Steel 1117-N (Normalized)
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 1117 · UNS G11170 · EN 1.0727 · GB Y15
Uniform fine grain and consistent machining response for forged or heavily worked sections.
Values for the N condition
Other 1117 tempers and conditions
1117 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 1117.
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 | — |
NThis page 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-N?
1117-N is 1117 heat treated to N — uniform fine grain and consistent machining response for forged or heavily worked sections. 1117-N has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 31% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1117-N 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; N is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 68/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 31%, better than 94% 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 — 255 MPa (37 ksi), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1117-N properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1117-N; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1117 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1117-N 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-N has a yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 93% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 31% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1117-N 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-N 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-N 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-N's machinability is good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades); weldability fair (52/100); formability good (58/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1117-N
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.
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.
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 | — |
1117-N — frequently asked
What is 1117-N used for?
1117-N is typically used for splines, gears and screw machine products. In short: free-machining carbon steel.
What is the yield strength of 1117-N?
1117-N has a typical yield strength of 255 MPa (37 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 93% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1117-N easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 95% 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-N be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (52/100). 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-N?
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-N 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-N?
1117-N 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1117-N?
Yes — 1117-N 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.