Steel 1151
AISI/SAE 1151 · UNS G11510
1151 is a higher-carbon resulfurized free-machining steel (SAE/AISI 1151, UNS G15110 series listing UNS G11510) with roughly 0.5 % carbon for greater hardness and wear resistance after heat treatment.
Reference datasheet — 1151 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the CD condition
1151 tempers and conditions
1151 is supplied in 9 conditions, soft to hard. CD is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 9 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition — for cold heading, deep boring or where maximum dimensional stability before hardening is wanted. | 320 | 585 | 22 | 167 HB | 10 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Lowest-cost as-rolled bar for parts that will be fully machined or later heat treated. | 360 | 655 | 15 | 192 HB | — |
Normalized | Uniform fine pearlitic structure — used to refine grain after hot forging and before quench-and-temper. | 415 | 720 | 18 | 16 HRC | 9.8 % IACS |
Cold drawn, stress relieved | Choose when straightness must be held after heavy asymmetric machining or before induction hardening. | 585 | 720 | 12 | 15 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
CDDefault Cold drawn | Standard stocked condition: close tolerance, bright surface, higher strength and best chip control for screw-machine work. | 640 | 745 | 10 | 217 HB | — |
Induction hardened | Pick when a hard wear surface (55+ HRC case) is needed over a tough, already machined cold-drawn core. | 640 | 745 | 8 | 57 HRC | 8.5 % IACS |
Q&T 22–26 HRC | Tough general-purpose heat-treated condition for shafts and pins that still need some machining after heat treat. | 690 | 830 | 18 | 24 HRC | — |
Q&T 28–32 HRC | Most common heat-treated hardness band for wear-resisting shafts, gear blanks and hydraulic parts. | 800 | 965 | 15 | 30 HRC | — |
Q&T 35–40 HRC | Highest practical through-hardened strength for this grade where wear resistance outweighs toughness. | 1,030 | 1,210 | 11 | 38 HRC | — |
What is 1151?
1151 is a higher-carbon resulfurized free-machining steel (SAE/AISI 1151, UNS G15110 series listing UNS G11510) with roughly 0.5 % carbon for greater hardness and wear resistance after heat treatment. It is used for machined parts that will be quenched and tempered or induction hardened, and is stocked hot-rolled, cold-drawn, stress-relieved, annealed, normalized and in QT-25, QT-30 and QT-38 HRC conditions. Cold-drawn bar runs about 640 MPa yield, 745 MPa tensile, 10 % elongation and 217 HB, with machinability 75. Weldability is very low (20) and cold formability poor (30); 1144 is the common alternative when higher strength with easier availability is needed. 1151 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). 1151 has a yield strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 745 MPa (108 ksi) — stronger than 79% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1151 used for?
- Shafts
- spindles
- wear-resistant machined parts
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 75/100, 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 strength — 640 MPa (92.8 ksi), better than 79% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 50 MPa·√m (45.5 ksi·√in), worse than 86% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1151 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1151-CD; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1151 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).
Mechanical16
1151 has a yield strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 745 MPa (108 ksi) — stronger than 79% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1151 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
1151 conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1151 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
1151's machinability is very good (75/100, better than 97% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (30/100).
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. 1151 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1151
Is 1151 easy to machine?
Excellent chip breaking on automatic screw machines; run 15–25 % slower than 1215 and use positive-rake carbide with good coolant since the higher carbon raises cutting forces.
Can 1151 be welded?
Not recommended — high sulfur plus ~0.5 % C gives hot cracking and hard martensitic HAZ; if unavoidable, preheat 200–300 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld temper.
Can 1151 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability is poor in the drawn condition (sulfide stringers split on tight bends); anneal or hot form above 900 °C, forge 1150–1230 °C.
1151 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cheat analysis, SAE J403 | 0.48 – 0.55 | 0.51 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Sresulfurized for free machining | 0.08 – 0.13 | 0.1 |
| Sinot specified for 11xx resulfurized grades unless agreed | — | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1151?
Rusts quickly — protect with oil, zinc/black-oxide/phosphate coating or hard chrome; nitriding and induction hardening are effective for wear surfaces, mirror polishing is limited by inclusions.
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 1151 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G11510
How much does 1151 cost?
1151 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.
1151 — frequently asked
What is 1151 used for?
1151 is typically used for shafts, spindles and wear-resistant machined parts. In short: hardest free-cutting 11xx grade; wear surfaces after hardening; effectively non-weldable.
What is the yield strength of 1151?
1151 has a typical yield strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 745 MPa (108 ksi) — stronger than 79% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 1151 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (75/100, better than 97% of steel grades). Excellent chip breaking on automatic screw machines; run 15–25 % slower than 1215 and use positive-rake carbide with good coolant since the higher carbon raises cutting forces.
Can 1151 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Not recommended — high sulfur plus ~0.5 % C gives hot cracking and hard martensitic HAZ; if unavoidable, preheat 200–300 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld temper.
What surface finishes work on 1151?
Rusts quickly — protect with oil, zinc/black-oxide/phosphate coating or hard chrome; nitriding and induction hardening are effective for wear surfaces, mirror polishing is limited by inclusions.
Can 1151 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formability is poor in the drawn condition (sulfide stringers split on tight bends); anneal or hot form above 900 °C, forge 1150–1230 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1151?
1151 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 1151-CD and 1151 QT-38?
CD is the default condition — standard stocked condition: close tolerance, bright surface, higher strength and best chip control for screw-machine work. QT-38: highest practical through-hardened strength for this grade where wear resistance outweighs toughness. Yield strength is 640 MPa in CD versus 1,030 MPa in QT-38.
How much does 1151 cost?
1151 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.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- SAE J1397 — Estimated Mechanical Properties and Machinability of Steel Bars — SAE International (2009)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements — ASTM International (2020)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM International (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; 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.