Steel 1527-HR (Hot rolled)
Supply condition · default condition
AISI/SAE 1527 · UNS G15270
Cheapest, most-stocked condition for welded structures and parts that will be machined all over or later heat treated.
Values for the HR condition
Other 1527 tempers and conditions
1527 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at 1527.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Use before severe cold forming, deep drawing or heavy machining where maximum ductility and low residual stress matter. | 265 | 470 | 28 | 135 HB | — |
HRDefaultThis page Hot rolled | Cheapest, most-stocked condition for welded structures and parts that will be machined all over or later heat treated. | 305 | 550 | 20 | 160 HB | — |
Normalized | Chosen after forging or welding to refine grain and give uniform strength/toughness through the section. | 345 | 570 | 23 | 170 HB | — |
Cold Drawn + Stress Relieved | Specify when cold-drawn strength is wanted but machining-induced distortion or straightness drift must be minimised. | 480 | 590 | 16 | 175 HB | 10 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick for close size tolerance, smooth surface and ~70% higher yield strength without heat treatment; residual stress can cause distortion after unbalanced machining. | 530 | 620 | 13 | 183 HB | — |
Q&T ~200–240 HB | Use in small sections (typically <25 mm) where higher yield and wear resistance are needed; low carbon caps attainable hardness near 25 HRC. | 600 | 760 | 18 | 20 HRC | — |
What is 1527-HR?
1527-HR is 1527 supplied in the HR condition — cheapest, most-stocked condition for welded structures and parts that will be machined all over or later heat treated. 1527-HR has a yield strength of 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 84% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1527-HR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 305 MPa (44.2 ksi), worse than 84% of steel grades
1527-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1527-HR; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1527 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1527-HR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical15
1527-HR has a yield strength of 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 84% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1527-HR 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 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1527-HR 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 1527-HR takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
1527-HR's machinability is fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (65/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1527-HR
Is 1527 easy to machine?
Machines like a medium-carbon Mn steel — gummy in the annealed state, best in cold drawn or normalized condition with sharp carbide tooling, positive rake and generous coolant; no lead/high-S free-cutting benefit.
Can 1527 be welded?
Readily arc welded (SMAW/GMAW/FCAW) with E70xx/ER70S-x filler; carbon equivalent ~0.5 so preheat 100–150 °C for sections over ~25 mm and consider post-weld stress relief.
Can 1527 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and upsetting in the annealed/hot-rolled state; cold-drawn stock has limited remaining ductility, so use generous bend radii or re-anneal before severe forming.
What surface finishes work on 1527?
No natural corrosion resistance — protect with zinc or zinc-nickel plating, phosphate + oil, black oxide, e-coat or paint; polishes to a modest luster only.
1527 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 heat analysis | 0.22 – 0.29 | 0.26 |
| Mnhigh-Mn 15xx series | 1.2 – 1.5 | 1.35 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Sitypical for killed bar/plate; not specified for all product forms | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1527-HR — frequently asked
What is 1527-HR used for?
1527-HR is typically used for welded structural parts, cold-formed brackets, shafts and fasteners. In short: weldable higher-strength carbon steel; good cold forming, slow machining; stronger substitute for 1020.
What is the yield strength of 1527-HR?
1527-HR has a typical yield strength of 305 MPa (44.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — weaker than 84% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1527-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades). Machines like a medium-carbon Mn steel — gummy in the annealed state, best in cold drawn or normalized condition with sharp carbide tooling, positive rake and generous coolant; no lead/high-S free-cutting benefit.
Can 1527-HR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily arc welded (SMAW/GMAW/FCAW) with E70xx/ER70S-x filler; carbon equivalent ~0.5 so preheat 100–150 °C for sections over ~25 mm and consider post-weld stress relief.
What surface finishes work on 1527-HR?
No natural corrosion resistance — protect with zinc or zinc-nickel plating, phosphate + oil, black oxide, e-coat or paint; polishes to a modest luster only.
Can 1527-HR be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and upsetting in the annealed/hot-rolled state; cold-drawn stock has limited remaining ductility, so use generous bend radii or re-anneal before severe forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1527-HR?
1527-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 1527-HR and 1527-CD?
HR is the default condition — cheapest, most-stocked condition for welded structures and parts that will be machined all over or later heat treated. CD: pick for close size tolerance, smooth surface and ~70% higher yield strength without heat treatment; residual stress can cause distortion after unbalanced machining. Yield strength is 305 MPa in HR versus 530 MPa in CD.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A29/A29M — General Requirements for Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Metals Handbook Desk Edition — Carbon Steel Machinability Ratings — ASM International (1998)
- MatWeb typical property records for SAE 1526/1527 carbon steel — MatWeb LLC (2024)
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.