Steel 12L14 · supply condition · default condition
Steel 12L14-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other 12L14 tempers.
Lowest-cost form for large sections or parts that will be fully machined; loose tolerances and scaled surface.
What is 12L14-HR?
12L14-HR is 12L14 supplied in the HR condition — lowest-cost form for large sections or parts that will be fully machined; loose tolerances and scaled surface. 12L14-HR has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 12L14-HR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °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
Limitations
- Low strength — 230 MPa (33.4 ksi), worse than 97% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 15/100, worse than 91% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 77% of steel grades
12L14-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for 12L14-HR — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 12L14 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
12L14-HR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical12
12L14-HR has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
12L14-HR is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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
12L14-HR conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (9/100), worse than 98% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 12L14-HR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability6
12L14-HR's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 99% of steel grades); weldability poor (15/100); formability fair (40/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 12L14 tempers and conditions
12L14 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 12L14 overview.
- HRDefaultLowest-cost form for large sections or parts that will be fully machined; loose tolerances and scaled surface.230 MPa yield · 121 HB
- CDDefault stock condition for round/hex/square bar: best size tolerance, straightness and surface for automatic turning.415 MPa yield · 163 HB
- CRChoose for flats, strip or TGP bar where a bright, dimensionally tight surface is needed without further sizing.400 MPa yield · 150 HB
- AnnealedPick when cold-drawn stock must be softened or de-stressed to avoid distortion in long, slender or asymmetric machined parts.250 MPa yield · 111 HB
Working with 12L14-HR
Is 12L14 easy to machine?
Benchmark free-cutting steel: run high surface speeds with sharp positive-rake tooling and light feeds; the Pb/MnS produces short chips, excellent finish and long tool life — collect lead-bearing chips/mist properly.
Can 12L14 be welded?
Essentially not weldable — high S/P and Pb cause hot cracking and porosity; use mechanical fastening, brazing or press fits instead.
Can 12L14 be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability: light knurling, thread rolling and shallow bends are practical, but tight bends and hot working risk hot-shortness from lead and sulfides.
What surface finishes work on 12L14?
No corrosion resistance of its own — specify zinc, zinc-nickel or electroless nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate + oil; plating adhesion can suffer from lead smear, so degrease and activate thoroughly.
12L14 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 | ≤ 0.15 | 0.1 |
| Mn | 0.85 – 1.15 | 1 |
| Prephosphorized for chip breaking | 0.04 – 0.09 | 0.06 |
| SMnS inclusions | 0.26 – 0.35 | 0.3 |
| Pbfree-machining lead addition | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
12L14-HR — frequently asked
What is 12L14-HR used for?
12L14-HR is typically used for machined fittings, fasteners and valve bodies. In short: super-fast machining; standard.
What is the yield strength of 12L14-HR?
12L14-HR has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 12L14-HR easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 99% of steel grades). Benchmark free-cutting steel: run high surface speeds with sharp positive-rake tooling and light feeds; the Pb/MnS produces short chips, excellent finish and long tool life — collect lead-bearing chips/mist properly.
Can 12L14-HR be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (15/100). Essentially not weldable — high S/P and Pb cause hot cracking and porosity; use mechanical fastening, brazing or press fits instead.
What surface finishes work on 12L14-HR?
No corrosion resistance of its own — specify zinc, zinc-nickel or electroless nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate + oil; plating adhesion can suffer from lead smear, so degrease and activate thoroughly.
Can 12L14-HR be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability: light knurling, thread rolling and shallow bends are practical, but tight bends and hot working risk hot-shortness from lead and sulfides.
What is the maximum service temperature of 12L14-HR?
12L14-HR is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 12L14-HR and 12L14-CD?
HR is the default condition — lowest-cost form for large sections or parts that will be fully machined; loose tolerances and scaled surface. CD: default stock condition for round/hex/square bar: best size tolerance, straightness and surface for automatic turning. Yield strength is 230 MPa in HR versus 415 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 12L14-HR?
Yes — 12L14-HR 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 — General Requirements for Steel Bars — ASTM (2020)
- ASTM A108 — Steel Bar, Carbon and Alloy, Cold-Finished — ASTM (2018)
- SAE J403 — Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels — SAE International (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- GB/T 8731 — (Y15Pb equivalent) — 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.