Steel 1213
AISI/SAE 1213 · UNS G12130
1213 is a resulfurized and rephosphorized low-carbon free-cutting steel (SAE/AISI 1213, UNS G12130; equivalents 9SMn36 and SUM23) and one of the most widely stocked grades for high-speed automatic screw machining.
Reference datasheet — 1213 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
1213 tempers and conditions
1213 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. CD is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition, used before severe cold heading or when maximum ductility is required. | 225 | 380 | 30 | 110 HB | 11 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Lowest-cost condition for larger bars that will be fully machined; softest and most ductile. | 235 | 395 | 25 | 116 HB | — |
Cold drawn, stress relieved | Choose when parts must stay straight after heavy asymmetric machining or grinding. | 380 | 505 | 14 | 156 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Carburized & quenched | Use when machined 1213 parts (bushings, pins, small gears) need a wear-resistant surface; core stays soft. | 400 | 560 | 12 | 58 HRC | 10.8 % IACS |
CDDefault Cold drawn | Standard stocked condition: straight, size-accurate bright bar with the best chip control on screw machines. | 415 | 540 | 10 | 167 HB | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 1213 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
TGP | Cold drawn, turned, ground and polished bar | Surface finish |
What is 1213?
1213 is a resulfurized and rephosphorized low-carbon free-cutting steel (SAE/AISI 1213, UNS G12130; equivalents 9SMn36 and SUM23) and one of the most widely stocked grades for high-speed automatic screw machining. It is supplied hot-rolled, cold-drawn, stress-relieved, TGP, annealed and in a carbonitrided/carburized condition for case-hardened parts. Cold-drawn bar is about 415 MPa yield, 540 MPa tensile, 10 % elongation and 167 HB, with a machinability rating of 92 — the benchmark of the family. Weldability (15) and formability (30) are the trade-offs; use 1018 where welding or bending is required. 1213 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). 1213 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 1213 used for?
- Screw machine parts
- electrical connectors
- small fasteners
- fittings
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 92/100, 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
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 35/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
1213 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1213-CD; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1213 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
1213 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1213 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 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1213 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 1213 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
1213's machinability is excellent (92/100, better than 99% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); 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. 1213 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1213
Is 1213 easy to machine?
Benchmark free-cutting steel: run high speeds with sharp positive tooling, sulphur-friendly coolant; sulfide inclusions break chips and extend tool life (≈136 % of 1212).
Can 1213 be welded?
Not recommended — high S and P cause hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable use low-hydrogen filler, preheat and expect reduced joint properties.
Can 1213 be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability; light knurling, thread rolling and mild staking are fine, but avoid sharp bends or heavy heading (transverse ductility is poor).
1213 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 SAE J403 / ASTM A29 | ≤ 0.13 | 0.1 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Prephosphorized for chip breaking | 0.07 – 0.12 | 0.09 |
| Sresulfurized — MnS inclusions | 0.24 – 0.33 | 0.28 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1213?
Rusts quickly bare — specify zinc or nickel plating, phosphate + oil, or black oxide; inclusion pull-out limits achievable mirror polish.
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 1213 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does 1213 cost?
1213 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.
1213 — frequently asked
What is 1213 used for?
1213 is typically used for screw machine parts, electrical connectors, small fasteners and fittings. In short: benchmark free-cutting steel; highest machinability rating; not weldable in practice.
What is the yield strength of 1213?
1213 has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is 1213 easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (92/100, better than 99% of steel grades). Benchmark free-cutting steel: run high speeds with sharp positive tooling, sulphur-friendly coolant; sulfide inclusions break chips and extend tool life (≈136 % of 1212).
Can 1213 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Not recommended — high S and P cause hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable use low-hydrogen filler, preheat and expect reduced joint properties.
What surface finishes work on 1213?
Rusts quickly bare — specify zinc or nickel plating, phosphate + oil, or black oxide; inclusion pull-out limits achievable mirror polish.
Can 1213 be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability; light knurling, thread rolling and mild staking are fine, but avoid sharp bends or heavy heading (transverse ductility is poor).
What is the maximum service temperature of 1213?
1213 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 1213-CD and 1213-ANN?
CD is the default condition — standard stocked condition: straight, size-accurate bright bar with the best chip control on screw machines. ANN: softest condition, used before severe cold heading or when maximum ductility is required. Yield strength is 415 MPa in CD versus 225 MPa in ANN.
How much does 1213 cost?
1213 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)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- SAE J1397 — Estimated Mechanical Properties and Machinability of Steel Bars — SAE International (2009)
- GB/T 8731 (Y15) — SAC (2008)
- EN 10087 / DIN 1651 free-cutting steels (9SMn36, 11SMnPb37) — CEN (1998)
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.