Free Cutting Carbon Steel
1215, 1144, 12L14 and SUM24L for shafts, screws, bolts, bushings and high-production machining applications
Hara Metal supplies free cutting carbon steel bars for industrial applications that require easy machining, stable surface quality and consistent dimensional control. This category is suitable for automatic machining, high-volume production and precision parts that need better cutting performance and faster processing efficiency
and other grades
Product Details
Characteristics:
Free Cutting Carbon Steel exhibits fairly good ductility and toughness in the longitudinal direction, but these properties are lower in the transverse direction. This steel is highly recommended for high-production automatic machine products.
Application:
Among its many uses are axles and shafts, screws, spindles, ball joints, gears, bolts and bushings. This datasheet provides information on composition, physical properties, hardness, elasticity and tensile properties.
Characteristics:
1215 is an environmentally friendly iron. Compared with 12L14, it does not contain lead or harmful substances to the environment. It has good machinability and is suitable for general electroplating shafts and general parts. Moreover, 1215 has more accurate precision and good surface condition, which can save the configuration of processing machinery. The cost is used directly.
Application:
Used to make instruments, watch parts, etc. that require strict dimensional accuracy and smoothness.
Product specifications
| Specification range | Tensile strength Rm | Hardness |
| ≥Φ1 | 345~900 | HRB≤100 |
| Tolerance | The outer diameter tolerance can reach ≤0.04mm |
| Surface roughness | The drawing rod can reach ≤Ra0.6, the grinding rod can reach ≤Ra0.3, and there are no trachoma, threads or scratches on the surface. |
| Straightness | Bar length ≤3m, straightness up to 400mm≤0.04mm |
Characteristics:
1144 is commonly known as easy turning iron, with high strength and hardness and good cutting performance. Because it contains various easy-to-cut elements such as sulfur, phosphorus, and lead, the reduction in cutting resistance during processing is relatively small, which can effectively improve the service life and production efficiency of the tool.
Application:
Because of its excellent cutting performance, it is often used to process parts that require high rigidity, such as screws, polished rods, racks, machine screws, nuts, connecting bolts, steering rod ball bolts, oil pump transmission gears, and watches. Parts and splined shafts, etc.
Product specifications
| Specification range | Tensile strength Rm | Hardness |
| ≥Φ1 | 530~1200 | HRB≤100 |
| Tolerance | The outer diameter tolerance can reach ≤0.04mm |
| Surface roughness | The drawing rod can reach ≤Ra0.6, the grinding rod can reach ≤Ra0.3, and there are no trachoma, threads or scratches on the surface. |
| Straightness | Bar length ≤3m, straightness up to 400mm≤0.04mm |
Characteristics:
12L14 is an easy-to-cut structural steel with good processing performance, good electroplating performance, and good smoothness. It is produced to adapt to mechanical processing automation and assembly line production, because 1214 can accept deeper cutting amounts and faster speeds. The turning speed is high, and due to the presence of easy-cutting elements, the cutting resistance is reduced, turning chips are easy to shorten, the surface quality and accuracy of the processed products are good, and the service life of the tool is improved.
Application:
Widely used in the manufacture of precision instrument parts, automobile parts, and important parts of various types of machinery, such as bolts, long shafts, etc.
Product specifications
| Specification range | Tensile strength Rm | Hardness |
| ≥Φ1 | 345~900 | HRB≤100 |
| Tolerance | The outer diameter tolerance can reach ≤0.04mm |
| Surface roughness | The drawing rod can reach ≤Ra0.6, the grinding rod can reach ≤Ra0.3, and there are no trachoma, threads or scratches on the surface. |
| Straightness | Bar length ≤3m, straightness up to 400mm≤0.04mm |
| Free Cutting Carbon Steel | ||||||||||
| Material | Chemical composition (mass fraction) % | |||||||||
| C | Si | Mn | P | S | Ni | Cr | Mo | Cu | Pb | |
| SUM24L | <0.15 | —— | 0.85~1.15 | 0.04~0.09 | 0.26~0.35 | —— | —— | —— | —— | 0.10~0.35 |
| 1215 | <0.09 | —— | 0.75~1.05 | 0.04~0.09 | 0.26~0.35 | —— | —— | —— | —— | <0.10 |
| 1144 | 0.40~0.48 | —— | 1.35~1.65 | <0.04 | 0.24~0.33 | —— | —— | —— | —— | <0.10 |
| 12L14 | <0.15 | <0.15 | 0.95~1.15 | 0.04~0.07 | 0.26~0.35 | —— | —— | —— | —— | 0.25~0.35 |
What Is Free Cutting Carbon Steel?
