Steel 12L14 · supply condition
Steel 12L14-CR
Properties of the CR condition, compared with the other 12L14 tempers.
Choose for flats, strip or TGP bar where a bright, dimensionally tight surface is needed without further sizing.
What is 12L14-CR?
12L14-CR is 12L14 supplied in the CR condition — choose for flats, strip or TGP bar where a bright, dimensionally tight surface is needed without further sizing. 12L14-CR has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 12L14-CR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 96/100, 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
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 77% of steel grades
12L14-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 12L14-CR — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 12L14 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
12L14-CR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical12
12L14-CR has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
12L14-CR is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
12L14-CR 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 12L14-CR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability6
12L14-CR's machinability is excellent (96/100, better than 100% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability poor (32/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 12L14 tempers and conditions
12L14 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 12L14 overview.
- HRDefaultLowest-cost form for large sections or parts that will be fully machined; loose tolerances and scaled surface.230 MPa yield · 121 HB
- CDDefault stock condition for round/hex/square bar: best size tolerance, straightness and surface for automatic turning.415 MPa yield · 163 HB
- CRChoose for flats, strip or TGP bar where a bright, dimensionally tight surface is needed without further sizing.400 MPa yield · 150 HB
- AnnealedPick when cold-drawn stock must be softened or de-stressed to avoid distortion in long, slender or asymmetric machined parts.250 MPa yield · 111 HB
Working with 12L14-CR
Is 12L14 easy to machine?
Benchmark free-cutting steel: run high surface speeds with sharp positive-rake tooling and light feeds; the Pb/MnS produces short chips, excellent finish and long tool life — collect lead-bearing chips/mist properly.
Can 12L14 be welded?
Essentially not weldable — high S/P and Pb cause hot cracking and porosity; use mechanical fastening, brazing or press fits instead.
Can 12L14 be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability: light knurling, thread rolling and shallow bends are practical, but tight bends and hot working risk hot-shortness from lead and sulfides.
What surface finishes work on 12L14?
No corrosion resistance of its own — specify zinc, zinc-nickel or electroless nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate + oil; plating adhesion can suffer from lead smear, so degrease and activate thoroughly.
12L14 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 only | ≤ 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Mn | 0.85 – 1.15 | 1 |
| Prephosphorized for chip breaking | 0.04 – 0.09 | 0.06 |
| SMnS inclusions | 0.26 – 0.35 | 0.3 |
| Pbfree-machining lead addition | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
12L14-CR — frequently asked
What is 12L14-CR used for?
12L14-CR is typically used for machined fittings, fasteners and valve bodies. In short: super-fast machining; standard.
What is the yield strength of 12L14-CR?
12L14-CR has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 515 MPa (74.7 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 12L14-CR easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (96/100, better than 100% of steel grades). Benchmark free-cutting steel: run high surface speeds with sharp positive-rake tooling and light feeds; the Pb/MnS produces short chips, excellent finish and long tool life — collect lead-bearing chips/mist properly.
Can 12L14-CR be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Essentially not weldable — high S/P and Pb cause hot cracking and porosity; use mechanical fastening, brazing or press fits instead.
What surface finishes work on 12L14-CR?
No corrosion resistance of its own — specify zinc, zinc-nickel or electroless nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate + oil; plating adhesion can suffer from lead smear, so degrease and activate thoroughly.
Can 12L14-CR be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability: light knurling, thread rolling and shallow bends are practical, but tight bends and hot working risk hot-shortness from lead and sulfides.
What is the maximum service temperature of 12L14-CR?
12L14-CR is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 12L14-HR and 12L14-CD?
HR is the default condition — lowest-cost form for large sections or parts that will be fully machined; loose tolerances and scaled surface. CD: default stock condition for round/hex/square bar: best size tolerance, straightness and surface for automatic turning. Yield strength is 230 MPa in HR versus 415 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 12L14-CR?
Yes — 12L14-CR 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 — General Requirements for Steel Bars — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- GB/T 8731 — (Y15Pb equivalent) — SAC (2008)
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.