Steel S15CK-CD (Cold drawn)
Supply condition
JIS S15CK
Pick for close tolerance, bright surface and better chip control on turned pins and shafts.
Values for the CD condition
Other S15CK tempers and conditions
S15CK is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at S15CK.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Wire/bar for cold forging and cold heading of pins, bolts and shafts before carburizing. | 220 | 370 | 38 | 105 HB | 11 % IACS |
Solution annealed | Softest condition; choose for maximum ductility before deep drawing or heavy machining. | 235 | 390 | 36 | 111 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Standard stock condition for carburizing blanks; machine then case harden. | 255 | 420 | 32 | 121 HB | — |
Normalized | Uniform fine-grain structure before carburizing; reduces distortion and improves machined finish. | 275 | 450 | 32 | 126 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Rarely used for this low-carbon grade; only for thin sections where modest core strength gain is wanted without carburizing. | 350 | 500 | 26 | 160 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
Carburized + quenched & tempered | The functional service condition: hard wear-resistant case (0.3–1.0 mm) over a tough soft core for light-duty pins, bushings and small gears. | 390 | 560 | 25 | 60 HRC | — |
CDThis page Cold drawn | Pick for close tolerance, bright surface and better chip control on turned pins and shafts. | 440 | 520 | 15 | 149 HB | — |
What is S15CK-CD?
S15CK-CD is S15CK supplied in the CD condition — pick for close tolerance, bright surface and better chip control on turned pins and shafts. S15CK-CD has a yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 50% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). S15CK-CD has a density of 7.86 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CD is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
S15CK-CD properties
Typical room-temperature values for S15CK-CD; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S15CK reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
S15CK-CD has a density of 7.86 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical16
S15CK-CD has a yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 50% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
S15CK-CD is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S15CK-CD 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 S15CK-CD takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
S15CK-CD's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability good (60/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S15CK-CD
Is S15CK easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with coolant and chip-breaking geometry, or specify cold-drawn/normalized stock for cleaner finishes.
Can S15CK be welded?
Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes with no preheat; avoid welding after carburizing since the hard case cracks and decarburizes.
Can S15CK be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — suits cold heading, upsetting, deep drawing and bending; hot forge 1100–1250 °C, then normalize before carburizing.
What surface finishes work on S15CK?
No corrosion resistance in itself: finish with zinc or nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate + oil, or paint; carburized parts should be plated with low-hydrogen processes and baked to avoid embrittlement.
S15CK 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.13 – 0.18 | 0.16 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| Ptighter than non-K grades | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Stighter than non-K grades | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Niresidual; Ni+Cr ≤ 0.30 | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Crresidual; Ni+Cr ≤ 0.30 | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
S15CK-CD — frequently asked
What is S15CK-CD used for?
S15CK-CD is typically used for pins, light gears and bushings. In short: low-cost carburizing carbon steel; excellent weldability; light-duty case-hardened parts.
What is the yield strength of S15CK-CD?
S15CK-CD has a typical yield strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 50% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is S15CK-CD easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed with coolant and chip-breaking geometry, or specify cold-drawn/normalized stock for cleaner finishes.
Can S15CK-CD be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes with no preheat; avoid welding after carburizing since the hard case cracks and decarburizes.
What surface finishes work on S15CK-CD?
No corrosion resistance in itself: finish with zinc or nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate + oil, or paint; carburized parts should be plated with low-hydrogen processes and baked to avoid embrittlement.
Can S15CK-CD be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — suits cold heading, upsetting, deep drawing and bending; hot forge 1100–1250 °C, then normalize before carburizing.
What is the maximum service temperature of S15CK-CD?
S15CK-CD 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 S15CK-HR and S15CK-CD?
HR is the default condition — standard stock condition for carburizing blanks; machine then case harden. CD: pick for close tolerance, bright surface and better chip control on turned pins and shafts. Yield strength is 255 MPa in HR versus 440 MPa in CD.
Sources
- JIS G 4051 — Carbon steels for machine structural use — JISC (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- GB/T 699 — Quality carbon structural steels (15 steel) — SAC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4A — Steel Heat Treating Fundamentals (carburizing) — ASM International (2013)
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.