1215 Free-Cutting Steel

1215 is a low-carbon, high-sulfur free-cutting steel known for its excellent machinability and high cutting efficiency. Compared with conventional low-carbon steels, it provides better chip breaking and good machined surface quality, making it particularly suitable for automatic screw machines, CNC turning, and high-volume precision component production.

Appearance & Properties

Color: Silver-gray to dark gray

Density: Approx. 7.85 g/cm³

Tensile Strength: Approx. 415–540 MPa (depending on material condition)

Corrosion Resistance: Poor

Machinability: Excellent

Weldability: Poor

Strength: Moderate

Magnetism: Magnetic

Surface Finishes: Zinc plating, nickel plating, black oxide, phosphating, painting, etc.

Typical Applications

1215 Free-Cutting Steel is widely used in automotive, electronics, automation equipment, instrumentation, hardware, and precision machinery.

Typical parts include precision shafts, pins, bolts, nuts, threaded rods, bushings, fittings, connectors, and various high-volume CNC turned components.

Advantages

• Excellent machinability

• High cutting efficiency and good chip breaking

• Good machined surface quality

• Ideal for high-speed CNC turning and automatic machining

• Well suited for high-volume precision component production

Limitations

• Poor corrosion resistance

• Lower weldability than conventional low-carbon steels

• Moderate strength and wear resistance

• Not suitable for high-load or highly corrosive environments