Steel 1146
AISI/SAE 1146 · UNS G11460
1146 (UNS G11460) is a medium-carbon resulfurized free-machining carbon-manganese steel with roughly 0.45 % C and 0.10 % S, carrying slightly more carbon than 1144 so strength and hardness increase while the manganese sulfides still break chips.
Values for the HR condition
1146 tempers and conditions
1146 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
full/subcritical anneal | Softest condition; use for maximum ductility before heavy forming or to relieve prior cold work. | 300 | 550 | 24 | 156 HB | 10 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Cheapest standard stock for machined parts and weldments where surface finish and tolerance are not critical. | 325 | 585 | 18 | 170 HB | — |
austenitize ~870 °C, air cool | Use to homogenize grain size and mechanical properties after forging or before hardening. | 345 | 620 | 20 | 179 HB | 10 % IACS |
Cold rolled | Flat/strip form of the cold-worked condition, for blanked and machined plate-like parts with a clean surface. | 550 | 650 | 14 | 195 HB | 10 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick for turned/screw-machine parts needing tight tolerance, straightness and higher yield without heat treatment. | 565 | 655 | 15 | 197 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Choose when the finished part needs 700–900 MPa strength with useful ductility, e.g. shafts, studs, gear blanks. | 590 | 790 | 17 | 22 HRC | — |
What is 1146?
1146 (UNS G11460) is a medium-carbon resulfurized free-machining carbon-manganese steel with roughly 0.45 % C and 0.10 % S, carrying slightly more carbon than 1144 so strength and hardness increase while the manganese sulfides still break chips. Typical bar gives 325 MPa yield, 585 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and 170 HB (87 HRB) with a machinability rating of 68, which suits high-volume turned and screw-machine parts that need moderate strength as-supplied. It has no corrosion resistance and welds poorly because of the sulfur and carbon content; use 1045 for welded assemblies or 1144 where slightly lower strength is acceptable. 1146 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). 1146 has a yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 80% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1146 used for?
- Threaded shafts and studs
- Pinions and gear blanks
- Screw-machine fittings
- Couplings and collars
- Bushings and spacers
- Hydraulic valve spools
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 68/100, better than 95% 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
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Low strength — 325 MPa (47.1 ksi), worse than 80% of steel grades
1146 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1146-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1146 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical13
1146 has a yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 80% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1146 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).
Electrical3
1146 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 1146 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
1146's machinability is good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades); weldability poor (28/100); formability poor (32/100).
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. 1146 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1146
Is 1146 easy to machine?
Excellent turning and screw-machine behavior — sulfides break chips; run 20–30 % faster than 1045 and expect good tool life with carbide.
Can 1146 be welded?
Poor: 0.45 % C plus 0.10 % S invites hot cracking and hard HAZ — preheat 200–260 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, PWHT, or avoid welding entirely.
Can 1146 be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability, strongly directional because of sulfide stringers; hot forge 1100–1200 °C and normalize afterwards.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 1146. Every 1146 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent68 / 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 |
1146 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 | 0.42 – 0.49 | 0.46 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Sresulfurized for free machining | 0.08 – 0.13 | 0.1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Sinot specified for 11xx bar; typical residual | ≈ 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1146?
No inherent corrosion resistance — oil, phosphate-and-oil, black oxide, zinc or nickel plating; sulfide inclusions can leave small pits on high-polish 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 1146 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G11460
How much does 1146 cost?
1146 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.
1146 — frequently asked
What is 1146 used for?
1146 is typically used for threaded shafts and studs, pinions and gear blanks, screw-machine fittings, couplings and collars, bushings and spacers and hydraulic valve spools. In short: resulfurized carbon-manganese bar.
What is the yield strength of 1146?
1146 has a typical yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) — weaker than 80% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1146 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades). Excellent turning and screw-machine behavior — sulfides break chips; run 20–30 % faster than 1045 and expect good tool life with carbide.
Can 1146 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (28/100). Poor: 0.45 % C plus 0.10 % S invites hot cracking and hard HAZ — preheat 200–260 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, PWHT, or avoid welding entirely.
What surface finishes work on 1146?
No inherent corrosion resistance — oil, phosphate-and-oil, black oxide, zinc or nickel plating; sulfide inclusions can leave small pits on high-polish surfaces.
Can 1146 be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability, strongly directional because of sulfide stringers; hot forge 1100–1200 °C and normalize afterwards.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1146?
1146 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 1146-HR and 1146-CD?
HR is the default condition — cheapest standard stock for machined parts and weldments where surface finish and tolerance are not critical. CD: pick for turned/screw-machine parts needing tight tolerance, straightness and higher yield without heat treatment. Yield strength is 325 MPa in HR versus 565 MPa in CD.
How much does 1146 cost?
1146 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 1146?
Yes — 1146 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
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A29/A29M — General Requirements for 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 (machinability ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- GB/T 8731 — (comparable Y45Mn) — SAC (2008)
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.