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Steel SUM31 CD-SR

Heat-treated state

JIS SUM31

CD-SR = cold drawn, stress relieved

Choose when asymmetric machining would otherwise cause the part to bow after cutting.

Budget cost $

Values for the CD-SR condition

Other SUM31 tempers and conditions

SUM31 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at SUM31.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Solution annealed
Softest state — pick for maximum cold formability, deep drilling or before carburizing.23040033116 HB—
Hot rolled
Cheapest as-rolled bar for parts that will be fully machined or subsequently heat treated.25043028126 HB—
Normalized
Uniform fine grain and predictable machining response; used to reset structure after forging.27045030131 HB—
CD-SRThis page
Cold drawn, stress relieved
Choose when asymmetric machining would otherwise cause the part to bow after cutting.37049018143 HB10.5 % IACS
CDDefault
Cold drawn
The standard stocked condition: good size tolerance, straightness and free-cutting behaviour on automatic lathes.40051015150 HB—
Carburized, quenched and low-temperature tempered
Use when the finished part needs a hard wear surface (pins, small gears, bushings) over a tough low-carbon core.4807001260 HRC9.5 % IACS

What is SUM31 CD-SR?

SUM31 CD-SR is SUM31 heat treated to CD-SR — choose when asymmetric machining would otherwise cause the part to bow after cutting. SUM31 CD-SR has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). SUM31 CD-SR 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). CD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CD-SR is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Easy to machine — 82/100, better than 98% of steel grades
  • Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Hard to polish — 35/100, worse than 99% of steel grades

SUM31 CD-SR properties

Typical room-temperature values for SUM31 CD-SR; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are SUM31 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

SUM31 CD-SR 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,420°C2,588 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,500°C2,732 °F

Mechanical15

SUM31 CD-SR has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus200 GPa29 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)490 MPa71.1 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)370 MPa53.7 ksi
Elongation at Break18%
Reduction in Area50%
Compressive Strength370 MPa53.7 ksi
Shear Strength325 MPa47.1 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)240 MPa34.8 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)45 J33.2 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell143 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B78 HRB
Hardness, Vickers150 HV

Thermal6

SUM31 CD-SR is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °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).

Thermal Conductivity51 W/m·K29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.9 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion247 J/g106 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)350°C662 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

SUM31 CD-SR conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity10.5 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 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 readily in humid air, water and chlorides; MnS inclusions act as local pitting initiation sites. Resists dry hydrocarbons and alkalis; attacked by acids. Requires oiling, phosphating, zinc plating or black oxide.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of SUM31 CD-SR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

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 Content25%

Manufacturability7

SUM31 CD-SR's machinability is very good (82/100, better than 98% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability fair (45/100).

MachinabilityVery good82/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)90%
WeldabilityPoor30/100
Formability (cold)Fair45/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood60/100
PolishabilityFair35/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use zinc/nickel plating, black oxide or phosphate instead

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

Working with SUM31 CD-SR

Is SUM31 easy to machine?

Excellent free-cutting steel — MnS gives short chips at high feeds; run sharp positive tooling with good coolant, and expect ~90 % of AISI 1212 productivity.

Can SUM31 be welded?

Poor: 0.08–0.13 % S promotes hot/solidification cracking, so avoid structural welding or use low-heat-input, low-dilution processes with basic filler.

Can SUM31 be formed, bent or molded?

Only light bending or coining in the annealed state; sulfide stringers make transverse cold heading and deep drawing unreliable.

What surface finishes work on SUM31?

Not anodizable; protect by zinc/nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate + oil or paint — sulfide inclusions can cause pinholes in thin plating.

SUM31 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
C0.14 – 0.20.17
Mn1 – 1.31.15
Pmax per JIS G4804≤ 0.040.02
Sfree-machining addition (MnS)0.08 – 0.130.1
Sinot normally specified; rimmed/semi-killed practice≤ 0.10.05
Febalance—

SUM31 CD-SR — frequently asked

What is SUM31 CD-SR used for?

SUM31 CD-SR is typically used for small shafts, pins and carburized components. In short: free-cutting carburizing grade; 82 machinability rating; not for welded assemblies.

What is the yield strength of SUM31 CD-SR?

SUM31 CD-SR has a typical yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is SUM31 CD-SR easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated very good (82/100, better than 98% of steel grades). Excellent free-cutting steel — MnS gives short chips at high feeds; run sharp positive tooling with good coolant, and expect ~90 % of AISI 1212 productivity.

Can SUM31 CD-SR be welded?

Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Poor: 0.08–0.13 % S promotes hot/solidification cracking, so avoid structural welding or use low-heat-input, low-dilution processes with basic filler.

What surface finishes work on SUM31 CD-SR?

Not anodizable; protect by zinc/nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate + oil or paint — sulfide inclusions can cause pinholes in thin plating.

Can SUM31 CD-SR be formed, bent or molded?

Only light bending or coining in the annealed state; sulfide stringers make transverse cold heading and deep drawing unreliable.

What is the maximum service temperature of SUM31 CD-SR?

SUM31 CD-SR is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between SUM31-CD and SUM31-A?

CD is the default condition — the standard stocked condition: good size tolerance, straightness and free-cutting behaviour on automatic lathes. A: softest state — pick for maximum cold formability, deep drilling or before carburizing. Yield strength is 400 MPa in CD versus 230 MPa in A.

Sources

  1. JIS G 4804 — Sulfur and sulfur-compound free-cutting steels — JSA (2019)
  2. ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)

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.