Steel Y15 · heat-treated state
Steel Y15-CH
Properties of the CH condition, compared with the other Y15 tempers.
Use when the machined part needs a wear-resistant surface, e.g. small pins, bushes and cam followers.
What is Y15-CH?
Y15-CH is Y15 heat treated to CH — use when the machined part needs a wear-resistant surface, e.g. small pins, bushes and cam followers. Y15-CH has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). Y15-CH 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; CH is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- 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
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
Y15-CH properties
Typical room-temperature values for Y15-CH — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Y15 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
Y15-CH 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).
Mechanical15
Y15-CH has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
Y15-CH 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
Y15-CH conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (8/100), worse than 99% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Y15-CH 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
Y15-CH's machinability is poor (25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability poor (30/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other Y15 tempers and conditions
Y15 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Y15 overview.
- CDDefaultStandard stock condition: tight tolerance, straight, bright bar for automatic-lathe production of screws, pins and bushings.450 MPa yield · 167 HB
- CHUse when the machined part needs a wear-resistant surface, e.g. small pins, bushes and cam followers.480 MPa yield · 60 HRC
- HRPick for larger diameters, subsequent machining from oversize stock or when maximum ductility is wanted.270 MPa yield · 130 HB
Working with Y15-CH
Is Y15 easy to machine?
Excellent — high speeds, small positive-rake tooling and light feeds give short broken chips and bright finish; ideal for CNC/cam automatics and threading.
Can Y15 be welded?
Avoid welding: high S and P cause hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable use low-hydrogen filler, preheat 150 °C and expect reduced joint properties.
Can Y15 be formed, bent or molded?
Only light cold bending/knurling in the drawn state; anneal first for heading or upsetting, and orient bends across sulphide stringers with care.
What surface finishes work on Y15?
Not weather resistant — protect with oil, black oxide, zinc/nickel plating or phosphate; can be carburised and hard chrome plated for wear surfaces.
Y15 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 | 0.1 – 0.18 | 0.14 |
| Simax only | ≤ 0.15 | 0.08 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Pdeliberately rephosphorised for chip breaking | 0.05 – 0.1 | 0.07 |
| SMnS inclusions give free-cutting behaviour | 0.23 – 0.33 | 0.28 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.15 | — |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
Y15-CH — frequently asked
What is Y15-CH used for?
Y15-CH is typically used for screw machine parts, hose and pipe fittings, bolts, studs and threaded rod, bushings and spacers, shaft collars and keys and instrument and sensor housings. In short: free-machining carbon bar.
What is the yield strength of Y15-CH?
Y15-CH has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is Y15-CH easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (25/100, worse than 93% of steel grades). Excellent — high speeds, small positive-rake tooling and light feeds give short broken chips and bright finish; ideal for CNC/cam automatics and threading.
Can Y15-CH be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (20/100). Avoid welding: high S and P cause hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable use low-hydrogen filler, preheat 150 °C and expect reduced joint properties.
What surface finishes work on Y15-CH?
Not weather resistant — protect with oil, black oxide, zinc/nickel plating or phosphate; can be carburised and hard chrome plated for wear surfaces.
Can Y15-CH be formed, bent or molded?
Only light cold bending/knurling in the drawn state; anneal first for heading or upsetting, and orient bends across sulphide stringers with care.
What is the maximum service temperature of Y15-CH?
Y15-CH 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 Y15-CD and Y15-A?
CD is the default condition — standard stock condition: tight tolerance, straight, bright bar for automatic-lathe production of screws, pins and bushings. A: softest condition for cold heading, staking or upsetting before final machining. Yield strength is 450 MPa in CD versus 240 MPa in A.
Can FabDigit make parts in Y15-CH?
Yes — Y15-CH is available for CNC machining with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought (grade 1215) — ASTM (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 16 — Machining (free-machining steels) — 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.