SAE 1015 is a plain low-carbon steel with 0.13–0.18% carbon and 0.30–0.60% manganese. The low carbon makes it easy to form, cold head and weld, and it takes a hard case after carburising while the core stays soft and tough. It is used for carburised pins and bushes, light gears and shafts, cold-headed bolts and screws, levers, brackets and chain parts.
OneKaizen supplies SAE 1015 as rolled round bars in Ø 16–500 mm, bright bars in Ø 8–160 mm, wire rods in Ø 5.5–40 mm, forged bars in Ø 250–1,030 mm and hot rolled steel in 2–16 mm thickness. Delivery condition is your choice: hot rolled, cold drawn, normalised or annealed. Every consignment ships with a mill test certificate.
EQUIVALENT GRADES
SAE 1015 Equivalents
Direct means the same grade under another name. Close means the same alloy concept with slightly different limits, commonly substituted. Approximate means similar use with real differences: check with us before substituting.
| Standard | Designation | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Old BS EN | EN32B | Close |
| BS 970 | 080M15 | Close |
| IS | 15C4 | Approximate |
| EN | C15E (1.1141) | Close |
| EN | C15 (1.0401) | Close |
| DIN W.Nr. | 1.1141 | Close |
| AISI/SAE | 1015 | Direct |
| UNS | G10150 | Direct |
| JIS | S15C | Direct |
| JIS | SWRCH15A | Close |
| KS | SM15C | Direct |
| GB | 15 | Direct |
SAE 1015 Chemical Composition
Per SAE J403 (SAE 1015)
| Element | Range, wt % | Range chart |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.13 – 0.18 | |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.05 |
SAE 1015 and Its Equivalents: Chemical Composition
Equivalent grades are written to different standards, so their limits differ slightly. Use the column for the standard on your drawing or purchase order.
| Element | SAE 1015 SAE J403 | C15E EN 10084 | S15C JIS G4051 | 080M15 BS 970-1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C % | 0.13–0.18 | 0.12–0.18 | 0.13–0.18 | 0.10–0.18 |
| Si % | – | ≤ 0.40 | 0.15–0.35 | 0.10–0.40 |
| Mn % | 0.30–0.60 | 0.30–0.60 | 0.30–0.60 | 0.60–0.90 |
| P % | ≤ 0.03 | ≤ 0.025 | ≤ 0.03 | ≤ 0.05 |
| S % | ≤ 0.05 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.05 |
Delivery Condition and Heat Treatment
SAE 1015 is normally case hardened: carburise, quench and temper to give a hard wear-resistant surface over a tough core. The carbon is too low to through-harden, so heat treating the whole section gives little gain. Annealed or normalised bar suits cold forming and heading.
The grade welds readily by common methods without special preheat for thin sections. Heavier sections may need care to avoid distortion.
If you need a higher core strength after carburising, SAE 1020 is the next step. An alloy case-hardening steel such as 16MnCr5 gives a stronger core and deeper case.
What We Supply SAE 1015 In
Where SAE 1015 Is Used
Industries: General engineering, Automotive, Fasteners, Agricultural equipment, Chain and conveyor, Hand tools
Compare SAE 1015 with Similar Grades
SAE 1015 Questions
Is SAE 1015 the same as C15E?
No, it is close but not identical. C15E (1.1141) in EN 10084 is the nearest European equivalent and has tighter phosphorus and sulphur limits than SAE 1015. They are widely interchanged. Tell us if your drawing specifies C15E.
Is SAE 1015 the same as S15C?
JIS S15C is a direct match for SAE 1015 and the two are interchanged, with small differences in the silicon and sulphur limits. Tell us which standard your drawing quotes.
What is the difference between SAE 1015 and SAE 1018?
SAE 1018 has slightly more carbon and a higher manganese band of 0.60–0.90%, so it is a little stronger. SAE 1015 forms and cold heads more easily. Both can be carburised.
Can SAE 1015 be case hardened and welded?
Yes to both. It is a typical case-hardening grade, and its low carbon gives good weldability. It cannot be through-hardened.
What is SAE 1015 used for?
Carburised pins and bushes, light gears and shafts, cold-headed bolts and screws, lever and bracket components and chain parts, mainly in general engineering, automotive, fastener and agricultural work.
What is the minimum order for SAE 1015 bars?
3 tonnes, flexible depending on size and your situation. Send us your size, condition and quantity and we confirm availability and delivery.
What is SAE 1015 equivalent to?
SAE 1015 is the same grade as AISI/SAE 1015, UNS G10150, JIS S15C, KS SM15C. Close equivalents are EN C15E, EN C15, DIN W.Nr. 1.1141, JIS SWRCH15A, BS 970 080M15, Old BS EN EN32B.
In which forms do you supply SAE 1015?
OneKaizen supplies SAE 1015 as Round Bars, Bright Bars, Wire Rods, Forged Bars, Hot Rolled Steel, delivered across India and exported to buyers abroad.
Do you supply SAE 1015 with a mill test certificate?
Yes. Every lot ships with an EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificate showing chemistry and mechanical properties, traceable to the heat number.
Data compiled by the OneKaizen metallurgy team from the standards named above. Updated 27 October 2026. Equivalents are nearest matches; confirm critical substitutions against the governing standard and mill certificate.