Steel 1146-CR (Cold rolled)
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 1146 · UNS G11460
Flat/strip form of the cold-worked condition, for blanked and machined plate-like parts with a clean surface.
Values for the CR condition
Other 1146 tempers and conditions
1146 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 1146.
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 |
CRThis page 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-CR?
1146-CR is 1146 supplied in the CR condition — flat/strip form of the cold-worked condition, for blanked and machined plate-like parts with a clean surface. 1146-CR has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — stronger than 71% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1146-CR 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 72/100, better than 97% 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
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 22/100, worse than 76% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 75% of steel grades
1146-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1146-CR; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1146 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1146-CR 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-CR has a yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — stronger than 71% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1146-CR is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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-CR 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-CR 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-CR's machinability is very good (72/100, better than 97% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (22/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1146-CR
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.
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.
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 | — |
1146-CR — frequently asked
What is 1146-CR used for?
1146-CR 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-CR?
1146-CR has a typical yield strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — stronger than 71% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1146-CR easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (72/100, better than 97% 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-CR be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). 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-CR?
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-CR 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-CR?
1146-CR is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1146-CR?
Yes — 1146-CR 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.