Steel 15-CD (Cold drawn)
Supply condition
Choose for bright straight bar with tight tolerance, higher yield and better chip control on automatic lathes.
Values for the CD condition
Other 15 tempers and conditions
15 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 15.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HRDefault Hot rolled | Cheapest, most-stocked condition for welded structures and parts that will be carburized or machined afterwards. | 245 | 400 | 30 | 111 HB | — |
Cold rolled | Thin sheet and strip for stamped brackets, washers and deep-drawn cups needing a clean bright surface. | 260 | 380 | 30 | 115 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Normalized | Standard GB/T 699 test condition; use for uniform fine grain, best toughness and predictable machining before carburizing. | 265 | 425 | 34 | 121 HB | — |
Solution annealed | Softest condition — pick it for maximum ductility in deep drawing or heavy cold forming. | 284 | 386 | 37 | 111 HB | — |
CDThis page Cold drawn | Choose for bright straight bar with tight tolerance, higher yield and better chip control on automatic lathes. | 350 | 420 | 18 | 126 HB | — |
Carburized 900–930 °C, quenched + 180 °C temper | The main reason to use grade 15: hard wear-resistant case (58–62 HRC) over a tough, soft, unhardened core. | 350 | 500 | 15 | 60 HRC | — |
Water quenched (~900 °C) and tempered ~200 °C | Thin sections only — gives a modest strength bump when carburizing is not wanted; hardenability is very low. | 400 | 550 | 20 | 10 HRC | 10.2 % IACS |
What is 15-CD?
15-CD is 15 supplied in the CD condition — choose for bright straight bar with tight tolerance, higher yield and better chip control on automatic lathes. 15-CD has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 15-CD has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,465°C (2,669 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CD is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 96/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
15-CD properties
Typical room-temperature values for 15-CD; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 15 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
15-CD has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,465°C (2,669 °F).
Mechanical16
15-CD has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
15-CD is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
15-CD conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 15-CD takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
15-CD's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability excellent (96/100); formability good (65/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 15-CD
Is 15 easy to machine?
Gummy and prone to built-up edge — run sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant; normalizing or cold drawing before machining greatly improves surface finish.
Can 15 be welded?
Excellent — CE ≈ 0.25, weldable by SMAW/GMAW/TIG/spot with E43xx (E6013/E7018) filler, no preheat or PWHT required in normal thicknesses.
Can 15 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability: deep drawing, bending to tight radii (≈1t) and cold heading are all routine; hot forming at 850–1150 °C.
What surface finishes work on 15?
No natural corrosion protection — specify zinc/nickel plating, hot-dip galvanizing, phosphating, black oxide or paint; polishes only to a modest finish because of the soft ferrite matrix.
15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CGB/T 699-2015 grade 15 | 0.12 – 0.19 | 0.15 |
| Si | 0.17 – 0.37 | 0.27 |
| Mn | 0.35 – 0.65 | 0.5 |
| P≤0.030 for high-grade (A) quality | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S≤0.030 for high-grade (A) quality | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance | — |
15-CD — frequently asked
What is 15-CD used for?
15-CD is typically used for carburized shafts, bolts, pins and light structural components. In short: carburizing-grade low-carbon steel; SAE 1015 equivalent; excellent cold-heading formability.
What is the yield strength of 15-CD?
15-CD has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 15-CD easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Gummy and prone to built-up edge — run sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant; normalizing or cold drawing before machining greatly improves surface finish.
Can 15-CD be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (96/100). Excellent — CE ≈ 0.25, weldable by SMAW/GMAW/TIG/spot with E43xx (E6013/E7018) filler, no preheat or PWHT required in normal thicknesses.
What surface finishes work on 15-CD?
No natural corrosion protection — specify zinc/nickel plating, hot-dip galvanizing, phosphating, black oxide or paint; polishes only to a modest finish because of the soft ferrite matrix.
Can 15-CD be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability: deep drawing, bending to tight radii (≈1t) and cold heading are all routine; hot forming at 850–1150 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of 15-CD?
15-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 15-HR and 15-WQT?
HR is the default condition — cheapest, most-stocked condition for welded structures and parts that will be carburized or machined afterwards. WQT: thin sections only — gives a modest strength bump when carburizing is not wanted; hardenability is very low. Yield strength is 245 MPa in HR versus 400 MPa in WQT.
Sources
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
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.