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Steel 1010 vs C10E2C

Steel · grade comparison

Steel 1010 and C10E2C are both steel grades. C10E2C is the stronger of the two: yield strength 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) against 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) for 1010, about 100% more; tensile strength follows at 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi). In exchange, 1010 is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 14% for C10E2C, and C10E2C is harder (128 HB vs 95 HB). 1010 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 350°C continuous). On the shop floor, C10E2C machines more easily (52 vs 42 out of 100).

1010Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

C10E2CChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

1010 vs C10E2C: properties

1010C10E2C

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

200 GPa29 Msi
205 GPa29.7 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

325 MPa47.1 ksi
440 MPa63.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

180 MPa26.1 ksi
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

28%
14%

Reduction in Area

50%
62%

Shear Strength

220 MPa31.9 ksi
290 MPa42.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

160 MPa23.2 ksi
195 MPa28.3 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

140 MPa·√m127 ksi·√in
130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

95 J70.1 ft·lbf
75 J55.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

95 HB
128 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

55 HRB
72 HRB

Hardness, Vickers

100 HV
—

Compressive Strength

—
360 MPa52.2 ksi

Same in both: Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

7.87 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,495°C2,723 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,525°C2,777 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

49.8 W/m·K28.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
51 W/m·K29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

448 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

12.2 µm/m·K6.8 µin/in·°F
11.8 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
350°C662 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 247 J/g106 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

12 % IACS
11.5 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.43×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.63 µΩ·in
1.5×10⁻⁷ Ω·m5.91 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.61 V · Corrosion Resistance 10 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

42 / 100
52 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

55%
60%

Weldability

95 / 100
92 / 100

Formability (cold)

90 / 100
93 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

80 / 100
75 / 100

Polishability

40 / 100
50 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

24 MJ/kg10,318 BTU/lb
25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

1.9 kg CO₂/kg
2.1 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

35 L/kg4.2 gal/lb
40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

41 kN·m/kg
56 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25.4 MN·m/kg
26.1 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

81 kJ/m³
316 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

14.1 mm²/s
13.8 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

7
9

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scale1010C10E2C

Manufacturing and finishing

Capability1010C10E2C
CNC machiningYes—
Sheet metalYes—
Default conditionHR—
Relative cost$ Budget$ Budget
Min. machined wall0.8 mm—
Best machined surfaceRa 1.6 µm—
AlCrNYes—
AlTiNYes—
Black OxideYes—
CVD Al2O3Yes—
CVD TiCNYes—
CVD TiNYes—
CerakoteYes—
Chrome PlatingYes—
CrNYes—
DLCYes—
E-CoatingYes—
HVOF CoatingYes—
Hot-Dip GalvanizingYes—
MoS2Yes—
Multilayer CVDYes—
Nickel PlatingYes—
PTFE CoatingYes—
PaintingYes—

They share 9 finishes: Copper Plating, Electroless Nickel (EN), Epoxy Coating, Gold Plating, Hard Chrome Plating, Manganese Phosphate, Plasma Spray, Silver Plating, Zinc Phosphate.

1010 vs C10E2C — frequently asked

Is C10E2C stronger than 1010?

Yes. C10E2C has a typical yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) against 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) for 1010 — about 100% more. Tensile strength is 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) vs 325 MPa (47.1 ksi).

Which is cheaper, 1010 or C10E2C?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($, budget); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, 1010 or C10E2C?

C10E2C, by a small margin. Both rate fair for machinability — 52/100 against 42/100 for 1010.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 1010 and C10E2C side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.