Steel 1522 · heat-treated state
Steel 1522 Q&T
Properties of the Q&T condition, compared with the other 1522 tempers.
Use where higher yield and toughness are needed in moderate sections (shafts, links, tube fittings); hardenability limits full through-hardening above ~25 mm.
What is 1522 Q&T?
1522 Q&T is 1522 heat treated to Q&T — use where higher yield and toughness are needed in moderate sections (shafts, links, tube fittings); hardenability limits full through-hardening above ~25 mm. 1522 Q&T has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) — stronger than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). 1522 Q&T has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Q&T is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- 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 electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades
1522 Q&T properties
Typical room-temperature values for 1522 Q&T — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 1522 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
1522 Q&T has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F).
Mechanical14
1522 Q&T has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) — stronger than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
1522 Q&T is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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
1522 Q&T conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 1522 Q&T takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
1522 Q&T's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability good (60/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 1522 tempers and conditions
1522 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 1522 overview.
- HRDefaultDefault stock form for structural parts, weldments and blanks that will be machined or later heat treated.305 MPa yield · 143 HB
- Q&TUse where higher yield and toughness are needed in moderate sections (shafts, links, tube fittings); hardenability limits full through-hardening above ~25 mm.480 MPa yield · 12 HRC
- CDCold drawn round/hex bar for screw-machine and shaft work needing straightness, size tolerance and higher yield.480 MPa yield · 167 HB
- CRChoose for tight thickness tolerance, smooth surface and higher as-supplied strength in sheet/strip; ductility is reduced.460 MPa yield · 163 HB
- NormalizedUniform fine grain and better toughness/consistency than as-rolled; standard pre-treatment for weldments and forgings.345 MPa yield · 156 HB
- AnnealedSoftest condition — pick for deep cold forming, heavy machining passes or stress relief before hardening.275 MPa yield · 131 HB
Working with 1522 Q&T
Is 1522 easy to machine?
Machines like a medium-carbon steel at ~65 % of 1212; normalized or cold-drawn stock cuts cleanest, use rigid setups and good chip control since it is non-resulfurized and can be gummy when annealed.
Can 1522 be welded?
Readily welded by SMAW/GMAW with E70-class filler; carbon equivalent ~0.42–0.48, so preheat 100–150 °C for sections over ~25 mm and consider post-weld normalizing on critical parts.
Can 1522 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold headability and bendability in annealed/hot-rolled condition (bend radius ≈1–2 t); hot forge 1100–1230 °C, finish above 850 °C then normalize.
What surface finishes work on 1522?
No anodizing — protect with zinc or zinc-nickel plating, phosphate + oil, black oxide or paint; carburized parts should be plated only with low-hydrogen processes plus bake.
1522 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 | 0.18 – 0.24 | 0.21 |
| Mnhigh-Mn 15xx series | 1.1 – 1.4 | 1.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Smax; 1522H/killed grades often lower | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Siwhen killed steel specified | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Fe | balance | — |
1522 Q&T — frequently asked
What is 1522 Q&T used for?
1522 Q&T is typically used for welded tube, forged drive shafts, industrial gears, connecting rods, cold-headed fasteners and agricultural machinery structural parts. In short: manganese-modified carbon bar.
What is the yield strength of 1522 Q&T?
1522 Q&T has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 640 MPa (92.8 ksi) — stronger than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 1522 Q&T easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like a medium-carbon steel at ~65 % of 1212; normalized or cold-drawn stock cuts cleanest, use rigid setups and good chip control since it is non-resulfurized and can be gummy when annealed.
Can 1522 Q&T be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (60/100). Readily welded by SMAW/GMAW with E70-class filler; carbon equivalent ~0.42–0.48, so preheat 100–150 °C for sections over ~25 mm and consider post-weld normalizing on critical parts.
What surface finishes work on 1522 Q&T?
No anodizing — protect with zinc or zinc-nickel plating, phosphate + oil, black oxide or paint; carburized parts should be plated only with low-hydrogen processes plus bake.
Can 1522 Q&T be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold headability and bendability in annealed/hot-rolled condition (bend radius ≈1–2 t); hot forge 1100–1230 °C, finish above 850 °C then normalize.
What is the maximum service temperature of 1522 Q&T?
1522 Q&T 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 1522-HR and 1522-CD?
HR is the default condition — default stock form for structural parts, weldments and blanks that will be machined or later heat treated. CD: cold drawn round/hex bar for screw-machine and shaft work needing straightness, size tolerance and higher yield. Yield strength is 305 MPa in HR versus 480 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in 1522 Q&T?
Yes — 1522 Q&T 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 — ASTM (2020)
- SAE J1397 — Estimated Mechanical Properties and Machinability of Hot-Wrought and Cold-Drawn Steel Bars — SAE International (2009)
- 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)
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.