Steel 1212 · supply condition
Steel 1212-CD
Properties of the CD condition, compared with the other 1212 tempers.
Default stock condition: cold-drawn round/hex bar for CNC and screw-machine work, best size tolerance and finish.
What is 1212-CD?
1212-CD is 1212 supplied in the CD condition — default stock condition: cold-drawn round/hex bar for CNC and screw-machine work, best size tolerance and finish. 1212-CD has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1212-CD has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CD is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 90/100, 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
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
1212-CD properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1212-CD — 14 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1212 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1212-CD has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical14
1212-CD has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1212-CD 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-CD 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-CD 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-CD's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 99% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1212 tempers and conditions
1212 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1212 overview.
- HRDefaultLowest-cost as-rolled bar; pick when stock will be fully machined and tolerance/finish of the mill surface is irrelevant.220 MPa yield · 121 HB
- CDDefault stock condition: cold-drawn round/hex bar for CNC and screw-machine work, best size tolerance and finish.415 MPa yield · 167 HB
Working with 1212-CD
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.
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.
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 | — |
1212-CD — frequently asked
What is 1212-CD used for?
1212-CD 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-CD?
1212-CD has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 55% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1212-CD easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, 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-CD 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-CD?
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-CD 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-CD?
1212-CD 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1212-CD?
Yes — 1212-CD is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.