1215 Steel Shafts

Resulfurized free-machining steel for fast, clean, high-volume turning.

At a glance

Stocked condition	Cold finished
Machinability	Excellent — screw-machine grade
Weldability	Not weldable (resulfurized/rephosphorized)
Corrosion resistance	Low — keep it dry, coated, or oiled
Hardening	Not intended for heat treating
Density (nominal)	0.284 lb/in³
Food contact	No
Magnetic	Yes

1215 is a screw-machine steel: resulfurized and rephosphorized to break chips cleanly and cut at high speed, without the lead that 12L14 uses. For quantity runs of small turned parts it keeps cycle times, and therefore prices, at the floor.

Its limits mirror 12L14's — not weldable, not for food contact, and no meaningful hardening response. It is a machining-economics pick, not a strength pick.

Configure a 1215 part →

Any geometry in the configurator — diameters, threads, keyseats, grooves, holes, tapers — can be machined in 1215. Pick the material in the sidebar and the price updates live.

When to choose 1215

Higher-quantity runs of small turned parts where cycle time drives price.
Lead-free free-machining steel is preferred over 12L14.
Fittings, bushings, and spacers that never see high load.

Consider instead

12L14 — the leaded equivalent — marginally better finish on some cuts.
1018 — when weldability matters.
C360 brass — when corrosion resistance and finish beat steel economics.

Typical applications

High-volume turned fittings
Bushings and spacers
Studs and threaded standoffs
Small pins and rollers

Frequently Asked Questions

Both are free-machining steels. 12L14 adds lead for a slight edge in finish and tool life; 1215 achieves its machinability with sulfur and phosphorus alone, making it the lead-free option. Properties are otherwise similar.

Neither is recommended. The free-machining additives make welds brittle, and the low carbon gives no useful through-hardening response. Pick 1018 for welding or 1045 for hardening.

They are usually close. 1215 tends to win on higher-quantity runs where its chip control keeps machines running unattended, and wherever a lead-free material spec applies.

Stocked as 1215 CF — cold finished. Material and condition are paired — each grade ships in one condition optimized for our process; see all grades on the materials page.