Steel 12L13 · supply condition · default condition
Steel 12L13-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other 12L13 tempers.
Lowest-cost as-rolled bar for parts machined all over or where tolerance and finish do not matter.
What is 12L13-HR?
12L13-HR is 12L13 supplied in the HR condition — lowest-cost as-rolled bar for parts machined all over or where tolerance and finish do not matter. 12L13-HR has a yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 12L13-HR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 25%, better than 76% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 235 MPa (34.1 ksi), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 12/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 250°C (482 °F), worse than 85% of steel grades
12L13-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 12L13-HR — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 12L13 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
12L13-HR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical13
12L13-HR has a yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
12L13-HR is rated for continuous service to 250°C (482 °F). It conducts heat at 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
12L13-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 12L13-HR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability7
12L13-HR's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 99% 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.
Other 12L13 tempers and conditions
12L13 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 12L13 overview.
- HRDefaultLowest-cost as-rolled bar for parts machined all over or where tolerance and finish do not matter.235 MPa yield · 116 HB
- CDDefault stock condition for screw-machine and CNC bar work: tight tolerance, straight, highest strength and best chip control.415 MPa yield · 167 HB
- CRCold-rolled flat, square and hexagonal free-machining stock where a bright, dimensionally accurate section is needed.400 MPa yield · 160 HB
- AnnealedSoftened condition used when cold heading, bending or deep staking follows machining, or to relieve cold-draw stresses and reduce distortion.220 MPa yield · 111 HB
Working with 12L13-HR
Is 12L13 easy to machine?
Outstanding machinability at high speed — lead plus MnS gives short chips, low tool wear and mirror-like turned finishes; sharp positive-rake tooling and adequate coolant/mist recommended, and lead swarf needs controlled handling.
Can 12L13 be welded?
Not recommended for welding: high sulfur/phosphorus and lead cause hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable, use low-hydrogen filler, preheat and expect reduced joint properties.
Can 12L13 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bending and heading are limited by low ductility and directional sulfide inclusions — use generous radii, bend transverse to inclusion flow only with caution; hot working above ~650 °C risks lead-induced hot shortness.
What surface finishes work on 12L13?
Take plating, black oxide and phosphate/oil well after degreasing; not anodizable, and lead/sulfide inclusions can leave micro-pits and slight plating porosity on polished surfaces.
12L13 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cmax only per SAE J403 | ≤ 0.13 | 0.1 |
| Mn | 0.7 – 1 | 0.85 |
| Prephosphorized for chip brittleness | 0.07 – 0.12 | 0.09 |
| SMnS inclusions for machinability | 0.24 – 0.33 | 0.28 |
| Pblead addition (the 'L') | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
12L13-HR — frequently asked
What is 12L13-HR used for?
12L13-HR is typically used for screw machine parts, fasteners and studs, hydraulic and pneumatic fittings, bushings and spacers, couplings and valve stems for light duty. In short: premium leaded machining bar.
What is the yield strength of 12L13-HR?
12L13-HR has a typical yield strength of 235 MPa (34.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 12L13-HR easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 99% of steel grades). Outstanding machinability at high speed — lead plus MnS gives short chips, low tool wear and mirror-like turned finishes; sharp positive-rake tooling and adequate coolant/mist recommended, and lead swarf needs controlled handling.
Can 12L13-HR be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (12/100). Not recommended for welding: high sulfur/phosphorus and lead cause hot cracking and porosity; if unavoidable, use low-hydrogen filler, preheat and expect reduced joint properties.
What surface finishes work on 12L13-HR?
Take plating, black oxide and phosphate/oil well after degreasing; not anodizable, and lead/sulfide inclusions can leave micro-pits and slight plating porosity on polished surfaces.
Can 12L13-HR be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bending and heading are limited by low ductility and directional sulfide inclusions — use generous radii, bend transverse to inclusion flow only with caution; hot working above ~650 °C risks lead-induced hot shortness.
What is the maximum service temperature of 12L13-HR?
12L13-HR 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 12L13-HR and 12L13-CD?
HR is the default condition — lowest-cost as-rolled bar for parts machined all over or where tolerance and finish do not matter. CD: default stock condition for screw-machine and CNC bar work: tight tolerance, straight, highest strength and best chip control. Yield strength is 235 MPa in HR versus 415 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 12L13-HR?
Yes — 12L13-HR is available for CNC machining 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 — General Requirements for Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — 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.