Steel 1212
AISI/SAE 1212 · UNS G12120 · EN 1.0711, 9SMn28
1212 is a resulfurized free-cutting carbon steel (G12120, EN 9SMn28 / 1.0715, GB Y12) in which manganese sulfide inclusions break chips and lubricate the cut.
Values for the HR condition
1212 tempers and conditions
1212 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
subcritical / stress-relief annealed | Softest condition; used to relieve cold-draw stresses before heavy asymmetric machining to limit distortion. | 205 | 360 | 32 | 110 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Lowest-cost as-rolled bar; pick when stock will be fully machined and tolerance/finish of the mill surface is irrelevant. | 220 | 386 | 28 | 121 HB | — |
austenitized ~900 °C, air cooled | Rarely ordered for this grade; used only to homogenize grain size after hot working before finish machining. | 235 | 400 | 27 | 120 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Listed for completeness only: with C ≤ 0.13 % this grade has essentially no through-hardening response — specify carbonitriding/case hardening or switch to 1141/1144 if hardness is needed. | 300 | 450 | 24 | 135 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
Cold rolled | Cold-rolled strip form (uncommon for this grade) for stamped-then-machined small parts; work-hardened, low ductility. | 350 | 480 | 15 | 150 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Default stock condition: cold-drawn round/hex bar for CNC and screw-machine work, best size tolerance and finish. | 415 | 540 | 10 | 167 HB | — |
What is 1212?
1212 is a resulfurized free-cutting carbon steel (G12120, EN 9SMn28 / 1.0715, GB Y12) in which manganese sulfide inclusions break chips and lubricate the cut. It is the standard bar stock for high-volume automatic lathe and screw-machine work, supplied hot-rolled, cold-drawn, annealed, normalized or Q&T at 220 MPa yield, 386 MPa tensile, 28 % elongation and 121 HB, and it is the traditional 100 % machinability benchmark (rated 88 here). Strength is low, cold formability is poor (rated 45), welding is not recommended because of hot cracking, and it rusts quickly. Use 1018 where the part must be welded or bent. 1212 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). 1212 has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 386 MPa (56 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1212 used for?
- Screw machine parts
- Fasteners, studs and threaded inserts
- Bushings, spacers and collars
- Hydraulic and pneumatic fittings
- Shafts, pins and dowels for light duty
- Instrument and appliance hardware
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 88/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 220 MPa (31.9 ksi), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
1212 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1212-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1212 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).
Mechanical14
1212 has a yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 386 MPa (56 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1212 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1212 conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (9/100), worse than 98% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1212 takes about 27 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 59% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
1212's machinability is excellent (88/100, better than 99% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. 1212 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1212
Is 1212 easy to machine?
The 100 % machinability benchmark — high speeds, free-breaking chips, excellent tool life; keep feeds up so MnS lubrication works and avoid dwelling on finish passes.
Can 1212 be welded?
Not recommended: high sulfur and phosphorus cause hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable, use low-hydrogen filler, preheat and expect reduced joint ductility.
Can 1212 be formed, bent or molded?
Poor cold formability — sulfide stringers split under bending, especially transverse; hot forge 1100–1250 °C and never below ~900 °C.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 1212. Every 1212 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent88 / 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 |
1212 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 per ASTM A29/SAE J403 | ≤ 0.13 | 0.1 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Prephosphorized for chip brittleness | 0.07 – 0.12 | 0.09 |
| Sresulfurized; forms MnS chip breakers | 0.16 – 0.23 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1212?
Rusts quickly, so zinc/nickel plating, black oxide or phosphate-and-oil is standard; sulfide inclusions can leave streaks on polished or plated 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 1212 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 1212 cost?
1212 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.
1212 — frequently asked
What is 1212 used for?
1212 is typically used for screw machine parts, fasteners, studs and threaded inserts, bushings, spacers and collars, hydraulic and pneumatic fittings, shafts, pins and dowels for light duty and instrument and appliance hardware. In short: workhorse free-machining bar.
What is the yield strength of 1212?
1212 has a typical yield strength of 220 MPa (31.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 386 MPa (56 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1212 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, better than 99% of steel grades). The 100 % machinability benchmark — high speeds, free-breaking chips, excellent tool life; keep feeds up so MnS lubrication works and avoid dwelling on finish passes.
Can 1212 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not recommended: high sulfur and phosphorus cause hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable, use low-hydrogen filler, preheat and expect reduced joint ductility.
What surface finishes work on 1212?
Rusts quickly, so zinc/nickel plating, black oxide or phosphate-and-oil is standard; sulfide inclusions can leave streaks on polished or plated surfaces.
Can 1212 be formed, bent or molded?
Poor cold formability — sulfide stringers split under bending, especially transverse; hot forge 1100–1250 °C and never below ~900 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1212?
1212 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 1212-HR and 1212-CD?
HR is the default condition — lowest-cost as-rolled bar; pick when stock will be fully machined and tolerance/finish of the mill surface is irrelevant. CD: default stock condition: cold-drawn round/hex bar for CNC and screw-machine work, best size tolerance and finish. Yield strength is 220 MPa in HR versus 415 MPa in CD.
How much does 1212 cost?
1212 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 1212?
Yes — 1212 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
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements — ASTM (2020)
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
- EN 10087 — Free-cutting steels (9SMn28 / 1.0711) — CEN (1998)
- GB/T 8731 — (Y12 etc.) — SAC (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Mysteel / 1688 (2025)
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.