Free cutting carbon steel is designed for applications that require improved machinability, efficient cutting performance and stable processing results. It is widely used in automatic machine products and high-production environments where reduced cutting resistance, better chip control and smoother machining performance are important. (Hara Metal)
Available Free Cutting Carbon Steel Grades
Hara Metal supplies key free cutting carbon steel grades including 1215, 1144, 12L14 and SUM24L, with additional grades available on request. These grades are commonly selected for machining-intensive applications that require better productivity, stable surface condition and practical performance in industrial production.
Why Choose Free Cutting Carbon Steel from Hara Metal?
- Excellent machinability for high-production use
- Reduced cutting resistance for more efficient processing
- Suitable for automatic machining applications
- Tight dimensional tolerance up to ≤0.04 mm
- Surface roughness up to Ra0.6 for drawn bars and Ra0.3 for ground bars
- Straightness control for precision applications
- Suitable for shafts, screws, bolts, bushings and precision industrial parts
Grade | Best For | Key Strength | Notes |
1215 | Precision parts, plated shafts, general machined parts | Good machinability and stable surface condition | Lead-free option suitable for general electroplating shafts and precision work |
1144 | Screws, polished rods, racks, nuts, splined shafts | High strength, hardness and cutting performance | Suitable for parts requiring higher rigidity |
12L14 | Precision instrument parts, automobile parts, bolts, long shafts | Excellent easy-cutting performance and good surface finish | Suitable for high-speed machining and automated production |
SUM24L | Precision machined parts and automatic machining applications | Free-cutting performance for efficient processing | Best confirmed based on actual part requirement |
Typical Applications
Free cutting carbon steel is widely used in industrial applications such as axles, shafts, screws, spindles, ball joints, gears, bolts, bushings, racks, machine screws, connecting bolts, steering rod ball bolts, oil pump transmission gears, watch parts and splined shafts. It is suitable for parts that require efficient machining, stable precision and better production speed in practical industrial use.
How to Choose the Right Free Cutting Carbon Steel Grade
Choose your grade based on the required machining speed, part precision, surface requirement and production volume. For environmentally conscious applications and general electroplating shafts, 1215 is a strong starting point. For parts requiring higher rigidity and stronger cutting performance, 1144 may be more suitable. For precision parts and high-speed automated machining, 12L14 is commonly considered. If you are unsure which grade matches your drawing or production process, contact Hara Metal for grade guidance and quotation support.
Request a Quote for Free Cutting Carbon Steel
Looking for 1215, 1144, 12L14 or SUM24L for your production line? Send your requirement to Hara Metal through our quotation request form and our team will help you confirm the suitable grade, product details and quotation.
FAQs
What is free cutting carbon steel used for?
Free cutting carbon steel is used for industrial parts such as shafts, screws, spindles, ball joints, gears, bolts, bushings and other components that require efficient machining and stable dimensional accuracy.
What grades of free cutting carbon steel does Hara Metal supply?
Hara Metal supplies 1215, 1144, 12L14 and SUM24L, with additional grades available on request.
What tolerance can Hara Metal provide for free cutting carbon steel bars?
Outer diameter tolerance can reach ≤0.04 mm, depending on the product specification.
Can Hara Metal supply drawn and ground bars?
Yes. Drawn bar surface roughness can reach Ra0.6, while ground bar surface roughness can reach Ra0.3.
How can I request a quote for free cutting carbon steel?
You can submit your inquiry through Hara Metal’s quotation form or contact the sales team directly for grade guidance and pricing support.