Steel 1015 · supply condition · default condition
Steel 1015-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other 1015 tempers.
Cheapest and most-stocked form for welded structures, brackets and machined-all-over parts where surface finish and tolerance are not critical.
What is 1015-HR?
1015-HR is 1015 supplied in the HR condition — cheapest and most-stocked form for welded structures, brackets and machined-all-over parts where surface finish and tolerance are not critical. 1015-HR has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1015-HR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 96% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 88% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 190 MPa (27.6 ksi), worse than 99% of steel grades
1015-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1015-HR — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1015 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1015-HR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical14
1015-HR has a yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1015-HR is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
1015-HR conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1015-HR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
1015-HR's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (85/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1015 tempers and conditions
1015 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1015 overview.
- HRDefaultCheapest and most-stocked form for welded structures, brackets and machined-all-over parts where surface finish and tolerance are not critical.190 MPa yield · 101 HB
- CarburizedStandard route when 1015 must resist wear — hard martensitic case on a tough, unhardened low-carbon core for pins, bushings, small gears and levers.415 MPa yield · 60 HRC
- CDUse for turned/screw-machine parts, shafts and pins where higher yield strength, straightness and a bright ±tolerance surface are wanted.325 MPa yield · 111 HB
- NormalizedUse after forging or heavy welding to refine grain, even out properties and get slightly higher strength with good toughness.324 MPa yield · 121 HB
- CRChoose for sheet-metal stampings and formed enclosures needing a clean, tight-tolerance surface ready for plating or paint.310 MPa yield · 111 HB
- AnnealedSoftest, most ductile condition — pick it for severe cold forming, deep drawing or heavy cold heading, or to relieve prior work hardening.284 MPa yield · 111 HB
Working with 1015-HR
Is 1015 easy to machine?
Gummy in the annealed/HR state — use cold-drawn or normalized stock, sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and poor threads.
Can 1015 be welded?
Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes; carbon equivalent below 0.30 means no preheat or PWHT is normally needed on thin sections.
Can 1015 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — deep drawing, bending, riveting and cold heading are routine; hot forge 1100–1250 °C and normalize afterwards if grain growth matters.
What surface finishes work on 1015?
No inherent corrosion resistance: specify zinc or zinc-nickel plating, hot-dip galvanizing, phosphate+oil, black oxide or paint; polishes only to a moderate luster.
1015 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CSAE J403 / ASTM A29 | 0.13 – 0.18 | 0.15 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Sinot specified for non-resulfurized grades unless killed steel ordered | ≤ 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1015-HR — frequently asked
What is 1015-HR used for?
1015-HR is typically used for axles, dowel pins and chain pins. In short: classic low-carbon structural.
What is the yield strength of 1015-HR?
1015-HR has a typical yield strength of 190 MPa (27.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1015-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades). Gummy in the annealed/HR state — use cold-drawn or normalized stock, sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and poor threads.
Can 1015-HR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes; carbon equivalent below 0.30 means no preheat or PWHT is normally needed on thin sections.
What surface finishes work on 1015-HR?
No inherent corrosion resistance: specify zinc or zinc-nickel plating, hot-dip galvanizing, phosphate+oil, black oxide or paint; polishes only to a moderate luster.
Can 1015-HR be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — deep drawing, bending, riveting and cold heading are routine; hot forge 1100–1250 °C and normalize afterwards if grain growth matters.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1015-HR?
1015-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 1015-HR and 1015-CD?
HR is the default condition — cheapest and most-stocked form for welded structures, brackets and machined-all-over parts where surface finish and tolerance are not critical. CD: use for turned/screw-machine parts, shafts and pins where higher yield strength, straightness and a bright ±tolerance surface are wanted. Yield strength is 190 MPa in HR versus 325 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1015-HR?
Yes — 1015-HR is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASTM A29/A29M — Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought, General Requirements — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A1011/A1018 — Hot-Rolled and Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. (machinability ratings, carbon steel properties) — Industrial Press (2020)
- GB/T 699 (15 equivalent) — SAC (China) (2015)
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.