Steel 1541
AISI/SAE 1541 · UNS G15410
1541 (UNS G15410, formerly 1041) is a medium-carbon, high-manganese carbon steel in the free-machining/resulfurized family, where the raised manganese improves both chip formation and hardenability over plain 1040-series bar.
Values for the HR condition
1541 tempers and conditions
1541 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
full/spheroidize anneal | Softest condition — choose for heavy cold forming, deep machining or before rehardening. | 350 | 600 | 25 | 170 HB | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Default stock condition for forging blanks, shafts and parts that will be heat treated or induction hardened later. | 415 | 700 | 15 | 207 HB | — |
~870 °C, air cooled | Uniform fine-pearlitic structure for forgings — use to refine grain and stabilize properties before machining or induction hardening. | 450 | 745 | 18 | 217 HB | — |
Cold rolled | Pick when close dimensional tolerance and a smooth surface are needed on strip or small sections; strength is up, ductility down. | 660 | 790 | 10 | 235 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Cold-drawn round/hex bar for high-strength studs, bolts and machined shafts used without further heat treatment. | 700 | 815 | 10 | 241 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Highest through-strength with useful toughness — the standard condition for axles, shafts, tie rods and high-strength fasteners. | 840 | 1,000 | 15 | 31 HRC | — |
Induction hardened | Choose for wear surfaces — journals, spline flanks, track pins — where a 50–58 HRC case over a tough core is wanted; 1541's Mn content gives good hardenability without alloying. | 840 | 1,000 | 12 | 55 HRC | 8.5 % IACS |
What is 1541?
1541 (UNS G15410, formerly 1041) is a medium-carbon, high-manganese carbon steel in the free-machining/resulfurized family, where the raised manganese improves both chip formation and hardenability over plain 1040-series bar. It is specified for machined-then-hardened shafts, axles, gears and bolts, and is stocked as hot-rolled, cold-rolled, cold-drawn, annealed, normalized, Q&T and induction-hardened bar, reaching 415 MPa yield, 700 MPa tensile, 15% elongation and 207 HB in the default condition. Carbon equivalent of 0.65–0.75 means welding requires preheat and tempering, corrosion resistance is nil, and cold formability is limited; 1045 is the nearest alternative. 1541 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). 1541 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is 1541 used for?
- Drive shafts
- Industrial axles
- Gears
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades
1541 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1541-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
1541 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical13
1541 has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1541 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1541 conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1541 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
1541's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability fair (40/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 1541 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 1541
Is 1541 easy to machine?
Machines like a tough medium-carbon steel at ~60 % of 1212; use rigid setups, carbide inserts, 120–200 m/min turning speed, and normalize or spheroidize-anneal first for best surface finish.
Can 1541 be welded?
Carbon equivalent ~0.65–0.75 — preheat 200–300 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, control interpass temperature and temper after welding; avoid welding in the Q&T or induction-hardened condition.
Can 1541 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forging (1100–1200 °C) and hot bending are straightforward; cold bending/heading needs the annealed condition and generous bend radii because of the high carbon plus manganese.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 1541. Every 1541 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better35 / 100 |
1541 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 1541; 1541H grade range 0.35–0.45 | 0.36 – 0.44 | 0.4 |
| Mnhigh-Mn carbon steel, raises hardenability | 1.35 – 1.65 | 1.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Smax; resulfurized 1541 variants run higher | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Sitypical for killed hot-rolled bar (not always specified) | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 1541?
No anodizing — protect with zinc or manganese phosphate, black oxide, zinc/zinc-nickel plating, hot-dip galvanizing (watch hydrogen embrittlement above ~1000 MPa) or paint over blasted surfaces.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel 1541 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- G15410
How much does 1541 cost?
1541 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
1541 — frequently asked
What is 1541 used for?
1541 is typically used for drive shafts, industrial axles and gears. In short: workhorse machining bar.
What is the yield strength of 1541?
1541 has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1541 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like a tough medium-carbon steel at ~60 % of 1212; use rigid setups, carbide inserts, 120–200 m/min turning speed, and normalize or spheroidize-anneal first for best surface finish.
Can 1541 be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Carbon equivalent ~0.65–0.75 — preheat 200–300 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, control interpass temperature and temper after welding; avoid welding in the Q&T or induction-hardened condition.
What surface finishes work on 1541?
No anodizing — protect with zinc or manganese phosphate, black oxide, zinc/zinc-nickel plating, hot-dip galvanizing (watch hydrogen embrittlement above ~1000 MPa) or paint over blasted surfaces.
Can 1541 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forging (1100–1200 °C) and hot bending are straightforward; cold bending/heading needs the annealed condition and generous bend radii because of the high carbon plus manganese.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1541?
1541 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 1541-HR and 1541-IH?
HR is the default condition — default stock condition for forging blanks, shafts and parts that will be heat treated or induction hardened later. IH: choose for wear surfaces — journals, spline flanks, track pins — where a 50–58 HRC case over a tough core is wanted; 1541's Mn content gives good hardenability without alloying. Yield strength is 415 MPa in HR versus 840 MPa in IH.
How much does 1541 cost?
1541 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1541?
Yes — 1541 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- SAE J1397 — Estimated Mechanical Properties and Machinability of Steel Bars — SAE International (2009)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (induction hardening of carbon steels) — ASM International (1991)
- GB/T 699 / GB/T 3077 (comparable grades 40Mn, 40Mn2) — SAC (2015)
- Mysteel / SMM hot-rolled special bar steel price series (2025)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.