Steel 1522
AISI/SAE 1522
1522 is a non-resulfurized carbon structural steel from the high-manganese 15xx series, with about 0.18–0.24 % C and 1.10–1.40 % Mn — more manganese than a 10xx steel of the same carbon, which improves hardenability, strength and toughness after welding.
Values for the HR condition
1522 tempers and conditions
1522 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
full/subcritical anneal (~870 °C, furnace cool) | Softest condition — pick for deep cold forming, heavy machining passes or stress relief before hardening. | 275 | 460 | 27 | 131 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Default stock form for structural parts, weldments and blanks that will be machined or later heat treated. | 305 | 500 | 20 | 143 HB | — |
~900–925 °C, air cool | Uniform fine grain and better toughness/consistency than as-rolled; standard pre-treatment for weldments and forgings. | 345 | 540 | 22 | 156 HB | — |
Cold rolled | Choose for tight thickness tolerance, smooth surface and higher as-supplied strength in sheet/strip; ductility is reduced. | 460 | 550 | 15 | 163 HB | 10 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Use where higher yield and toughness are needed in moderate sections (shafts, links, tube fittings); hardenability limits full through-hardening above ~25 mm. | 480 | 640 | 20 | 12 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Cold drawn round/hex bar for screw-machine and shaft work needing straightness, size tolerance and higher yield. | 480 | 565 | 14 | 167 HB | 10 % IACS |
case hardened (925 °C carburize, quench, temper 175 °C) | Chosen for gears, pins and fasteners needing a hard wear surface (58–62 HRC case) over a tough ~300 HB core. | 650 | 900 | 12 | 60 HRC | 9 % IACS |
What is 1522?
1522 is a non-resulfurized carbon structural steel from the high-manganese 15xx series, with about 0.18–0.24 % C and 1.10–1.40 % Mn — more manganese than a 10xx steel of the same carbon, which improves hardenability, strength and toughness after welding. It is supplied hot-rolled, cold-rolled, cold-drawn, annealed, normalized, Q&T or carburized, with the default condition at 305 MPa yield, 500 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation and 143 HB. Typical uses are welded tube, machined parts, carburized gears and fasteners, connecting rods and farm-machinery structures. Corrosion resistance is very poor, and the carbon equivalent calls for preheat on thick welded sections. 1522 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F). 1522 has a yield strength of 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 84% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is 1522 used for?
- Welded tube
- Forged drive shafts
- Industrial gears
- Connecting rods
- Cold-headed fasteners
- Agricultural machinery structural parts
- Machined shafts and pins
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 76% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 305 MPa (44.2 ksi), worse than 84% of steel grades
1522 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1522-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1522 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F).
Mechanical14
1522 has a yield strength of 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 84% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1522 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1522 conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1522 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
1522's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability good (60/100).
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. 1522 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1522
Is 1522 easy to machine?
Machines like a medium-carbon steel at ~65 % of 1212; normalized or cold-drawn stock cuts cleanest, use rigid setups and good chip control since it is non-resulfurized and can be gummy when annealed.
Can 1522 be welded?
Readily welded by SMAW/GMAW with E70-class filler; carbon equivalent ~0.42–0.48, so preheat 100–150 °C for sections over ~25 mm and consider post-weld normalizing on critical parts.
Can 1522 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold headability and bendability in annealed/hot-rolled condition (bend radius ≈1–2 t); hot forge 1100–1230 °C, finish above 850 °C then normalize.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 1522. Every 1522 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better58 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better60 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better75 / 100 |
1522 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CSAE J403 / ASTM A29 | 0.18 – 0.24 | 0.21 |
| Mnhigh-Mn 15xx series | 1.1 – 1.4 | 1.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Smax; 1522H/killed grades often lower | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Siwhen killed steel specified | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1522?
No anodizing — protect with zinc or zinc-nickel plating, phosphate + oil, black oxide or paint; carburized parts should be plated only with low-hydrogen processes plus bake.
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).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
How much does 1522 cost?
1522 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
1522 — frequently asked
What is 1522 used for?
1522 is typically used for welded tube, forged drive shafts, industrial gears, connecting rods, cold-headed fasteners and agricultural machinery structural parts. In short: manganese-modified carbon bar.
What is the yield strength of 1522?
1522 has a typical yield strength of 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 84% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1522 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like a medium-carbon steel at ~65 % of 1212; normalized or cold-drawn stock cuts cleanest, use rigid setups and good chip control since it is non-resulfurized and can be gummy when annealed.
Can 1522 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Readily welded by SMAW/GMAW with E70-class filler; carbon equivalent ~0.42–0.48, so preheat 100–150 °C for sections over ~25 mm and consider post-weld normalizing on critical parts.
What surface finishes work on 1522?
No anodizing — protect with zinc or zinc-nickel plating, phosphate + oil, black oxide or paint; carburized parts should be plated only with low-hydrogen processes plus bake.
Can 1522 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold headability and bendability in annealed/hot-rolled condition (bend radius ≈1–2 t); hot forge 1100–1230 °C, finish above 850 °C then normalize.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1522?
1522 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 1522-HR and 1522-CD?
HR is the default condition — default stock form for structural parts, weldments and blanks that will be machined or later heat treated. CD: cold drawn round/hex bar for screw-machine and shaft work needing straightness, size tolerance and higher yield. Yield strength is 305 MPa in HR versus 480 MPa in CD.
How much does 1522 cost?
1522 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1522?
Yes — 1522 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- SAE J1397 — Estimated Mechanical Properties and Machinability of Hot-Wrought and Cold-Drawn Steel Bars — SAE International (2009)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating — ASM International (1991)
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.