Loading page
Should I use 1018 or 12L14 steel?
Use 12L14 for high-volume turned parts that are not welded or highly stressed: its lead lets it machine at about 170% of the 1212 baseline, more than twice 1018 at 70%, with short chips and fine finishes. Use 1018 when the part is welded, cold formed, impact-loaded, or must be lead-free for RoHS, Prop 65 or a customer ban.
Steel 1018 (cold drawn)
Steel 12L14 (leaded free-machining)
By the numbers
Priced on the same representative part: plate, cnc machining, 50 pcs.
Tensile strengthMPa
1018
440
12L14
540
Yield strengthMPa
1018
370
12L14
415
Densityg/cm³
1018
7.87
12L14
7.87
Elongation%
1018
15
12L14
10
Raw material cost$/kg
1018
2.2
12L14
2.6
Which should you pick?
Pick 1018 when
- The part is welded
- It is crimped, flared or headed
- It sees impact or high fatigue loads
- Lead is restricted by RoHS, Prop 65 or a customer spec
Pick 12L14 when
- It runs on screw machines or Swiss lathes at volume
- Cycle time and tool life drive part cost
- Loads are modest, as in fittings, bushings, spacers and inserts
- Parts will be plated or black oxided
Key differences
| 1018 | 12L14 | |
|---|---|---|
| Weldability | Welds without preheat | Not weldable: porosity, cracking and toxic fumes |
| Chips and finish | Stringier chips; slower speeds | Short, broken chips; fine finish off the tool |
| Lead content | None | 0.15–0.35%; relies on RoHS Annex III exemption 6(a) |
| Fatigue and impact | Better | Lower; avoid for highly stressed or impact parts |
| Cold forming | Handles moderate crimping, flaring and heading | Poor for crimping, flaring and heading |
| Case hardening | Carburizes to a 58–62 HRC case | Carburizes or carbonitrides, 0.005–0.020 in (0.13–0.5 mm) case |
| Lead-free alternative | Not needed | 1215, about 136% machinability |
Questions
Is 12L14 stronger than 1018?
In a tensile test, slightly: cold drawn 12L14 runs about 78 ksi (540 MPa) versus 64 ksi (440 MPa) for 1018. But 12L14 has lower fatigue strength and toughness, so 1018 is the safer choice for cyclic or impact loads.
Is 12L14 RoHS compliant?
RoHS limits lead to 0.1%, and 12L14 carries 0.15–0.35%. It has relied on the RoHS Annex III exemption 6(a) for machining steel with up to 0.35% lead. Exemptions are reviewed periodically, so confirm current status for your product category.
What is the lead-free alternative to 12L14?
1215, a resulfurized steel without lead. It machines at about 136% versus 170% for 12L14 and avoids lead restrictions. Choose it when a customer, RoHS or Prop 65 rules out lead.
Try both on your part.
The builder prices the same geometry in every suitable process and material, with DFM for each.