Steel 1215 · supply condition
Steel 1215-CD
Properties of the CD condition, compared with the other 1215 tempers.
Default stock condition for screw-machine bar: best size tolerance, straightness and chip control.
What is 1215-CD?
1215-CD is 1215 supplied in the CD condition — default stock condition for screw-machine bar: best size tolerance, straightness and chip control. 1215-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). 1215-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 — 92/100, better than 100% 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 — 20/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
1215-CD properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1215-CD — 11 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-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).
Mechanical12
1215-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
1215-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 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1215-CD 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-CD 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-CD's machinability is excellent (92/100, better than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); 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 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-CD
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-CD — frequently asked
What is 1215-CD used for?
1215-CD is typically used for fasteners, bushings and hose fittings. In short: easiest machining steel.
What is the yield strength of 1215-CD?
1215-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 1215-CD easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (92/100, better than 100% 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-CD be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). 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-CD?
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-CD 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-CD?
1215-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 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-CD?
Yes — 1215-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)
- 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.