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Steel 1140-HR (Hot rolled)

Supply condition

AISI/SAE 1140 · UNS G11400

Lowest-cost condition for parts machined all over or for subsequent heat treatment.

Budget cost $

Values for the HR condition

Other 1140 tempers and conditions

1140 is listed in 9 conditions; see the grade overview at 1140.

Compare all 9 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Solution annealed
Softest, most stable condition — for deep boring, cold forming or before final hardening.31056024156 HB—
HRThis page
Hot rolled
Lowest-cost condition for parts machined all over or for subsequent heat treatment.34558520170 HB—
Normalized
Refines grain and homogenises hot-rolled bar before quench-and-temper or heavy machining.3756502210 HRC10 % IACS
Cold drawn, stress relieved
Use where cold-drawn strength is wanted but distortion during heavy one-side machining must be minimised.4806201811 HRC10 % IACS
CDDefault
Cold drawn
Most stocked condition: higher yield strength, tight size tolerance and a bright, chip-friendly surface for screw-machine work.55065515197 HB—
Induction hardened
Use when wear-resistant journal or spline surfaces are needed on a tough core.5808001054 HRC9 % IACS
oil quenched, high temper (≈620 °C)
Choose for shafts needing balanced strength and toughness that will still be machined after heat treatment.6208001824 HRC—
oil quenched, tempered ≈540 °C
Standard through-hardened condition for medium-duty shafts, pins and couplings.7909501530 HRC—
oil quenched, tempered ≈430 °C
Highest practical strength for 1140 sections; accept low ductility and difficult machining.1,0301,1801238 HRC—

What is 1140-HR?

1140-HR is 1140 supplied in the HR condition — lowest-cost condition for parts machined all over or for subsequent heat treatment. 1140-HR has a yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 75% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1140-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). CD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HR is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Easy to machine — 64/100, better than 92% of steel grades
  • Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
  • Conducts heat well — 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Low fracture toughness — 50 MPa·√m (45.5 ksi·√in), worse than 86% of steel grades
  • Low strength — 345 MPa (50 ksi), worse than 75% of steel grades

1140-HR properties

Typical room-temperature values for 1140-HR; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1140 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

1140-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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,495°C2,723 °F

Mechanical16

1140-HR has a yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 75% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)585 MPa84.8 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)345 MPa50 ksi
Elongation at Break20%
Reduction in Area40%
Compressive Strength560 MPa81.2 ksi
Shear Strength355 MPa51.5 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)265 MPa38.4 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)50 MPa·√m45.5 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)20 J14.8 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell170 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B87 HRB
Hardness, Vickers207 HV

Thermal6

1140-HR is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity49 W/m·K28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity486 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion247 J/g106 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)400°C752 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

1140-HR conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity10 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.61 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended10/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts readily in humid air and water; attacked by dilute acids and chlorides. Acceptable in dry oils/greases; requires oil, phosphate, zinc plating, black oxide or paint for service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 1140-HR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)1.9 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content35%

Manufacturability7

1140-HR's machinability is good (64/100, better than 92% of steel grades); weldability poor (32/100); formability fair (45/100).

MachinabilityGood64/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)65%
WeldabilityPoor32/100
Formability (cold)Fair45/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood55/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use black oxide, phosphate, zinc or nickel plating instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 1140-HR

Is 1140 easy to machine?

Excellent free-machining behaviour (~70 % of 1212); run high speeds with positive-rake carbide, light feeds and sulfurized oil for good chip control and finish.

Can 1140 be welded?

Not recommended for structural welds — high sulfur promotes hot cracking and 0.40 % C needs 150–260 °C preheat plus post-weld stress relief; use low-hydrogen filler if unavoidable.

Can 1140 be formed, bent or molded?

Limited cold formability, especially transverse to the rolling direction; hot form at 1100–1200 °C and anneal before severe bending or heading.

What surface finishes work on 1140?

No inherent corrosion resistance — protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate, zinc or nickel plating; sulfide inclusions can leave micro-pits in high-gloss polished or plated surfaces.

1140 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CSAE J403 / ASTM A29 heat analysis0.37 – 0.440.4
Mn0.7 – 10.85
Sresulfurized for machinability0.08 – 0.130.1
P≤ 0.040.02
Sinot specified for resulfurized grades unless agreed (typ. 0.15–0.30 in Si-killed heats)——
Febalance—

1140-HR — frequently asked

What is 1140-HR used for?

1140-HR is typically used for shafts, gears, axles and machined structural parts. In short: heat-treatable free-cutting bar; wide range of tempers; limited weldability.

What is the yield strength of 1140-HR?

1140-HR has a typical yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 75% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.

Is 1140-HR easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (64/100, better than 92% of steel grades). Excellent free-machining behaviour (~70 % of 1212); run high speeds with positive-rake carbide, light feeds and sulfurized oil for good chip control and finish.

Can 1140-HR be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (32/100). Not recommended for structural welds — high sulfur promotes hot cracking and 0.40 % C needs 150–260 °C preheat plus post-weld stress relief; use low-hydrogen filler if unavoidable.

What surface finishes work on 1140-HR?

No inherent corrosion resistance — protect with oil, black oxide, phosphate, zinc or nickel plating; sulfide inclusions can leave micro-pits in high-gloss polished or plated surfaces.

Can 1140-HR be formed, bent or molded?

Limited cold formability, especially transverse to the rolling direction; hot form at 1100–1200 °C and anneal before severe bending or heading.

What is the maximum service temperature of 1140-HR?

1140-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 1140-CD and 1140-A?

CD is the default condition — most stocked condition: higher yield strength, tight size tolerance and a bright, chip-friendly surface for screw-machine work. A: softest, most stable condition — for deep boring, cold forming or before final hardening. Yield strength is 550 MPa in CD versus 310 MPa in A.

Sources

  1. SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
  2. ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements — ASTM (2020)
  3. ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
  6. ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
  7. Mysteel / SMM · (2026)

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.