Steel Y15Pb
Y15Pb is a resulfurized and leaded free-cutting carbon steel equivalent to AISI 12L14, in which lead plus manganese sulfide inclusions break chips and lower cutting forces; its machinability rating is 98.
Values for the CD condition
Y15Pb tempers and conditions
Y15Pb is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. CD is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Use when maximum ductility for cold heading, staking or crimping is needed after drawing. | 250 | 420 | 26 | 130 HB | 11 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Cheapest form for larger diameters that will be fully machined or subsequently cold drawn. | 280 | 450 | 25 | 150 HB | — |
Cold drawn plus low-temperature stress relief | Pick when machined parts must stay straight/dimensionally stable after heavy stock removal. | 420 | 540 | 15 | 163 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
CDDefault Cold drawn | Standard stock condition: bright, close-tolerance bar for automatic screw machines and CNC turning. | 450 | 560 | 12 | 170 HB | — |
Carburized and hardened | Applied after machining when finished pins/shafts need a wear-resistant case over a soft free-cutting core. | 450 | 620 | 10 | 58 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
What is Y15Pb?
Y15Pb is a resulfurized and leaded free-cutting carbon steel equivalent to AISI 12L14, in which lead plus manganese sulfide inclusions break chips and lower cutting forces; its machinability rating is 98. Cold-drawn bar gives 450 MPa yield, 560 MPa tensile, 12% elongation and about 170 HB (87 HRB), and it is the default stock for high-volume turned parts on multi-spindle and CNC lathes, supplied CD, HR, stress-relieved CD, annealed and cold-headed. It is effectively non-weldable, has low cold formability and no corrosion resistance, and lead content may be restricted by end-use regulations. 1215 is the nearest unleaded resulfurized alternative. Y15Pb 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). Y15Pb has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is Y15Pb used for?
- Screw-machine turned parts
- Hydraulic and pneumatic fittings
- Hose nipples and adapters
- Bushings and spacers
- Threaded studs and couplings
- Instrument and connector bodies
- Small shafts and pins
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 98/100, better than 100% 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
- Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
Y15Pb properties
Typical room-temperature values for Y15Pb-CD; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
Y15Pb 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).
Mechanical12
Y15Pb has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
Y15Pb is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Y15Pb conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Y15Pb takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
Y15Pb's machinability is excellent (98/100, better than 100% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (12/100); formability fair (35/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. Y15Pb is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Y15Pb
Is Y15Pb easy to machine?
Benchmark free-cutting steel — run 20–40 % faster than 1018 with high feeds, sharp positive geometry and light chip loads; excellent finish and short chips.
Can Y15Pb be welded?
Effectively non-weldable: sulfur and lead cause hot cracking and porosity; use mechanical joining or press/adhesive assembly.
Can Y15Pb be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability — light knurling, staking and thread rolling are fine, but avoid sharp bends or deep cold heading; hot working above ~1000 °C risks hot shortness.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to Y15Pb. Every Y15Pb part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent98 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Y15Pb 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 |
| Si | ≤ 0.15 | 0.08 |
| Mn | 0.8 – 1.2 | 1 |
| Pdeliberately added for chip breaking | 0.05 – 0.1 | 0.07 |
| SMnS inclusions | 0.23 – 0.33 | 0.28 |
| Pbfinely dispersed lead | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on Y15Pb?
Plates well (zinc, zinc-nickel, electroless nickel) and takes black oxide or phosphate + oil; degrease thoroughly since inclusions can trap fluids and blister plating.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel Y15Pb in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- 12L14
How much does Y15Pb cost?
Y15Pb is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Y15Pb — frequently asked
What is Y15Pb used for?
Y15Pb is typically used for screw-machine turned parts, hydraulic and pneumatic fittings, hose nipples and adapters, bushings and spacers, threaded studs and couplings and instrument and connector bodies. In short: leaded free-machining bar.
What is the yield strength of Y15Pb?
Y15Pb has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Y15Pb easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (98/100, better than 100% of steel grades). Benchmark free-cutting steel — run 20–40 % faster than 1018 with high feeds, sharp positive geometry and light chip loads; excellent finish and short chips.
Can Y15Pb be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). Effectively non-weldable: sulfur and lead cause hot cracking and porosity; use mechanical joining or press/adhesive assembly.
What surface finishes work on Y15Pb?
Plates well (zinc, zinc-nickel, electroless nickel) and takes black oxide or phosphate + oil; degrease thoroughly since inclusions can trap fluids and blister plating.
Can Y15Pb be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability — light knurling, staking and thread rolling are fine, but avoid sharp bends or deep cold heading; hot working above ~1000 °C risks hot shortness.
What is the maximum service temperature of Y15Pb?
Y15Pb is rated for continuous use to about 250°C (482 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between Y15Pb-CD and Y15Pb-A?
CD is the default condition — standard stock condition: bright, close-tolerance bar for automatic screw machines and CNC turning. A: use when maximum ductility for cold heading, staking or crimping is needed after drawing. Yield strength is 450 MPa in CD versus 250 MPa in A.
How much does Y15Pb cost?
Y15Pb is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in Y15Pb?
Yes — Y15Pb 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 (12L14 analogue) — ASTM (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.