SAE 1215 steel

Identity and selection purpose

Rodacciai's information-only 1215 table lists 375 MPa minimum-column 0.2% proof strength, 460–710 MPa tensile and 8% minimum A5 for +C cold-drawn stock above 16 through 40 mm. At the same size, +SH as-rolled or as-rolled and turned lists 380–570 MPa tensile and 169 HB maximum. Agree acceptance values with the supplier. Rodacciai form and size table

SAE 1215 is a low-carbon, resulfurized and rephosphorized free-machining steel. Eaton calls its cold-drawn product “screw stock” and lists pins, couplings, fittings, bushings and studs as typical applications. It is a candidate when extensive machining and surface finish dominate the production route; an application list does not qualify every part having one of those names. Eaton cold-drawn 1215

The grade designation needs a product specification, edition and supplied condition to become an actionable order. SAE J403 addresses carbon-steel chemical compositions, with cast/heat limits distinguished from product-analysis variations under J409. Its public record identifies J403_202402, stabilized February 23, 2024, following the June 2014 revision. SAE explains that the grades are now SAE designations because AISI no longer issues them. The public scope does not expose the full composition tables; supplier values below are not represented as an independent reproduction of that standard. SAE J403 scope and edition

Chemistry and the machining tradeoff

Rodacciai's 1215 sheet gives the following cast-analysis composition, in mass percent:

The phosphorus and sulfur entries are ranges, despite the generic maximum heading over phosphorus. Rodacciai references ASTM A29/A29M. Rodacciai 1215, revision 10/2018

For the free-cutting family, Rodacciai explains that sulfur promotes chip fragmentation. Its broader description also discusses lead and other machining additions in some grades; that family-level discussion must not be read as saying that 1215 contains every listed additive. Rodacciai free-cutting steel explanation

ArcelorMittal similarly describes sulfur's influence on inclusion morphology and tool life, while treating final mechanical requirements as a separate selection issue. It notes that special free-cutting grades have been developed for improved fatigue requirements. That is a reason to request appropriate fatigue evidence when needed, not to infer a fatigue limit from the 1215 name. ArcelorMittal free-cutting steels

Do not equate the absence of a specified lead addition with a universal “lead-free,” food-contact or environmental-compliance certification. If restricted substances matter, state the applicable limits and reporting requirements on the order and obtain a supplier declaration for the actual product. A four-element catalogue table is not a complete compliance assessment.

Product form and supplied condition

Eaton supplies hot-rolled 1215 rounds and separately offers cold-drawn round, hexagonal and square bars for improved tolerance and finish. Its hot-rolled page estimates tensile strength at 50–60 ksi, yield strength at 30–40 ksi, elongation at 25–35% in 2 inches, and hardness at 110–150 Brinell. These are estimated ranges, not guaranteed minima for every heat or size. Eaton hot-rolled 1215

Its cold-drawn page estimates 68–78 ksi tensile strength, 65–75 ksi yield strength, 15–20% elongation in 2 inches and 150–170 Brinell hardness. The contrast illustrates why a property record must retain the supplied condition. Do not pair the strength from one condition with the ductility from another to create a nonexistent material. Eaton cold-drawn estimates

Niagara LaSalle offers 1215 in finishes including as-drawn, ground-and-polished, turned-and-polished, and turned-ground-and-polished. Specify which condition and dimensional requirements are intended rather than using “cold finished” as the entire description. Niagara LaSalle 1215 finishes

Bounded size example

Rodacciai's information-only table distinguishes +C cold drawn from +SH as-rolled and/or as-rolled plus turned. For sizes above 16 through 40 mm, it lists cold-drawn proof strength Rp0.2 of 375 MPa minimum, tensile strength 460–710 MPa and A5 elongation 8% minimum. For the same size interval, +SH tensile strength is 380–570 MPa and hardness at most 169 HB. These information-only values require agreement before becoming procurement guarantees. Rodacciai condition and size table

Original calculation: a 20 mm solid round has area π × 20² / 4 = 314.2 mm². Under a concentric 10 kN tensile load, nominal stress is 10,000 / 314.2 = 31.8 MPa. This calculation is independent of the supplier's strength table. It does not establish an allowable load: threads, bending, stress concentrations, fatigue and the required margin must be checked using accepted properties for the actual part and condition.

Fabrication and process limits

Eaton does not recommend welding its hot-rolled 1215. Alro describes cold-finished C1215 as difficult to weld and not recommended for case hardening, emphasizing machinability rather than mechanical performance. Rodacciai places 1215 in its category of free-cutting steels not intended for heat treatment. Do not transfer a welding or carburizing recipe from low-carbon SAE 1020 merely because both grades have low carbon content. Eaton welding limitation, Alro C1215 guidance, Rodacciai classification

Qualify welding, severe forming, case hardening or impact performance for the actual stock and process.

Order and acceptance record

Specify the test method, specimen basis and certificate when mechanical acceptance matters. Retain heat identity through machining.

Rodacciai's actual PDF revision is 10/2018, not the search engine's crawl or publication estimate. The cited Eaton, Alro, Niagara LaSalle and manufacturer family pages display no technical revision date; copyright years do not establish editions. Confirm current product capability and agreed guarantees at quotation. None of these sources establishes a universal corrosion allowance, pressure rating, service temperature or fatigue endurance for a finished 1215 component.