AISI / SAE 1144 RESULPHURIZED HIGH-STRENGTH MEDIUM CARBON FREE MACHINING STEEL

SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steel

We are SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steel Manufacturers, Suppliers, and Exporters in Mumbai, India. STEEL MART is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company established in 1986, with decades of experience in supplying high-quality free-cutting steel products to various industries. We specialize in manufacturing and supplying SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steels (SAE 1144 / AISI 1144 / Stressproof Equivalent / BS 970 225M44 / DIN 44SMn28 / W.Nr 1.0727) that meet national and international quality standards for high-tensile turned shafts, heavy drive axles, pump spindles, splined shafts, studs, and precision CNC components. SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steel is a resulphurized medium-carbon high-strength engineering steel specified under American Standards (AISI / SAE) for applications requiring high yield strength, distortion resistance, and superior free-machining performance. Formulated with 0.40–0.48% Carbon, elevated Manganese (1.35–1.65%), and high Sulphur (0.24–0.33%), SAE 1144 forms well-dispersed Manganese Sulphide (MnS) inclusions that act as internal chip breakers. This unique chemical balance delivers 85% machinability, clean chip fragmentation, and minimal tool wear on high-speed CNC lathes. In cold drawn and strain-relieved condition (+C), SAE 1144 provides high bar straightness, tight h9/h10 tolerances, and exceptional yield strength (550–750 MPa) without requiring quench and temper heat treatment. It also responds exceptionally well to localized induction hardening (52–58 HRC) on wear journals. Because of its outstanding strength, fatigue resistance, and free machining performance, SAE 1144 Steel is widely specified across heavy motor armatures, hydraulic cylinder rods, high-tensile turned studs, pump spindles, and industrial machine shafts.

Our SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steels are 100% Prime – Tested & Guaranteed, ensuring precise chemical composition, dimensional accuracy, and consistent machinability. Each product is supplied with proper Mill Test Certificates (MTC) confirming compliance with AISI / SAE / ASTM standards with EN 10204 3.1 certification. STEEL MART follows strict quality control procedures and ensures timely delivery.

ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED
100% PRIME TESTED
MILL TEST CERTIFICATE
40+ Years Experience
ISO 9001:2015 Certified Company
Worldwide Supply & Export
On Time Fast Delivery
What is SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steel

What is SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steel?

SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steel (AISI 1144 / SAE 1144 / Stressproof Equivalent / BS 970 225M44 / DIN 44SMn28 / W.Nr 1.0727) is a resulphurized medium carbon high-strength free-machining engineering steel specified under American Standards (AISI / SAE) for heavy-duty turned components requiring high strength, low distortion, and excellent machinability. Formulated with 0.40–0.48% Carbon, 1.35–1.65% Manganese, and high Sulphur (0.24–0.33%), SAE 1144 achieves a high strength-to-weight ratio combined with 85% machinability rating. The Manganese Sulphide (MnS) inclusions act as chip breakers during turning, drilling, and thread milling, reducing tool wear and eliminating thermal distortion. In cold drawn and strain-relieved condition (+C), SAE 1144 provides high bar straightness, tight h9/h10 tolerances, and high yield strength (550–750 MPa). It responds exceptionally well to induction hardening (52–58 HRC) on critical wear surfaces. It is widely specified for automotive drive axles, pump spindles, motor armatures, hydraulic cylinder rods, high-tensile studs, gear shafts, and heavy CNC turned components.

✔ American SAE Standard High-Strength Resulphurized Steel (SAE 1144 / AISI 1144)
✔ High Sulphur (0.24–0.33%) & Manganese (1.35–1.65%) for 85% Machinability
✔ High Yield Strength (550–750 MPa) in Cold Drawn & Strain-Relieved Condition
✔ Minimizes Machining Distortion & Heat Warpage in Long Shafts
✔ Responds to Induction Hardening (52–58 HRC) for Wear Resistant Journals
✔ Global Equivalents: Stressproof Equivalent / BS 970 225M44 / W.Nr 1.0727

85% Machinability

High sulphur resulphurized structure allows fast CNC turning & threading.

700–900 MPa Tensile

High yield strength (550–750 MPa) eliminates heat treatment distortion.

0.24–0.33% Sulphur

High sulphur content generates microscopic MnS inclusions for clean chip fragmentation.

52–58 HRC Hardness

Responds to localized induction hardening for high wear resistance on journals & pins.

Low Warpage Finish

Strain relieved condition ensures minimal distortion during heavy keyway milling.

Motor Shafts & Spindles

Ideal choice for electric motor shafts, pump spindles, drive axles, & splined shafts.

Why Choose STEEL MART for SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steel

STEEL MART is the preferred choice for purchasing SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steel due to its strong reputation for quality and reliability. With over 40 years of experience in the steel industry, the company ensures that every product meets strict industry standards. The company follows strict quality inspection procedures to ensure that every SAE 1144 Steel product meets international standards.

Each product is carefully tested to ensure durability, strength, and performance. Customers trust STEEL MART for consistent quality, competitive pricing, and timely delivery. The company maintains a large inventory to meet urgent and bulk requirements efficiently. In addition to SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steels, STEEL MART also supplies a wide range of resulphurized, alloy steel, and carbon steel products for various industrial applications.

Chemical Composition of SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steel

Element Composition (%)
Carbon (C) 0.40 – 0.48 %
Manganese (Mn) 1.35 – 1.65 %
Sulphur (S) 0.24 – 0.33 %
Silicon (Si) 0.15 – 0.35 %
Phosphorus (P) 0.040 % Max

Medium Carbon (0.40-0.48%) and Manganese (1.35-1.65%) combine with high Sulphur (0.24-0.33%) for maximum strength and 85% machinability.

