Steel 1117 · heat-treated state
Steel 1117 Carburized
Properties of the Carburized condition, compared with the other 1117 tempers.
Pick when a machined 1117 part needs a hard wear surface (0.3–1.0 mm case) over a tough low-carbon core.
What is 1117 Carburized?
1117 Carburized is 1117 heat treated to Carburized — pick when a machined 1117 part needs a hard wear surface (0.3–1.0 mm case) over a tough low-carbon core. 1117 Carburized has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1117 Carburized has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Carburized is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% 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
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 75% of steel grades
1117 Carburized properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1117 Carburized — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1117 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1117 Carburized has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical13
1117 Carburized has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1117 Carburized is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °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
1117 Carburized 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 1117 Carburized takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
1117 Carburized's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades); weldability fair (50/100); formability good (60/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1117 tempers and conditions
1117 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1117 overview.
- HRDefaultCheapest stock form for machined parts where a rough surface and ±loose size tolerance are acceptable.235 MPa yield · 121 HB
- CDStandard free-machining bar stock: bright surface, close diameter tolerance and ~70 % higher yield strength than hot rolled.415 MPa yield · 143 HB
- CarburizedPick when a machined 1117 part needs a hard wear surface (0.3–1.0 mm case) over a tough low-carbon core.400 MPa yield · 60 HRC
- CRCold-rolled flats and strip for machined or stamped-then-machined parts needing a bright, dimensionally accurate section.395 MPa yield · 137 HB
- AnnealedSoftest, most stable condition — use before heavy cold forming, deep upsetting or to relieve cold-drawn residual stress.220 MPa yield · 116 HB
Working with 1117 Carburized
Is 1117 easy to machine?
Excellent — free-cutting sulfides give short chips, low tool wear and good finish at high speeds; cold-drawn bar turns best, annealed stock can be slightly gummy.
Can 1117 be welded?
Fair at best — the 0.08–0.13 % S promotes hot cracking and porosity; use low-hydrogen or high-Mn filler, low heat input, and avoid critical structural welds.
Can 1117 be formed, bent or molded?
Adequate cold bending in the rolling direction only; transverse ductility is poor because of sulfide stringers, so anneal or bend generously and avoid tight transverse radii.
What surface finishes work on 1117?
No corrosion resistance — specify zinc, nickel or Zn-Ni plating, black oxide, phosphate-and-oil or paint; sulfide inclusions can cause slight pitting/pull-out on mirror-polished or plated surfaces.
1117 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 | 0.14 – 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Mn | 1 – 1.3 | 1.15 |
| Sresulfurized for free machining (MnS inclusions) | 0.08 – 0.13 | 0.1 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Sinot specified for basic open-hearth/BOF bar; typical residual | ≤ 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1117 Carburized — frequently asked
What is 1117 Carburized used for?
1117 Carburized is typically used for splines, gears and screw machine products. In short: free-machining carbon steel.
What is the yield strength of 1117 Carburized?
1117 Carburized has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 1117 Carburized easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades). Excellent — free-cutting sulfides give short chips, low tool wear and good finish at high speeds; cold-drawn bar turns best, annealed stock can be slightly gummy.
Can 1117 Carburized be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (50/100). Fair at best — the 0.08–0.13 % S promotes hot cracking and porosity; use low-hydrogen or high-Mn filler, low heat input, and avoid critical structural welds.
What surface finishes work on 1117 Carburized?
No corrosion resistance — specify zinc, nickel or Zn-Ni plating, black oxide, phosphate-and-oil or paint; sulfide inclusions can cause slight pitting/pull-out on mirror-polished or plated surfaces.
Can 1117 Carburized be formed, bent or molded?
Adequate cold bending in the rolling direction only; transverse ductility is poor because of sulfide stringers, so anneal or bend generously and avoid tight transverse radii.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1117 Carburized?
1117 Carburized 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 1117-HR and 1117-CD?
HR is the default condition — cheapest stock form for machined parts where a rough surface and ±loose size tolerance are acceptable. CD: standard free-machining bar stock: bright surface, close diameter tolerance and ~70 % higher yield strength than hot rolled. Yield strength is 235 MPa in HR versus 415 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1117 Carburized?
Yes — 1117 Carburized 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, General Requirements — ASTM (2020)
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- GB/T 8731 (Y15) — SAC (2008)
- EN 10087 — Free-cutting steels (11SMn30, 1.0715) — CEN (1998)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Mysteel / SMM Y15 (2025)
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.