12L14 Free Machining Steel Bar — Factory Direct Supplier | Huaxia-Steel
12L14 is the fastest-machining carbon steel bar in common production: a resulfurized, rephosphorized carbon steel with lead additions that cuts 30–40% faster than 1215 and up to three times faster than 1045. For high-volume turned parts — fittings, inserts, bushings, hose couplings, fasteners — 12L14 delivers shorter cycle times, longer tool life, and superior surface finish (Ra 0.8 µm achievable without grinding). Huaxia-Steel supplies 12L14 cold-drawn bar from 3 mm to 80 mm in h9/h11 tolerances, cut-to-length from 10 mm, with EN 10204 3.1 certification.
Product Overview
Specification Table
| Parameter | Range / Value |
|---|---|
| Round bar diameter | 3 – 80 mm (cold drawn); peeled to 120 mm |
| Hex / square | 6 – 50 mm / 6 – 60 mm |
| Diameter tolerance | h9 (−0/-0.036 mm at 30 mm) or h11 standard |
| Straightness | ≤ 0.5 mm/m standard; ≤ 0.1 mm/m precision straightened |
| Lengths | 3–6 m random; cut-to-length 10 mm – 6 m (±0.5 mm) |
| Tensile strength (CD) | ≥ 480 MPa (≥ 540 MPa typical small sizes) |
| Yield strength (CD) | ≥ 410 MPa |
| Elongation (CD) | ≥ 10% |
| Hardness (CD) | 140–180 HB |
Chemical Composition (typical, %)
| Element | 12L14 | 1215 (lead-free alt.) | 12SMn37 (EN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon | 0.15 max | 0.09 max | 0.14 max |
| Manganese | 0.85–1.15 | 0.75–1.05 | 1.00–1.50 |
| Phosphorus | 0.04–0.09 | 0.04–0.09 | 0.11 max |
| Sulfur | 0.26–0.35 | 0.26–0.35 | 0.33–0.40 |
| Lead | 0.15–0.35 | — | — |
The machinability mechanism is worth understanding when specifying: sulfur forms soft MnS inclusions that break chips and lubricate the cut; phosphorus strengthens the matrix so chips are crisp rather than gummy; lead sits as micro-droplets that smear across the tool face as an internal lubricant. The result is high cutting speeds (300–400 m/min carbide, 1,000+ SFM), fine finishes, and small, manageable chips for bar-fed CNC lathes. EU RoHS/end-of-life vehicle rules restrict lead in many consumer/automotive applications — for those, specify 1215 or EN 12SMn37 and accept a 10–15% machining-speed reduction.
Manufacturing Standards and Process Control
Bar is produced from continuously cast billet rolled to a hot-rolled mother bar, then cold drawn through carbide dies to size and stress-relieved for straightness stability. Drawn bar is eddy-current tested for surface defects, sampled for tensile and hardness per lot, and bundle-tagged with heat numbers. Delivery conditions per ASTM A108 (cold drawn), with optional peeled/polished or ground-and-polished finish for sizes above 80 mm. For export lots we supply EN 10204 3.1 certificates listing ladle analysis (including the lead content band), tensile actuals, and dimensional inspection per lot.
Applications
Quality Assurance
Packaging and Shipping
12L14 Bar Cut to Your Blanks
3–80 mm cold drawn, h9/h11, cut-to-length from 10 mm, lead-free 1215 available for RoHS-restricted programs. Send your size list — quotation within 24 hours.
Request a quote: Contact Huaxia-Steel.
