Steel C45E Cold Drawn vs C45E Hot Rolled
Steel · C45E temper comparison
C45E Cold Drawn and C45E Hot Rolled are two conditions of the same steel grade, C45E: Cold Drawn versus Hot Rolled. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. C45E Cold Drawn is the stronger of the two: yield strength 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) against 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) for C45E Hot Rolled, about 65% more; tensile strength follows at 720 MPa (104 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi). In exchange, C45E Hot Rolled is the more ductile: elongation 16% versus 10% for C45E Cold Drawn, and C45E Cold Drawn is harder (215 HB vs 180 HB). On the shop floor, C45E Cold Drawn machines more easily (good vs fair).
C45E Cold DrawnChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
C45E Hot RolledChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.
C45E Cold Drawn vs C45E Hot Rolled: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
C45E Cold DrawnC45E Hot Rolled
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 210 GPa30.5 Msi · Shear Modulus 80 GPa11.6 Msi · Bulk Modulus 160 GPa23.2 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.29
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,420°C2,588 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,495°C2,723 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 475 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 11.5 µm/m·K6.4 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 250 J/g107 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 350°C662 °F · Min Service Temperature -20°C-4 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 10 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 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
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100 · Polishability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 24 MJ/kg10,318 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 2 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 30%
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.
C45E Cold Drawn vs C45E Hot Rolled — frequently asked
Is C45E Cold Drawn stronger than C45E Hot Rolled?
Yes. C45E Cold Drawn has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) against 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) for C45E Hot Rolled — about 65% more. Tensile strength is 720 MPa (104 ksi) vs 620 MPa (89.9 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Drawn or Hot Rolled?
Normalized is the default C45E condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Cold Drawn nor Hot Rolled). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which is easier to machine, C45E Cold Drawn or C45E Hot Rolled?
C45E Cold Drawn. Its machinability rates good (62/100) against fair (52/100) for C45E Hot Rolled.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C45E Cold Drawn and C45E Hot Rolled 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.