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Steel 1536 CD-SR

Heat-treated state

AISI/SAE 1536 · UNS G15360

CD-SR = cold Drawn, Stress Relieved

Choose when cold-drawn bar must be machined asymmetrically or straightened without distortion.

Budget cost $

Values for the CD-SR 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 datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Solution annealed
Softest, most machinable and most formable condition; use before heavy cold working or deep machining.29554023150 HB—
Hot rolled
Cheapest form for weldments, machined-all-over parts and stock to be heat treated afterwards.33060016170 HB—
Normalized
Refines the coarse as-forged/as-rolled grain and evens out properties before quench-and-temper or final machining.38062019180 HB—
CD-SRThis page
Cold Drawn, Stress Relieved
Choose when cold-drawn bar must be machined asymmetrically or straightened without distortion.4856201510 HRC9 % IACS
CDDefault
Cold drawn
Standard stock condition: tighter tolerance, better surface and higher yield strength for shafts, pins and screw-machine work.55065512187 HB—
Induction hardened
Pick for journals, splines and cam surfaces needing a hard wear case over a tough medium-carbon core.6608601453 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.7008601727 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.9701,1301235 HRC—

What is 1536 CD-SR?

1536 CD-SR is 1536 heat treated to CD-SR — choose when cold-drawn bar must be machined asymmetrically or straightened without distortion. 1536 CD-SR has a yield strength of 485 MPa (70.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1536 CD-SR 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; CD-SR 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 fracture toughness — 58 MPa·√m (52.8 ksi·√in), worse than 80% of steel grades

1536 CD-SR properties

Typical room-temperature values for 1536 CD-SR; 23 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 CD-SR 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 Temperature1,495°C2,723 °F

Mechanical16

1536 CD-SR has a yield strength of 485 MPa (70.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)620 MPa89.9 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)485 MPa70.3 ksi
Elongation at Break15%
Reduction in Area40%
Compressive Strength485 MPa70.3 ksi
Shear Strength380 MPa55.1 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)275 MPa39.9 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)58 MPa·√m52.8 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)40 J29.5 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell179 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B89 HRB
Hardness, Vickers188 HV

Thermal6

1536 CD-SR 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).

Thermal Conductivity49 W/m·K28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity475 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion247 J/g106 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)400°C752 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

1536 CD-SR conducts electricity at 9 % IACS, better than 71% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity9 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.48 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. Adequate in dry, oiled or fully coated/plated service only; resists dry hydrocarbons, alkalis and most oils.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of 1536 CD-SR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

1536 CD-SR's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (40/100).

MachinabilityGood58/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)68%
WeldabilityFair45/100
Formability (cold)Fair40/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood55/100
PolishabilityFair50/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use phosphating, black oxide, zinc plating or paint instead

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

Working with 1536 CD-SR

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CSAE J403 heat analysis0.3 – 0.370.34
Mnhigh-Mn grade — main hardenability contributor1.2 – 1.51.35
P≤ 0.040.02
Smax; not intentionally resulfurized≤ 0.050.03
Sitypical for killed bar; not specified in J403 for all products0.15 – 0.350.25
Febalance—

1536 CD-SR — frequently asked

What is 1536 CD-SR used for?

1536 CD-SR 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 CD-SR?

1536 CD-SR has a typical yield strength of 485 MPa (70.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.

Is 1536 CD-SR 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 CD-SR be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). 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 CD-SR?

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 CD-SR 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 CD-SR?

1536 CD-SR 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

  1. SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
  2. SAE J404 / ASTM A29 — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements — ASTM/SAE (2020)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Machining Data Handbook / Machinery's Handbook machinability ratings — ASM International (2016)
  5. GB/T 699 — (35Mn/40Mn comparable grades) — SAC (2015)
  6. 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.