Steel 1115-A (Solution annealed)
Temper
AISI/SAE 1115 · UNS G11150
Use before heavy cold forming or when the softest, most stable structure is needed prior to carburizing.
Values for the A condition
Other 1115 tempers and conditions
1115 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 1115.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AThis page 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-A?
1115-A is 1115 in the A temper — use before heavy cold forming or when the softest, most stable structure is needed prior to carburizing. 1115-A has a yield strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1115-A 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). CD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; A is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 74/100, better than 97% 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
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 26%, better than 82% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 225 MPa (32.6 ksi), worse than 97% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1115-A properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1115-A; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1115 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1115-A 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-A has a yield strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1115-A 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-A 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-A 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-A's machinability is very good (74/100, better than 97% of steel grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability good (65/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1115-A
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.
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.
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 | — |
1115-A — frequently asked
What is 1115-A used for?
1115-A 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-A?
1115-A has a typical yield strength of 225 MPa (32.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1115-A easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (74/100, better than 97% 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-A 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-A?
No anodizing; protect with zinc/nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate-and-oil or paint. Case carburizing raises surface hardness for wear applications.
Can 1115-A 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-A?
1115-A 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.