Steel 1211-CD (Cold drawn)
Supply condition · default condition
AISI/SAE 1211 · UNS G12110
Standard stock condition for automatic-screw-machine work: highest strength, best size tolerance and surface finish.
Values for the CD condition
Other 1211 tempers and conditions
1211 is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at 1211.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot rolled | Lowest-cost form for larger sections that will be fully machined; softer, more ductile, poorer tolerance and finish than cold drawn. | 230 | 380 | 25 | 121 HB | — |
Annealed | Choose when maximum ductility for secondary heading/bending or stress relief after heavy cold work is needed. | 250 | 395 | 28 | 116 HB | — |
Cold drawn, stress relieved | Pick when long slender turned parts must stay straight — low-temperature stress relief cuts machining distortion with small strength loss. | 430 | 515 | 13 | 156 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
CDDefaultThis page Cold drawn | Standard stock condition for automatic-screw-machine work: highest strength, best size tolerance and surface finish. | 470 | 540 | 10 | 163 HB | — |
What is 1211-CD?
1211-CD is 1211 supplied in the CD condition — standard stock condition for automatic-screw-machine work: highest strength, best size tolerance and surface finish. 1211-CD has a yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — stronger than 57% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1211-CD has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 91% 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
1211-CD properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1211-CD; 15 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1211 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1211-CD has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical15
1211-CD has a yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — stronger than 57% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1211-CD is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1211-CD conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (8/100), worse than 99% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1211-CD takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
1211-CD's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 99% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (30/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1211-CD
Is 1211 easy to machine?
Excellent — high speeds and feeds on screw machines, short broken chips, long tool life; sulfides give good finish but avoid very light finishing cuts that smear.
Can 1211 be welded?
Poor — high S and P cause hot cracking and porosity; avoid structural welding, or use low-hydrogen filler with preheat and accept reduced properties.
Can 1211 be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability in the drawn condition; bend on generous radii transverse to the rolling direction or anneal first, since sulfide stringers split on tight bends.
What surface finishes work on 1211?
Not anodizable; protect with zinc or nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate + oil or paint — sulfide inclusions can leave microporosity in plated surfaces.
1211 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cmax only per SAE J403 | ≤ 0.13 | 0.1 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| Prephosphorized for chip breaking | 0.07 – 0.12 | 0.09 |
| Sresulfurized — MnS inclusions | 0.1 – 0.15 | 0.12 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1211-CD — frequently asked
What is 1211-CD used for?
1211-CD is typically used for screw machine parts, small precision components and fittings. In short: top-machining low-carbon bar; built for automatic screw machines; poor welding and bending.
What is the yield strength of 1211-CD?
1211-CD has a typical yield strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — stronger than 57% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 1211-CD easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 99% of steel grades). Excellent — high speeds and feeds on screw machines, short broken chips, long tool life; sulfides give good finish but avoid very light finishing cuts that smear.
Can 1211-CD be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Poor — high S and P cause hot cracking and porosity; avoid structural welding, or use low-hydrogen filler with preheat and accept reduced properties.
What surface finishes work on 1211-CD?
Not anodizable; protect with zinc or nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate + oil or paint — sulfide inclusions can leave microporosity in plated surfaces.
Can 1211-CD be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability in the drawn condition; bend on generous radii transverse to the rolling direction or anneal first, since sulfide stringers split on tight bends.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1211-CD?
1211-CD is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1211-CD and 1211-HR?
CD is the default condition — standard stock condition for automatic-screw-machine work: highest strength, best size tolerance and surface finish. HR: lowest-cost form for larger sections that will be fully machined; softer, more ductile, poorer tolerance and finish than cold drawn. Yield strength is 470 MPa in CD versus 230 MPa in HR.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements — 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)
- SAE J1397 — Estimated Mechanical Properties and Machinability of Steel Bars — SAE International (2009)
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.