Steel 1212 Q&T (Quenched and tempered)
Heat-treated state
AISI/SAE 1212 · UNS G12120 · EN 1.0711, 9SMn28
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.
Values for the Q&T condition
Other 1212 tempers and conditions
1212 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 1212.
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 |
Q&TThis page 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 Q&T?
1212 Q&T is 1212 heat treated to Q&T — 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. 1212 Q&T has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 86% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1212 Q&T 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 98% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Low strength — 300 MPa (43.5 ksi), worse than 86% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
1212 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1212 Q&T; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1212 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1212 Q&T 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 Q&T has a yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 86% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1212 Q&T is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1212 Q&T conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (9/100), worse than 98% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1212 Q&T 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 Q&T's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 98% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1212 Q&T
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 Q&T — frequently asked
What is 1212 Q&T used for?
1212 Q&T 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 Q&T?
1212 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 86% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1212 Q&T easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 98% 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 Q&T 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 Q&T?
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 Q&T 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 Q&T?
1212 Q&T is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °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 Q&T?
Yes — 1212 Q&T 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.