Steel 1115
AISI/SAE 1115 · UNS G11150
1115 is a low-carbon resulfurized free-machining steel (UNS G11150) in the AISI/SAE 11xx family that can be carburized for a hard wear surface over a tough core.
Reference datasheet — 1115 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the CD condition
1115 tempers and conditions
1115 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. CD 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Use before heavy cold forming or when the softest, most stable structure is needed prior to carburizing. | 225 | 395 | 26 | 111 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Lowest-cost condition for larger sections that will be fully machined or later carburized. | 230 | 425 | 22 | 121 HB | — |
Normalized | Refines grain and homogenizes forgings/bar before carburizing or heavy machining. | 260 | 440 | 24 | 126 HB | — |
Cold Drawn, Stress Relieved | Choose when unbalanced machining causes distortion; keeps most cold-drawn strength with lower residual stress. | 380 | 460 | 18 | 137 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
CDDefault Cold drawn | Standard stocked condition for screw-machine work: good size tolerance, straightness and chip control. | 410 | 480 | 15 | 143 HB | — |
Carburized, Quenched & Tempered | Final condition for wear surfaces: hard martensitic case on a tough low-carbon core. | 420 | 620 | 12 | 60 HRC | — |
What is 1115?
1115 is a low-carbon resulfurized free-machining steel (UNS G11150) in the AISI/SAE 11xx family that can be carburized for a hard wear surface over a tough core. Engineers use it for turned parts that need both production-rate machining (score 80, about 85% of AISI 1212) and case hardening; default values are 410 MPa yield, 480 MPa tensile, 15% elongation and 143 HB (78 HRB), available as HR, CD, stress-relieved, annealed, normalised and carburized bar. Weldability is restricted by sulfur and transverse ductility is reduced; 1117 or 8620 are the usual alternatives for more demanding carburized parts. 1115 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). 1115 has a yield strength of 410 MPa (59.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 57% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1115 used for?
- Gears
- Studs
- Carburized pins
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 98% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1115 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1115-CD; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1115 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical14
1115 has a yield strength of 410 MPa (59.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 57% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1115 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1115 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 1115 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
1115's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 98% of steel grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. 1115 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1115
Is 1115 easy to machine?
Excellent for high-volume screw-machine and CNC turning (~85% of AISI 1212); MnS gives short chips and good tool life, but avoid very fine finishes where inclusion pull-out matters.
Can 1115 be welded?
Weldable only with care — high sulfur promotes hot cracking and porosity; use low-hydrogen basic electrodes, low heat input and avoid critical structural welds.
Can 1115 be formed, bent or molded?
Moderate cold formability in annealed/hot-rolled bar; sulfide stringers reduce transverse ductility so avoid tight transverse bends and severe heading.
1115 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.13 – 0.18 | 0.16 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| Sresulfurized for machinability (MnS inclusions) | 0.08 – 0.13 | 0.11 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Sinot specified for resulfurized bar grades; residual only | — | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1115?
No anodizing; protect with zinc/nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate-and-oil or paint. Case carburizing raises surface hardness for wear applications.
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 1115 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G11150
How much does 1115 cost?
1115 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
1115 — frequently asked
What is 1115 used for?
1115 is typically used for gears, studs and carburized pins. In short: case-hardenable free-machining steel; about 85% of 1212; tough core after carburizing.
What is the yield strength of 1115?
1115 has a typical yield strength of 410 MPa (59.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) — weaker than 57% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1115 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 98% of steel grades). Excellent for high-volume screw-machine and CNC turning (~85% of AISI 1212); MnS gives short chips and good tool life, but avoid very fine finishes where inclusion pull-out matters.
Can 1115 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Weldable only with care — high sulfur promotes hot cracking and porosity; use low-hydrogen basic electrodes, low heat input and avoid critical structural welds.
What surface finishes work on 1115?
No anodizing; protect with zinc/nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate-and-oil or paint. Case carburizing raises surface hardness for wear applications.
Can 1115 be formed, bent or molded?
Moderate cold formability in annealed/hot-rolled bar; sulfide stringers reduce transverse ductility so avoid tight transverse bends and severe heading.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1115?
1115 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 1115-CD and 1115-A?
CD is the default condition — standard stocked condition for screw-machine work: good size tolerance, straightness and chip control. A: use before heavy cold forming or when the softest, most stable structure is needed prior to carburizing. Yield strength is 410 MPa in CD versus 225 MPa in A.
How much does 1115 cost?
1115 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
- ASTM A576 — Steel Bars, Carbon, Hot-Wrought, Special Quality — ASTM (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (carburizing of low-carbon steels) — ASM International (1991)
- GB/T 8731 (Y15 comparison grade) — SAC (2008)
- Mysteel / SMM — Mysteel (2025)
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.