Steel Y15-HR (Hot rolled)
Supply condition
GB Y15
Pick for larger diameters, subsequent machining from oversize stock or when maximum ductility is wanted.
Values for the HR condition
Other Y15 tempers and conditions
Y15 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at Y15.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Softest condition for cold heading, staking or upsetting before final machining. | 240 | 420 | 30 | 120 HB | 11 % IACS |
HRThis page Hot rolled | Pick for larger diameters, subsequent machining from oversize stock or when maximum ductility is wanted. | 270 | 450 | 26 | 130 HB | — |
Cold Drawn, stress relieved | Use when long slender turned parts must stay straight after heavy metal removal. | 400 | 560 | 13 | 155 HB | 10 % IACS |
CDDefault Cold drawn | Standard stock condition: tight tolerance, straight, bright bar for automatic-lathe production of screws, pins and bushings. | 450 | 600 | 10 | 167 HB | — |
Carburized and hardened | Use when the machined part needs a wear-resistant surface, e.g. small pins, bushes and cam followers. | 480 | 700 | 8 | 60 HRC | 9 % IACS |
What is Y15-HR?
Y15-HR is Y15 supplied in the HR condition — pick for larger diameters, subsequent machining from oversize stock or when maximum ductility is wanted. Y15-HR has a yield strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 91% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). Y15-HR 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; HR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 88/100, better than 99% 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
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 26%, better than 82% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 270 MPa (39.2 ksi), worse than 91% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 20/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
Y15-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for Y15-HR; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Y15 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
Y15-HR 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-HR has a yield strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 91% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
Y15-HR 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-HR conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (8/100), worse than 99% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Y15-HR 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-HR's machinability is excellent (88/100, better than 99% of steel grades); weldability poor (20/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Y15-HR
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-HR — frequently asked
What is Y15-HR used for?
Y15-HR 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-HR?
Y15-HR has a typical yield strength of 270 MPa (39.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 91% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Y15-HR easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (88/100, better than 99% 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-HR 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-HR?
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-HR 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-HR?
Y15-HR 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-HR?
Yes — Y15-HR is available for CNC machining; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. 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.