Steel CQ15
also CHQ
CQ15 is an aluminium-killed low-carbon steel of about 0.15 % C supplied in commercial and cold-heading quality (CHQ), with composition and properties close to SAE 1015 and ASTM A1008/A1011 CS sheet and coil.
Values for the HR condition
CQ15 tempers and conditions
CQ15 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HRDefault Hot rolled | Cheapest as-supplied condition for structural stampings, weldments and as feedstock for cold drawing. | 190 | 340 | 28 | 101 HB | — |
spheroidize/subcritical annealed CHQ wire and bar | Softest condition, chosen for severe multi-station cold heading and thread rolling of fasteners. | 200 | 330 | 40 | 92 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Normalized | Used to homogenise grain size and restore toughness after hot forging or heavy welding. | 200 | 345 | 30 | 100 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Cold rolled | Pick for clean surface, tight thickness tolerance and deep-drawn or bent stampings. | 210 | 320 | 38 | 95 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Cold-work strengthened condition for bright bar, shafts and screws formed with modest deformation. | 360 | 440 | 14 | 126 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
Carburized & quenched (case hardened, ~58-62 HRC case) | Choose when a wear-resistant hard case over a tough low-carbon core is needed (pins, small gears, self-drilling screws). | 480 | 700 | 12 | 60 HRC | 10.5 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways CQ15 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Galvanized | Hot-dip zinc coated (GI) commercial quality sheet | Coating |
What is CQ15?
CQ15 is an aluminium-killed low-carbon steel of about 0.15 % C supplied in commercial and cold-heading quality (CHQ), with composition and properties close to SAE 1015 and ASTM A1008/A1011 CS sheet and coil. Typical values are 190 MPa yield, 340 MPa tensile, 28 % elongation and 101 HB (56 HRB), and it is specified for cold formability, cold heading and weldability rather than strength; common forms are wire, hot-rolled and cold-rolled sheet, cold-drawn bar and galvanized coil. It cannot be hardened by quenching — only by carburizing — and has no corrosion resistance, so bare parts must be zinc-coated or painted. For more strength at similar formability, step up to 1020 or an HSLA sheet grade. CQ15 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,470°C (2,678 °F). CQ15 has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is CQ15 used for?
- Fasteners
- Bolts
- Studs
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 82/100, better than 94% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 190 MPa (27.6 ksi), worse than 99% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
CQ15 properties
Typical room-temperature values for CQ15-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
CQ15 has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,470°C (2,678 °F).
Mechanical13
CQ15 has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
CQ15 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
CQ15 conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CQ15 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
CQ15's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability very good (82/100).
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. CQ15 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with CQ15
Is CQ15 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with coolant to avoid built-up edge; cold-drawn condition machines noticeably better than annealed.
Can CQ15 be welded?
Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and MIG/spot processes with no preheat or PWHT below ~25 mm; remove zinc coating locally and ventilate when welding galvanized material.
Can CQ15 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — suited to deep drawing, multi-station cold heading and thread rolling; interstage spheroidize annealing recommended for reductions above ~70 %.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to CQ15. Every CQ15 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 | Excellent82 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent95 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
CQ15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C0.15 % nominal; CHQ grades often held to a narrower ±0.02 range | 0.12 – 0.18 | 0.15 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Sikept low for cold heading; Si-killed variants up to 0.30 | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Slow S preferred for CHQ to avoid heading cracks | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Alaluminium-killed, fine grain | 0.02 – 0.07 | 0.04 |
| Nlow free N to avoid ageing | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on CQ15?
Not anodizable; protect with hot-dip or electro-galvanizing, zinc-nickel, phosphate + paint or e-coat; rusts within days if stored bare and unoiled.
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 CQ15 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- CHQ
How much does CQ15 cost?
CQ15 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 100% 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.
CQ15 — frequently asked
What is CQ15 used for?
CQ15 is typically used for fasteners, bolts and studs. In short: cold-heading low-carbon wire.
What is the yield strength of CQ15?
CQ15 has a typical yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is CQ15 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with coolant to avoid built-up edge; cold-drawn condition machines noticeably better than annealed.
Can CQ15 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and MIG/spot processes with no preheat or PWHT below ~25 mm; remove zinc coating locally and ventilate when welding galvanized material.
What surface finishes work on CQ15?
Not anodizable; protect with hot-dip or electro-galvanizing, zinc-nickel, phosphate + paint or e-coat; rusts within days if stored bare and unoiled.
Can CQ15 be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold formability — suited to deep drawing, multi-station cold heading and thread rolling; interstage spheroidize annealing recommended for reductions above ~70 %.
What is the maximum service temperature of CQ15?
CQ15 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 CQ15-HR and CQ15-CD?
HR is the default condition — cheapest as-supplied condition for structural stampings, weldments and as feedstock for cold drawing. CD: cold-work strengthened condition for bright bar, shafts and screws formed with modest deformation. Yield strength is 190 MPa in HR versus 360 MPa in CD.
How much does CQ15 cost?
CQ15 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 100% 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 CQ15?
Yes — CQ15 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
- ASTM A1011/A1008 (CS Type B hot- and cold-rolled sheet) — ASTM (2018)
- ASTM A510 / SAE J403 (grade 1015 wire rod and bar) — ASTM/SAE (2018)
- GB/T 6478 / GB/T 700 Q195-Q215 — SAC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Mysteel / 1688 — Mysteel (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.