Equivalent Grades of SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steel

Standard Equivalent Grade
AISI / SAE SAE 1144 / AISI 1144 / Stressproof
BS 970 225M44 / EN8M variant
DIN / EN 44SMn28 / 1.0727
JIS SUM43
ISO 44SMn28

These international equivalents ensure global engineering specification compatibility.

Mechanical Properties of SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steel (Cold Drawn & Strain Relieved)

The mechanical properties of SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steels make them ideal for heavy-duty motor shafts, pump spindles, drive axles, splined shafts, and high-tensile studs. In cold drawn and strain relieved condition (+C), SAE 1144 delivers high yield strength and minimal distortion.

Tensile Strength 700 - 900 MPa
Yield Strength 550 - 750 MPa
Elongation (A5) 10 - 16 %
Hardness (HBW) 210 - 260 HBW
Machinability Rating 80 - 85 % (Relative to 1212)

Manufacturing & Processing of SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steel

SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steel bars undergo controlled hot rolling, descaling, heavy cold drawing (+C), and strain relieving to achieve high yield strength without heat treatment distortion.

🔥
Hot Rolling (1050°C - 1150°C)

Hot worked with controlled high manganese and sulphur additions for optimal MnS distribution.

💨
Shot Blasting & Descaling

Surface descaling to remove oxide scale prior to cold drawing operations.

⚡
Cold Drawing & Strain Relieving (+C)

Heavy cold reduction drawn through carbide dies followed by thermal strain relief to maximize yield strength.

💧
Induction Hardening (Optional)

Localized induction hardening on wear journals to achieve surface case hardness up to 52–58 HRC.

SAE 1144 Industry Applications

SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steels are widely used across Electric Motor Shafts, Pump Spindles, Automotive Drive Axles, Splined Shafts, and High-Tensile Studs.

⚙
Electric Motor Shafts & Armatures

Heavy-duty electric motor armatures, generator shafts, rotor shafts, & drive spindles.

🔩
Pump & Hydraulic Spindles

High-pressure hydraulic pump shafts, piston rods, impeller shafts, & valve stems.

🚗
Automotive Drive Line Components

Heavy-duty drive shafts, axle shafts, steering knuckles, splined hubs, & transmission shafts.

🏭
High-Tensile Studs & Bolts

High-strength turned studs, cylinder head bolts, wheel studs, & tie rods.

⚡
Machine Tool Lead Screws & Keys

Precision lead screws, keyway shafts, milling machine arbors, & indexing pins.

🔨
Agricultural & Mining Machinery

Tractor PTO shafts, excavator pivot pins, harvester shafts, & heavy implement spares.

Availability and Customization

At STEEL MART, we supply SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steels in a wide range of sizes and specifications.

Profiles Available Round Bars, Hexagon Bars, Square Bars, & Flat Bars
Diameter / Size Round: 5 mm to 250 mm | Hex: 6 mm to 75 mm AF | Square: 6 mm to 100 mm
Condition Supplied in Cold Drawn & Strain Relieved (+C), Normalized, or Turned condition
Length Standard lengths from 3 meters to 6 meters
Tolerances h9, h10, or h11 precision drawn tolerance per ISO / DIN 175
Customization Band-saw cut-to-length and chamfered bar ends available upon request
Certification Supplied with 100% Prime Mill Test Certificate (EN 10204 3.1)

Our strict quality control ensures consistent chemical composition and machining performance.

Enquire For Rates ✉

Submit your specific requirements to get instant price quotes directly from Steel Mart Mumbai.

GET INSTANT PRICE QUOTE

Conclusion

SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steel (AISI 1144 / SAE 1144 / Stressproof Equivalent / BS 970 225M44 / DIN 44SMn28 / W.Nr 1.0727) is a premier American standard resulphurized medium-carbon high-strength steel widely specified across electric motor shafts, pump spindles, automotive drive axles, splined shafts, and high-tensile turned studs. Combining high yield strength (550–750 MPa) in cold drawn & strain-relieved condition, high sulphur (0.24–0.33%) for 85% machinability rating, minimal heat warpage, and induction hardening response (52–58 HRC), it provides superior performance for CNC turned components demanding mechanical strength without heat treatment distortion. Supplied by STEEL MART with strict quality inspection and full EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certification, SAE 1144 Steel is an outstanding high-strength resulphurized grade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common answers regarding SAE 1144 Free Cutting Steel specifications and parameters.

SAE 1144 contains 0.40–0.48% Carbon, 1.35–1.65% Manganese, 0.24–0.33% Sulphur, 0.15–0.35% Silicon, and max 0.040% Phosphorus.

In cold drawn and strain-relieved condition (+C), SAE 1144 achieves a minimum yield strength of 550–750 MPa, eliminating the need for quench and temper heat treatment and preventing thermal distortion during keyway or spline milling.

SAE 1144 has higher carbon (0.44%) and much higher sulphur content (0.24-0.33%) than SAE 1141, providing 85% machinability rating and significantly higher yield strength compared to plain carbon 1045.

Electric motor armature shafts, hydraulic pump spindles, automotive drive axles, splined drive shafts, high-tensile turned studs, and heavy machinery lead screws.

STEEL MART supplies SAE 1144 in round bars, hexagon bars, square bars, and flat bars in Cold Drawn & Strain Relieved (+C), Normalized, or Turned condition with mill test certificates.