; hot forge 1100–1250 °C and normalize afterwards if grain growth matters.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1015?
1015 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1015-HR and 1015-CD?
HR is the default condition — cheapest and most-stocked form for welded structures, brackets and machined-all-over parts where surface finish and tolerance are not critical. CD: use for turned/screw-machine parts, shafts and pins where higher yield strength, straightness and a bright ±tolerance surface are wanted. Yield strength is 190 MPa in HR versus 325 MPa in CD.
How much does 1015 cost?
1015 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 100% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1015?
Yes — 1015 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A1011/A1018 — Hot-Rolled and Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. (machinability ratings, carbon steel properties) — Industrial Press (2020)
- GB/T 699 (15 equivalent) — SAC (China) (2015)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.