FabDigitFabDigit

Steel SUM32-CD (Cold drawn)

Supply condition · default condition

JIS SUM32

Standard stocked condition for screw-machine work: good size tolerance, straightness and chip control.

Budget cost $

Values for the CD condition

Other SUM32 tempers and conditions

SUM32 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at SUM32.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Hot rolled
Cheapest form for large-section parts that will be fully machined or subsequently heat treated.23542533121 HB—
Solution annealed
Softest condition for heavy cold heading, deep boring or before carburizing.28543033121 HB10.8 % IACS
Normalized
Uniform fine grain and better toughness/consistency before machining or case hardening.30346733.5121 HB10.5 % IACS
Cold Drawn + Stress Relieved
Choose when parts must stay straight after asymmetric machining of cold-drawn bar.39547018143 HB10.5 % IACS
CDDefaultThis page
Cold drawn
Standard stocked condition for screw-machine work: good size tolerance, straightness and chip control.41548515143 HB—
Carburized, Quenched & Tempered
Use when the machined part needs a wear-resistant case (~0.3–1.0 mm) over a tough low-carbon core.4206401560 HRC—

What is SUM32-CD?

SUM32-CD is SUM32 supplied in the CD condition — standard stocked condition for screw-machine work: good size tolerance, straightness and chip control. SUM32-CD has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 485 MPa (70.3 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). SUM32-CD has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).

Advantages

  • Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 98% of steel grades
  • Conducts heat well — 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades
  • Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades

SUM32-CD properties

Typical room-temperature values for SUM32-CD; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are SUM32 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

SUM32-CD has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,500°C2,732 °F

Mechanical13

SUM32-CD has a yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 485 MPa (70.3 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)485 MPa70.3 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)415 MPa60.2 ksi
Elongation at Break15%
Reduction in Area40%
Shear Strength290 MPa42.1 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)240 MPa34.8 ksi
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)40 J29.5 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell143 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B78 HRB

Thermal6

SUM32-CD is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity51.9 W/m·K30 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity486 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.7 µm/m·K6.5 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)350°C662 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

SUM32-CD 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; attacked by acids. MnS stringers act as pit-initiation sites, so pitting resistance is below plain carbon steel. Requires oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc or Ni plating.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of SUM32-CD takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 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)1.9 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability7

SUM32-CD's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 98% of steel grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability fair (40/100).

MachinabilityExcellent85/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)91%
WeldabilityFair40/100
Formability (cold)Fair40/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood65/100
PolishabilityFair40/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use black oxide, phosphate, zinc or electroless nickel instead

Common Calculations5

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated62 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated26.1 MN·m/kg
Modulus of Resiliencecalculated420 kJ/m³
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated13.6 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated10

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

Working with SUM32-CD

Is SUM32 easy to machine?

Excellent — ~90 % of 1212; MnS breaks chips and lubricates the cutting edge, allowing high feeds on CNC lathes with standard carbide.

Can SUM32 be welded?

Marginal — high sulfur invites hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable use low-hydrogen filler, preheat 100–150 °C and low heat input, and avoid highly restrained joints.

Can SUM32 be formed, bent or molded?

Only light cold bending/heading; sulfide stringers cut transverse ductility, so hot form above 900 °C for severe shapes.

What surface finishes work on SUM32?

No anodizing; protect with black oxide, zinc phosphate, zinc or electroless nickel plating — inclusions can leave micro-pits after polishing or plating.

SUM32 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
CJIS G4804 free-cutting steel0.12 – 0.20.16
MnAISI 1117 counterpart runs 1.00–1.300.6 – 1.10.9
P≤ 0.040.03
SMnS inclusions give the free-cutting behaviour0.1 – 0.20.15
Sinot normally specified; usually low (rimmed/semi-killed practice)≤ 0.10.05
Febalance—

SUM32-CD — frequently asked

What is SUM32-CD used for?

SUM32-CD is typically used for gears, shafts and bushings. In short: case-hardenable free-cutting steel; about 90 % of 1212; better formability than SUM41.

What is the yield strength of SUM32-CD?

SUM32-CD has a typical yield strength of 415 MPa (60.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 485 MPa (70.3 ksi) — weaker than 56% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is SUM32-CD easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 98% of steel grades). Excellent — ~90 % of 1212; MnS breaks chips and lubricates the cutting edge, allowing high feeds on CNC lathes with standard carbide.

Can SUM32-CD be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). Marginal — high sulfur invites hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable use low-hydrogen filler, preheat 100–150 °C and low heat input, and avoid highly restrained joints.

What surface finishes work on SUM32-CD?

No anodizing; protect with black oxide, zinc phosphate, zinc or electroless nickel plating — inclusions can leave micro-pits after polishing or plating.

Can SUM32-CD be formed, bent or molded?

Only light cold bending/heading; sulfide stringers cut transverse ductility, so hot form above 900 °C for severe shapes.

What is the maximum service temperature of SUM32-CD?

SUM32-CD 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 SUM32-CD and SUM32-HR?

CD is the default condition — standard stocked condition for screw-machine work: good size tolerance, straightness and chip control. HR: cheapest form for large-section parts that will be fully machined or subsequently heat treated. Yield strength is 415 MPa in CD versus 235 MPa in HR.

Sources

  1. JIS G 4804 Sulfur and sulfur-composite 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 and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
  5. SAE/AISI machinability ratings for carbon steels — SAE International (2017)

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.