Steel 1015 · supply condition
Steel 1015-CR
Properties of the CR condition, compared with the other 1015 tempers.
Choose for sheet-metal stampings and formed enclosures needing a clean, tight-tolerance surface ready for plating or paint.
What is 1015-CR?
1015-CR is 1015 supplied in the CR condition — choose for sheet-metal stampings and formed enclosures needing a clean, tight-tolerance surface ready for plating or paint. 1015-CR has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — weaker than 83% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1015-CR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CR is available on request or by drawing note.
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
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 82/100, better than 94% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 310 MPa (45 ksi), worse than 83% of steel grades
1015-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1015-CR — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1015 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1015-CR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical14
1015-CR has a yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — weaker than 83% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1015-CR 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-CR conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1015-CR 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-CR's machinability is good (56/100, better than 71% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability very good (82/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1015 tempers and conditions
1015 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1015 overview.
- HRDefaultCheapest and most-stocked form for welded structures, brackets and machined-all-over parts where surface finish and tolerance are not critical.190 MPa yield · 101 HB
- CarburizedStandard route when 1015 must resist wear — hard martensitic case on a tough, unhardened low-carbon core for pins, bushings, small gears and levers.415 MPa yield · 60 HRC
- CDUse for turned/screw-machine parts, shafts and pins where higher yield strength, straightness and a bright ±tolerance surface are wanted.325 MPa yield · 111 HB
- NormalizedUse after forging or heavy welding to refine grain, even out properties and get slightly higher strength with good toughness.324 MPa yield · 121 HB
- CRChoose for sheet-metal stampings and formed enclosures needing a clean, tight-tolerance surface ready for plating or paint.310 MPa yield · 111 HB
- AnnealedSoftest, most ductile condition — pick it for severe cold forming, deep drawing or heavy cold heading, or to relieve prior work hardening.284 MPa yield · 111 HB
Working with 1015-CR
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.
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.
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 | — |
1015-CR — frequently asked
What is 1015-CR used for?
1015-CR is typically used for axles, dowel pins and chain pins. In short: classic low-carbon structural.
What is the yield strength of 1015-CR?
1015-CR has a typical yield strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — weaker than 83% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1015-CR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (56/100, better than 71% 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-CR 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-CR?
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-CR 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-CR?
1015-CR 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1015-CR?
Yes — 1015-CR is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.