Steel 1522 · supply condition · default condition
Steel 1522-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other 1522 tempers.
Default stock form for structural parts, weldments and blanks that will be machined or later heat treated.
What is 1522-HR?
1522-HR is 1522 supplied in the HR condition — default stock form for structural parts, weldments and blanks that will be machined or later heat treated. 1522-HR 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). 1522-HR 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).
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 82% 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-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1522-HR — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1522 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1522-HR 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-HR 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-HR 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-HR conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1522-HR 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-HR'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.
Other 1522 tempers and conditions
1522 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1522 overview.
- HRDefaultDefault stock form for structural parts, weldments and blanks that will be machined or later heat treated.305 MPa yield · 143 HB
- Q&TUse where higher yield and toughness are needed in moderate sections (shafts, links, tube fittings); hardenability limits full through-hardening above ~25 mm.480 MPa yield · 12 HRC
- CDCold drawn round/hex bar for screw-machine and shaft work needing straightness, size tolerance and higher yield.480 MPa yield · 167 HB
- CRChoose for tight thickness tolerance, smooth surface and higher as-supplied strength in sheet/strip; ductility is reduced.460 MPa yield · 163 HB
- NormalizedUniform fine grain and better toughness/consistency than as-rolled; standard pre-treatment for weldments and forgings.345 MPa yield · 156 HB
- AnnealedSoftest condition — pick for deep cold forming, heavy machining passes or stress relief before hardening.275 MPa yield · 131 HB
Working with 1522-HR
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.
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.
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 | — |
1522-HR — frequently asked
What is 1522-HR used for?
1522-HR 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-HR?
1522-HR 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-HR 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-HR 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-HR?
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-HR 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-HR?
1522-HR 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1522-HR?
Yes — 1522-HR is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.