Steel 1137 · supply condition · default condition
Steel 1137-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other 1137 tempers.
Standard stocked condition for large-diameter screw-machine and forging stock; lowest cost.
What is 1137-HR?
1137-HR is 1137 supplied in the HR condition — standard stocked condition for large-diameter screw-machine and forging stock; lowest cost. 1137-HR has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1137-HR 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).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 70/100, better than 96% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
1137-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1137-HR — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1137 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1137-HR 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).
Mechanical13
1137-HR has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1137-HR is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1137-HR conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (9/100), worse than 98% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1137-HR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 40%.
Manufacturability7
1137-HR's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 96% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (35/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1137 tempers and conditions
1137 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1137 overview.
- HRDefaultStandard stocked condition for large-diameter screw-machine and forging stock; lowest cost.380 MPa yield · 179 HB
- QT-33-38HRCHighest practical Q&T band for 1137 where wear resistance matters more than toughness; machine before hardening.980 MPa yield · 35 HRC
- QT-28-32HRCStandard machine-shaft hardness band; good balance of strength, wear and remaining machinability.790 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- CDMost-used bar condition for automatic-lathe parts: tight tolerance, bright finish, higher strength and better chip control.620 MPa yield · 217 HB
- QT-22-26HRCModerate-strength tough condition for shafts and studs that still need reasonable machining after heat treat.620 MPa yield · 24 HRC
- CRCold-rolled flats and special sections; properties similar to cold drawn round bar, choose for flat/hex stock with bright surface.600 MPa yield · 212 HB
- NUniform fine pearlitic structure after forging; better toughness and consistency than as-rolled at similar strength.400 MPa yield · 197 HB
- AnnealedSoftest condition; pick when maximum ductility for cold heading/bending or a stress-free blank before hardening is needed.345 MPa yield · 174 HB
Working with 1137-HR
Is 1137 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour (≈70–72 % of 1212); MnS breaks chips, run high feeds with carbide and sulfur-bearing cutting oil.
Can 1137 be welded?
Not recommended — high sulfur plus 0.35 %C causes hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable, preheat 200–260 °C, low-hydrogen filler, post-weld stress relief.
Can 1137 be formed, bent or molded?
Poor transverse cold formability due to sulfide stringers; bend along the rolling direction with generous radii or hot form at 1000–1200 °C.
What surface finishes work on 1137?
Rusts quickly — protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc or chrome plating; can be induction hardened or nitrided for wear surfaces, but poor for mirror polishing.
1137 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 | 0.32 – 0.39 | 0.36 |
| Mn | 1.35 – 1.65 | 1.5 |
| Sresulfurized for free machining | 0.08 – 0.13 | 0.1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Sinot specified in SAE J403 for resulfurized grades; typical killed-steel level | ≤ 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1137-HR — frequently asked
What is 1137-HR used for?
1137-HR is typically used for screw machine parts, shafts and axles, studs, bolts and threaded components, pins and bushings, couplings and collars and induction-hardened gears and splines. In short: resulfurized machining bar.
What is the yield strength of 1137-HR?
1137-HR has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 67% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 1137-HR easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 96% of steel grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour (≈70–72 % of 1212); MnS breaks chips, run high feeds with carbide and sulfur-bearing cutting oil.
Can 1137-HR be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not recommended — high sulfur plus 0.35 %C causes hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable, preheat 200–260 °C, low-hydrogen filler, post-weld stress relief.
What surface finishes work on 1137-HR?
Rusts quickly — protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc or chrome plating; can be induction hardened or nitrided for wear surfaces, but poor for mirror polishing.
Can 1137-HR be formed, bent or molded?
Poor transverse cold formability due to sulfide stringers; bend along the rolling direction with generous radii or hot form at 1000–1200 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1137-HR?
1137-HR 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 1137-HR and 1137-CD?
HR is the default condition — standard stocked condition for large-diameter screw-machine and forging stock; lowest cost. CD: most-used bar condition for automatic-lathe parts: tight tolerance, bright finish, higher strength and better chip control. Yield strength is 380 MPa in HR versus 620 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1137-HR?
Yes — 1137-HR is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- SAE J1397 — Estimated Mechanical Properties of Steel Bars — SAE International (2018)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — 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 — ASM International (1989)
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.