Steel 1116
AISI/SAE 1116 · UNS G11160
1116 is a resulfurized free-machining carbon steel (UNS G11160) similar to 1115 and 1117, with a carbon level balanced for carburized, high-production turned parts.
Reference datasheet — 1116 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
1116 tempers and conditions
1116 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot rolled | Cheapest form for large-diameter parts that will be fully machined or later carburized. | 235 | 425 | 30 | 121 HB | — |
Solution annealed | Softest, most ductile state for cold heading, deep bending or before carburizing. | 250 | 415 | 33 | 116 HB | — |
Normalized | Use to homogenize forged or heavily worked blanks and give uniform grain before case hardening. | 270 | 450 | 30 | 131 HB | 10 % IACS |
Cold drawn, stress relieved | Pick when long slender turned parts must stay straight after heavy asymmetric machining. | 370 | 470 | 23 | 137 HB | 10 % IACS |
CDDefault Cold drawn | The standard stocked condition: close tolerance, bright finish and best chip control for automatic screw machines. | 415 | 490 | 20 | 143 HB | — |
Carburized, quenched & low-temper | Chosen when the machined part also needs a wear-resistant 0.4–1.0 mm case, e.g. pins, bushings, small gears. | 420 | 620 | 15 | 60 HRC | — |
What is 1116?
1116 is a resulfurized free-machining carbon steel (UNS G11160) similar to 1115 and 1117, with a carbon level balanced for carburized, high-production turned parts. Default properties are 415 MPa yield, 490 MPa tensile, 20% elongation and 143 HB (78 HRB), with a machinability score of 78; it is stocked as HR, CD, stress-relieved, annealed, normalised and carburize-and-quench-tempered bar. The 0.16–0.23% sulfur that drives chip breaking also limits welding and transverse ductility, and the steel has no corrosion resistance. Choose 1117 or 8620 when case depth and core strength requirements are tighter. 1116 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). 1116 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1116 used for?
- Gears
- Shafts
- Bushings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 78/100, better than 97% 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
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 65 MPa·√m (59.2 ksi·√in), worse than 75% of steel grades
1116 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1116-CD; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1116 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical15
1116 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1116 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 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1116 conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1116 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
1116's machinability is very good (78/100, better than 97% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); 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. 1116 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1116
Is 1116 easy to machine?
Excellent free-machining behaviour — MnS breaks chips and lubricates the tool; run high speeds with light feeds and keep cutting fluid off the sulfide-rich surface only for finishing.
Can 1116 be welded?
Poor by carbon-steel standards: the 0.16–0.23 % S promotes hot cracking and porosity, so limit to low-stress tacks with low-hydrogen or high-Mn filler and preheat thicker sections.
Can 1116 be formed, bent or molded?
Fine for light cold heading and mild bends in the annealed/hot-rolled state; avoid tight transverse bends because sulfide stringers open up.
1116 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 resulfurized grade | 0.14 – 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Mnhigh Mn ties up S as MnS | 1.1 – 1.4 | 1.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Sfree-machining addition | 0.16 – 0.23 | 0.2 |
| Sinot specified for resulfurized bar unless ordered killed | — | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1116?
Not anodizable — protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate or zinc/nickel plating; inclusions can leave micro-pits after bright plating or high polish.
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 1116 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G11160
How much does 1116 cost?
1116 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.
1116 — frequently asked
What is 1116 used for?
1116 is typically used for gears, shafts and bushings. In short: free-machining carburizing grade; 20% elongation at 143 HB; limited weldability.
What is the yield strength of 1116?
1116 has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1116 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (78/100, better than 97% of steel grades). Excellent free-machining behaviour — MnS breaks chips and lubricates the tool; run high speeds with light feeds and keep cutting fluid off the sulfide-rich surface only for finishing.
Can 1116 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Poor by carbon-steel standards: the 0.16–0.23 % S promotes hot cracking and porosity, so limit to low-stress tacks with low-hydrogen or high-Mn filler and preheat thicker sections.
What surface finishes work on 1116?
Not anodizable — protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate or zinc/nickel plating; inclusions can leave micro-pits after bright plating or high polish.
Can 1116 be formed, bent or molded?
Fine for light cold heading and mild bends in the annealed/hot-rolled state; avoid tight transverse bends because sulfide stringers open up.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1116?
1116 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 1116-CD and 1116-HR?
CD is the default condition — the standard stocked condition: close tolerance, bright finish and best chip control for automatic screw machines. HR: cheapest form for large-diameter parts that will be fully machined or later carburized. Yield strength is 415 MPa in CD versus 235 MPa in HR.
How much does 1116 cost?
1116 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 A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 16 — Machining (free-machining steel ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- GB/T 8731 (Y15Mn/Y20Mn near-equivalents) — SAC (2008)
- Mysteel / 1688 — 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.