Steel 1536-A (Solution annealed)
Temper
AISI/SAE 1536 · UNS G15360
Softest, most machinable and most formable condition; use before heavy cold working or deep machining.
Values for the A condition
Other 1536 tempers and conditions
1536 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at 1536.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AThis page Solution annealed | Softest, most machinable and most formable condition; use before heavy cold working or deep machining. | 295 | 540 | 23 | 150 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest form for weldments, machined-all-over parts and stock to be heat treated afterwards. | 330 | 600 | 16 | 170 HB | — |
Normalized | Refines the coarse as-forged/as-rolled grain and evens out properties before quench-and-temper or final machining. | 380 | 620 | 19 | 180 HB | — |
Cold Drawn, Stress Relieved | Choose when cold-drawn bar must be machined asymmetrically or straightened without distortion. | 485 | 620 | 15 | 10 HRC | 9 % IACS |
CDDefault Cold drawn | Standard stock condition: tighter tolerance, better surface and higher yield strength for shafts, pins and screw-machine work. | 550 | 655 | 12 | 187 HB | — |
Induction hardened | Pick for journals, splines and cam surfaces needing a hard wear case over a tough medium-carbon core. | 660 | 860 | 14 | 53 HRC | — |
oil quenched from 845 °C, tempered ≈540 °C | Pick the 845 °C oil quench with a ≈540 °C temper for shafts, axles and fasteners that need 700 MPa yield while keeping 17 % elongation for a tough, general-purpose condition. | 700 | 860 | 17 | 27 HRC | — |
oil quenched, tempered ≈425 °C | Use the oil quench with a ≈425 °C temper when highly loaded pins, links and bolts need 970 MPa yield at 32–38 HRC, accepting lower toughness, machinability and weldability. | 970 | 1,130 | 12 | 35 HRC | — |
What is 1536-A?
1536-A is 1536 in the A temper — softest, most machinable and most formable condition; use before heavy cold working or deep machining. 1536-A has a yield strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1536-A 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). CD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; A is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 295 MPa (42.8 ksi), worse than 87% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 82% of steel grades
1536-A properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1536-A; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 1536 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1536-A 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).
Mechanical16
1536-A has a yield strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1536-A 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
1536-A conducts electricity at 9 % IACS, better than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1536-A takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
1536-A's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability good (60/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 1536-A
Is 1536 easy to machine?
Machines at roughly 65 % of AISI 1212; cold-drawn bar gives the best chip control, while annealed stock tends to be gummy — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide and generous coolant.
Can 1536 be welded?
CE ≈ 0.55–0.62, so preheat 150–250 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relief or temper to avoid HAZ martensite cracking.
Can 1536 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1230 °C then normalize; cold bending is limited in the cold-drawn state (bend radii ≥ 2–3 t) — anneal first for severe forming.
What surface finishes work on 1536?
No anodizing; protect with zinc/zinc-nickel plating, phosphate-and-oil, black oxide or paint, and bake plated Q&T parts above 30 HRC to prevent hydrogen embrittlement.
1536 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 | 0.3 – 0.37 | 0.34 |
| Mnhigh-Mn grade — main hardenability contributor | 1.2 – 1.5 | 1.35 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Smax; not intentionally resulfurized | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Sitypical for killed bar; not specified in J403 for all products | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1536-A — frequently asked
What is 1536-A used for?
1536-A is typically used for shafts, bolts and studs, machine parts requiring induction hardening and forgings. In short: high-Mn free-machining steel; 65% of 1212 machinability; induction-hardenable shaft steel.
What is the yield strength of 1536-A?
1536-A has a typical yield strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 87% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 1536-A easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines at roughly 65 % of AISI 1212; cold-drawn bar gives the best chip control, while annealed stock tends to be gummy — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide and generous coolant.
Can 1536-A be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). CE ≈ 0.55–0.62, so preheat 150–250 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relief or temper to avoid HAZ martensite cracking.
What surface finishes work on 1536-A?
No anodizing; protect with zinc/zinc-nickel plating, phosphate-and-oil, black oxide or paint, and bake plated Q&T parts above 30 HRC to prevent hydrogen embrittlement.
Can 1536-A be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1230 °C then normalize; cold bending is limited in the cold-drawn state (bend radii ≥ 2–3 t) — anneal first for severe forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1536-A?
1536-A 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 1536-CD and 1536-A?
CD is the default condition — standard stock condition: tighter tolerance, better surface and higher yield strength for shafts, pins and screw-machine work. A: softest, most machinable and most formable condition; use before heavy cold working or deep machining. Yield strength is 550 MPa in CD versus 295 MPa in A.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- SAE J404 / ASTM A29 — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements — ASTM/SAE (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Machining Data Handbook / Machinery's Handbook machinability ratings — ASM International (2016)
- GB/T 699 — (35Mn/40Mn comparable grades) — SAC (2015)
- Mysteel / SMM (2025)
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.