Steel Y15Pb-CH (Carburized and hardened)
Heat-treated state
Applied after machining when finished pins/shafts need a wear-resistant case over a soft free-cutting core.
Values for the CH condition
Other Y15Pb tempers and conditions
Y15Pb is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at Y15Pb.
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 | — |
CHThis page 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-CH?
Y15Pb-CH is Y15Pb heat treated to CH — applied after machining when finished pins/shafts need a wear-resistant case over a soft free-cutting core. Y15Pb-CH has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). Y15Pb-CH 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). CD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CH is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- Difficult to weld — 5/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 3/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 91% of steel grades
Y15Pb-CH properties
Typical room-temperature values for Y15Pb-CH; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Y15Pb reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
Y15Pb-CH 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-CH has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
Y15Pb-CH is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Y15Pb-CH conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Y15Pb-CH 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-CH's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability not recommended (3/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Y15Pb-CH
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.
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.
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 | — |
Y15Pb-CH — frequently asked
What is Y15Pb-CH used for?
Y15Pb-CH 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-CH?
Y15Pb-CH has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Y15Pb-CH easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% 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-CH be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Effectively non-weldable: sulfur and lead cause hot cracking and porosity; use mechanical joining or press/adhesive assembly.
What surface finishes work on Y15Pb-CH?
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-CH 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-CH?
Y15Pb-CH is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °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.
Can FabDigit make parts in Y15Pb-CH?
Yes — Y15Pb-CH 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.