Steel 1215 · heat-treated state
Steel 1215 Carburized
Properties of the Carburized condition, compared with the other 1215 tempers.
Use when a wear-resistant surface is needed on a cheap machined part; core stays soft and low strength.
What is 1215 Carburized?
1215 Carburized is 1215 heat treated to Carburized — use when a wear-resistant surface is needed on a cheap machined part; core stays soft and low strength. 1215 Carburized has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1215 Carburized 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; Carburized is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- 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
- Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
1215 Carburized properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1215 Carburized — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1215 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1215 Carburized 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).
Mechanical12
1215 Carburized has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1215 Carburized 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
1215 Carburized 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 1215 Carburized takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
1215 Carburized's machinability is poor (15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1215 tempers and conditions
1215 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1215 overview.
- HRDefaultCheapest form, for large sections or when material will be machined all over and tolerances come from cutting.250 MPa yield · 121 HB
- CDDefault stock condition for screw-machine bar: best size tolerance, straightness and chip control.415 MPa yield · 167 HB
- CRCold-rolled flats and profiles where a smooth surface and tight thickness tolerance are needed.400 MPa yield · 163 HB
- CarburizedUse when a wear-resistant surface is needed on a cheap machined part; core stays soft and low strength.380 MPa yield · 58 HRC
- AnnealedChoose when maximum ductility for heading, staking or severe machining-stress relief is required.240 MPa yield · 111 HB
Working with 1215 Carburized
Is 1215 easy to machine?
Outstanding on CNC/screw machines — short broken chips, high feeds and speeds, long tool life; keep speeds high enough to avoid built-up edge on soft, low-carbon matrix.
Can 1215 be welded?
Not recommended: high sulfur and phosphorus promote hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable, use low-hydrogen filler, preheat and accept reduced joint properties.
Can 1215 be formed, bent or molded?
Poor cold formability — avoid tight bends, heading or severe upsetting; inclusion stringers cause transverse splitting, so form only with generous radii or in the annealed condition.
What surface finishes work on 1215?
Takes zinc/nickel plating, black oxide and phosphate well after good cleaning; mirror polishing is limited by inclusion pull-out, and bare parts need oil or plating to prevent rust.
1215 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A29/A108 grade 1215 | ≤ 0.09 | 0.07 |
| Mn | 0.75 – 1.05 | 0.9 |
| Prephosphorized for chip breaking | 0.04 – 0.09 | 0.06 |
| SMnS inclusions give free-machining behaviour | 0.26 – 0.35 | 0.3 |
| Pbonly in leaded equivalents 12L15 / 9SMnPb28 / Y12Pb; not present in plain 1215 | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1215 Carburized — frequently asked
What is 1215 Carburized used for?
1215 Carburized is typically used for fasteners, bushings and hose fittings. In short: easiest machining steel.
What is the yield strength of 1215 Carburized?
1215 Carburized has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — weaker than 67% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1215 Carburized easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades). Outstanding on CNC/screw machines — short broken chips, high feeds and speeds, long tool life; keep speeds high enough to avoid built-up edge on soft, low-carbon matrix.
Can 1215 Carburized be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Not recommended: high sulfur and phosphorus promote hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable, use low-hydrogen filler, preheat and accept reduced joint properties.
What surface finishes work on 1215 Carburized?
Takes zinc/nickel plating, black oxide and phosphate well after good cleaning; mirror polishing is limited by inclusion pull-out, and bare parts need oil or plating to prevent rust.
Can 1215 Carburized be formed, bent or molded?
Poor cold formability — avoid tight bends, heading or severe upsetting; inclusion stringers cause transverse splitting, so form only with generous radii or in the annealed condition.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1215 Carburized?
1215 Carburized 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 1215-HR and 1215-CD?
HR is the default condition — cheapest form, for large sections or when material will be machined all over and tolerances come from cutting. CD: default stock condition for screw-machine bar: best size tolerance, straightness and chip control. Yield strength is 250 MPa in HR versus 415 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1215 Carburized?
Yes — 1215 Carburized 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)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- EN 10087 — Free-cutting steels (9SMn28 1.0715 / 9SMnPb28 1.0718 / 9SMnPb36 1.0736) — CEN (1998)
- GB/T 8731 — (Y12Pb ) — 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 / SMM (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.