Steel 1141 · supply condition
Steel 1141-CR
Properties of the CR condition, compared with the other 1141 tempers.
Choose for a smooth as-supplied surface and tighter size on flats/strip where a cold-drawn round is not offered.
What is 1141-CR?
1141-CR is 1141 supplied in the CR condition — choose for a smooth as-supplied surface and tighter size on flats/strip where a cold-drawn round is not offered. 1141-CR has a yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) — stronger than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 1141-CR 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 68/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades
- High strength — 585 MPa (84.8 ksi), better than 76% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
1141-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1141-CR — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1141 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1141-CR 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).
Mechanical13
1141-CR has a yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) — stronger than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
1141-CR is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °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
1141-CR conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 74% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1141-CR 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
1141-CR's machinability is good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1141 tempers and conditions
1141 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1141 overview.
- HRDefaultDefault, cheapest stock form; pick for machined parts that will be heat treated afterwards or where tolerances are cut on all surfaces.360 MPa yield · 192 HB
- QT_33_38HRCHighest practical through-hardened level for 1141 in small sections; pick for wear-loaded pins and studs, accepting reduced toughness.1,000 MPa yield · 35 HRC
- QT_28_32HRCMost common heat-treated spec for 1141 machined shafts, axles and hydraulic components — good strength with acceptable machinability.830 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- QT_22_26HRCTough general-purpose heat-treated condition for shafts and studs where ductility matters more than peak strength.690 MPa yield · 24 HRC
- CDMost common commercial condition for screw-machine work: higher yield, bright surface and close diameter tolerance straight from the bar.640 MPa yield · 217 HB
- IHPick for shafts and splines needing a wear-resistant case and high bending fatigue strength while keeping a ductile core; 1141's Mn level suits induction practice.600 MPa yield · 54 HRC
- CRChoose for a smooth as-supplied surface and tighter size on flats/strip where a cold-drawn round is not offered.585 MPa yield · 212 HB
- NormalizedUse to homogenize structure and improve toughness/ductility uniformity before machining or as a final condition for moderately loaded parts.405 MPa yield · 201 HB
- AnnealedPick when maximum ductility and lowest hardness are needed for heavy cold forming or to relieve prior cold work.350 MPa yield · 170 HB
Working with 1141-CR
Is 1141 easy to machine?
Excellent free-cutting behaviour (≈70 % of 1212) with short chips and good surface finish; run high feeds with carbide and expect good tool life, but avoid it where transverse toughness or leak-tight sealing surfaces are critical.
Can 1141 be welded?
Not recommended — 0.4 % C plus 0.10 % S gives hot cracking and hard HAZ; if unavoidable, preheat 200–300 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relieve.
Can 1141 be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability; bend generously (≥3t) in annealed condition, or hot form at 1100–1200 °C and avoid working below ~850 °C because sulfides cause hot shortness.
What surface finishes work on 1141?
No corrosion resistance bare — specify oil, black oxide, phosphate, zinc or Cr-free zinc-nickel plating; grinding and hard chrome are common on induction-hardened shaft journals; sulfide stringers can leave micro-pits on high-polish surfaces.
1141 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 | 0.37 – 0.45 | 0.41 |
| Mn | 1.35 – 1.65 | 1.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Sresulfurized for machinability | 0.08 – 0.13 | 0.1 |
| Sinot specified in SAE 1141; typical residual 0.15–0.35 for killed steel | ≈ 0.22 | 0.22 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1141-CR — frequently asked
What is 1141-CR used for?
1141-CR is typically used for tie rods, studs and splined shafts. In short: high-strength fatigue resistant.
What is the yield strength of 1141-CR?
1141-CR has a typical yield strength of 585 MPa (84.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) — stronger than 76% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is 1141-CR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades). Excellent free-cutting behaviour (≈70 % of 1212) with short chips and good surface finish; run high feeds with carbide and expect good tool life, but avoid it where transverse toughness or leak-tight sealing surfaces are critical.
Can 1141-CR be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Not recommended — 0.4 % C plus 0.10 % S gives hot cracking and hard HAZ; if unavoidable, preheat 200–300 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relieve.
What surface finishes work on 1141-CR?
No corrosion resistance bare — specify oil, black oxide, phosphate, zinc or Cr-free zinc-nickel plating; grinding and hard chrome are common on induction-hardened shaft journals; sulfide stringers can leave micro-pits on high-polish surfaces.
Can 1141-CR be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability; bend generously (≥3t) in annealed condition, or hot form at 1100–1200 °C and avoid working below ~850 °C because sulfides cause hot shortness.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1141-CR?
1141-CR is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 1141-HR and 1141-CD?
HR is the default condition — default, cheapest stock form; pick for machined parts that will be heat treated afterwards or where tolerances are cut on all surfaces. CD: most common commercial condition for screw-machine work: higher yield, bright surface and close diameter tolerance straight from the bar. Yield strength is 360 MPa in HR versus 640 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1141-CR?
Yes — 1141-CR 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)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- SAE J404 / J1268 (hardenability of carbon and alloy steels) — SAE International (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 4: Heat Treating — ASM International (1991)
- GB/T 8731 (comparable Y40Mn grade) — SAC (2008)
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.