Steel 1541 · supply condition · default condition
Steel 1541-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other 1541 tempers.
Default stock condition for forging blanks, shafts and parts that will be heat treated or induction hardened later.
What is 1541-HR?
1541-HR is 1541 supplied in the HR condition — default stock condition for forging blanks, shafts and parts that will be heat treated or induction hardened later. 1541-HR has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1541-HR 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).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
1541-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1541-HR — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1541 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1541-HR 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-HR has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1541-HR 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-HR conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 74% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1541-HR 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-HR'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.
Other 1541 tempers and conditions
1541 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1541 overview.
- HRDefaultDefault stock condition for forging blanks, shafts and parts that will be heat treated or induction hardened later.415 MPa yield · 207 HB
- Q&THighest through-strength with useful toughness — the standard condition for axles, shafts, tie rods and high-strength fasteners.840 MPa yield · 31 HRC
- IHChoose 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 MPa yield · 55 HRC
- CDCold-drawn round/hex bar for high-strength studs, bolts and machined shafts used without further heat treatment.700 MPa yield · 241 HB
- CRPick when close dimensional tolerance and a smooth surface are needed on strip or small sections; strength is up, ductility down.660 MPa yield · 235 HB
- NormalizedUniform fine-pearlitic structure for forgings — use to refine grain and stabilize properties before machining or induction hardening.450 MPa yield · 217 HB
- AnnealedSoftest condition — choose for heavy cold forming, deep machining or before rehardening.350 MPa yield · 170 HB
Working with 1541-HR
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.
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.
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 | — |
1541-HR — frequently asked
What is 1541-HR used for?
1541-HR is typically used for drive shafts, industrial axles and gears. In short: workhorse machining bar.
What is the yield strength of 1541-HR?
1541-HR has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — weaker than 55% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1541-HR 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-HR 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-HR?
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-HR 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-HR?
1541-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 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1541-HR?
Yes — 1541-HR is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.