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Steel 1527-N (Normalized)

Heat-treated state

AISI/SAE 1527 · UNS G15270

Chosen after forging or welding to refine grain and give uniform strength/toughness through the section.

Budget cost $

Values for the N 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 datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Solution annealed
Use before severe cold forming, deep drawing or heavy machining where maximum ductility and low residual stress matter.26547028135 HB—
HRDefault
Hot rolled
Cheapest, most-stocked condition for welded structures and parts that will be machined all over or later heat treated.30555020160 HB—
NThis page
Normalized
Chosen after forging or welding to refine grain and give uniform strength/toughness through the section.34557023170 HB—
Cold Drawn + Stress Relieved
Specify when cold-drawn strength is wanted but machining-induced distortion or straightness drift must be minimised.48059016175 HB10 % 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.53062013183 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.6007601820 HRC—

What is 1527-N?

1527-N is 1527 heat treated to N — chosen after forging or welding to refine grain and give uniform strength/toughness through the section. 1527-N has a yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 75% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1527-N 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; N is available on request or by drawing note.

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 — 345 MPa (50 ksi), worse than 75% of steel grades

1527-N properties

Typical room-temperature values for 1527-N; 11 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-N 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,500°C2,732 °F

Mechanical15

1527-N has a yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 75% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus200 GPa29 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)570 MPa82.7 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)345 MPa50 ksi
Elongation at Break23%
Reduction in Area50%
Compressive Strength305 MPa44.2 ksi
Shear Strength380 MPa55.1 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)260 MPa37.7 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)60 J44.3 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell170 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B86 HRB
Hardness, Vickers168 HV

Thermal6

1527-N 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).

Thermal Conductivity51 W/m·K29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity486 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)400°C752 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

1527-N conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity10 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.61 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended10/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in moist air and water; attacked by dilute acids and chlorides; acceptable in dry, oiled, alkaline or painted/plated service only.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 1527-N takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability8

1527-N's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (65/100).

MachinabilityFair50/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)58%
WeldabilityVery good70/100
Formability (cold)Good65/100
CastabilityFair40/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityVery good70/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use zinc plating, phosphate + oil, black oxide or paint

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with 1527-N

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CSAE J403 heat analysis0.22 – 0.290.26
Mnhigh-Mn 15xx series1.2 – 1.51.35
P≤ 0.030.02
S≤ 0.050.03
Sitypical for killed bar/plate; not specified for all product forms0.15 – 0.350.25
Febalance—

1527-N — frequently asked

What is 1527-N used for?

1527-N 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-N?

1527-N has a typical yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — weaker than 75% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is 1527-N easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% 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-N 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-N?

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-N 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-N?

1527-N 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

  1. SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
  2. ASTM A29/A29M — General Requirements for Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
  3. ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. Metals Handbook Desk Edition — Carbon Steel Machinability Ratings — ASM International (1998)
  6. 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.