Steel 1117
AISI/SAE 1117 · UNS G11170 · EN 1.0727 · GB Y15
1117 is a resulfurized low-carbon free-machining steel (≈0.17 % C, 1.15 % Mn, 0.08–0.13 % S) in which manganese-sulfide inclusions break up chips and lubricate the tool, giving about 90 % of the machinability of 1212 at higher strength than 1215.
Values for the HR condition
1117 tempers and conditions
1117 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
subcritical / full anneal | Softest, most stable condition — use before heavy cold forming, deep upsetting or to relieve cold-drawn residual stress. | 220 | 405 | 35 | 116 HB | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Cheapest stock form for machined parts where a rough surface and ±loose size tolerance are acceptable. | 235 | 425 | 33 | 121 HB | — |
Normalized | Uniform fine grain and consistent machining response for forged or heavily worked sections. | 255 | 450 | 31 | 130 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Cold rolled | Cold-rolled flats and strip for machined or stamped-then-machined parts needing a bright, dimensionally accurate section. | 395 | 470 | 16 | 137 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
Carburized, quenched and low-temperature tempered | Pick when a machined 1117 part needs a hard wear surface (0.3–1.0 mm case) over a tough low-carbon core. | 400 | 620 | 14 | 60 HRC | 10.2 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Standard free-machining bar stock: bright surface, close diameter tolerance and ~70 % higher yield strength than hot rolled. | 415 | 485 | 15 | 143 HB | — |
What is 1117?
1117 is a resulfurized low-carbon free-machining steel (≈0.17 % C, 1.15 % Mn, 0.08–0.13 % S) in which manganese-sulfide inclusions break up chips and lubricate the tool, giving about 90 % of the machinability of 1212 at higher strength than 1215. It is the standard choice for high-volume turned parts — pins, bushings, studs, small shafts and fittings — and it carburizes well for wear-resistant cases on a tough low-carbon core. Limits are poor transverse ductility and impact toughness from the sulfide stringers, hot-cracking sensitivity in welding, and essentially no corrosion resistance, so plating or oiling is required. 1117 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). 1117 has a yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 33% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1117 used for?
- Splines
- Gears
- Screw machine products
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 33%, better than 96% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 70/100, better than 96% 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
- Low strength — 235 MPa (34.1 ksi), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1117 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1117-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1117 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).
Mechanical13
1117 has a yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 33% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1117 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
1117 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 1117 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
1117's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 96% of steel grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability good (60/100).
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. 1117 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1117
Is 1117 easy to machine?
Excellent — free-cutting sulfides give short chips, low tool wear and good finish at high speeds; cold-drawn bar turns best, annealed stock can be slightly gummy.
Can 1117 be welded?
Fair at best — the 0.08–0.13 % S promotes hot cracking and porosity; use low-hydrogen or high-Mn filler, low heat input, and avoid critical structural welds.
Can 1117 be formed, bent or molded?
Adequate cold bending in the rolling direction only; transverse ductility is poor because of sulfide stringers, so anneal or bend generously and avoid tight transverse radii.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 1117. Every 1117 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent70 / 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 |
1117 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 | 0.14 – 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Mn | 1 – 1.3 | 1.15 |
| Sresulfurized for free machining (MnS inclusions) | 0.08 – 0.13 | 0.1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Sinot specified for basic open-hearth/BOF bar; typical residual | ≤ 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1117?
No corrosion resistance — specify zinc, nickel or Zn-Ni plating, black oxide, phosphate-and-oil or paint; sulfide inclusions can cause slight pitting/pull-out on mirror-polished or plated surfaces.
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 1117 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G11170
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.0727
- GB (China)
- Y15
How much does 1117 cost?
1117 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.
1117 — frequently asked
What is 1117 used for?
1117 is typically used for splines, gears and screw machine products. In short: free-machining carbon steel.
What is the yield strength of 1117?
1117 has a typical yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1117 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 96% of steel grades). Excellent — free-cutting sulfides give short chips, low tool wear and good finish at high speeds; cold-drawn bar turns best, annealed stock can be slightly gummy.
Can 1117 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). Fair at best — the 0.08–0.13 % S promotes hot cracking and porosity; use low-hydrogen or high-Mn filler, low heat input, and avoid critical structural welds.
What surface finishes work on 1117?
No corrosion resistance — specify zinc, nickel or Zn-Ni plating, black oxide, phosphate-and-oil or paint; sulfide inclusions can cause slight pitting/pull-out on mirror-polished or plated surfaces.
Can 1117 be formed, bent or molded?
Adequate cold bending in the rolling direction only; transverse ductility is poor because of sulfide stringers, so anneal or bend generously and avoid tight transverse radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1117?
1117 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 1117-HR and 1117-CD?
HR is the default condition — cheapest stock form for machined parts where a rough surface and ±loose size tolerance are acceptable. CD: standard free-machining bar stock: bright surface, close diameter tolerance and ~70 % higher yield strength than hot rolled. Yield strength is 235 MPa in HR versus 415 MPa in CD.
How much does 1117 cost?
1117 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1117?
Yes — 1117 is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements — ASTM (2020)
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- GB/T 8731 (Y15) — SAC (2008)
- EN 10087 — Free-cutting steels (11SMn30, 1.0715) — CEN (1998)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Mysteel / SMM Y15 (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.