Steel 45L
GOST 45L
GOST 45L is a higher-carbon cast carbon steel (about 0.45 % C) from the GOST cast steel family, strengthened by carbon rather than alloying additions and supplied cast, annealed, normalized, normalized-and-tempered, quenched-and-tempered or surface-hardened.
Reference datasheet — 45L is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the N+T condition
45L tempers and conditions
45L is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. N+T is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Untreated casting, used only for low-stress or later heat-treated parts; coarse dendritic structure, low ductility. | 290 | 540 | 8 | 190 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
Solution annealed | Choose for maximum machinability and stress relief before further machining or welding. | 290 | 550 | 15 | 179 HB | 8.7 % IACS |
Normalized | Refines the cast structure and gives balanced strength; the minimum treatment for load-bearing 45Л castings. | 320 | 590 | 11 | 207 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
N+TDefault Normalized and tempered | Standard supply condition of ГОСТ 977 45Л castings: good strength with restored toughness and dimensional stability. | 330 | 600 | 12 | 207 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
Normalized/Q&T core with induction- or flame-hardened surface | Use for cast sprockets, rollers and gear teeth needing a wear-resistant 45–52 HRC skin on a tough core. | 340 | 620 | 10 | 48 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Pick when higher yield strength and fatigue capacity are needed in gears, sprockets and heavily loaded links; limited to moderate section sizes. | 460 | 720 | 10 | 23 HRC | — |
What is 45L?
GOST 45L is a higher-carbon cast carbon steel (about 0.45 % C) from the GOST cast steel family, strengthened by carbon rather than alloying additions and supplied cast, annealed, normalized, normalized-and-tempered, quenched-and-tempered or surface-hardened. In the default condition it provides 330 MPa yield, 600 MPa tensile, 12 % elongation and about 207 HB, which suits heavily loaded sand and investment castings that must resist wear. The trade-offs are limited ductility, foundry-dependent soundness and poor weldability at this carbon level; a lower-carbon cast grade such as WCB is the usual choice when fabrication welding is required. 45L has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). 45L has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is 45L used for?
- heavy gears
- wear parts
- crusher components
- large machine housings
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 50 MPa·√m (45.5 ksi·√in), worse than 86% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Low strength — 330 MPa (47.9 ksi), worse than 78% of steel grades
45L properties
Typical room-temperature values for 45L-N+T; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
45L has a density of 7.83 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 80% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
45L has a yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
45L is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
45L conducts electricity at 8.5 % IACS, better than 63% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 45L takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 80%.
Manufacturability7
45L's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability poor (15/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. 45L is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 45L
Is 45L easy to machine?
Machine in the annealed or N+T condition with carbide tooling; expect abrasive scale and possible hard spots at chill zones — remove the cast skin in the first cut.
Can 45L be welded?
Poor weldability at 0.45 %C: use low-hydrogen electrodes, 200–300 °C preheat/interpass, and 600–650 °C post-weld tempering to avoid cracking.
Can 45L be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or investment cast; needs generous risering and directional solidification to avoid shrinkage porosity, plus a full normalize to break up the dendritic structure.
45L chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C | 0.42 – 0.5 | 0.45 |
| Si | 0.2 – 0.52 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 0.9 | 0.65 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| S0.06 max for lower casting groups | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| P0.06 max for lower casting groups | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance | — |
What surface finishes work on 45L?
Shot blast then paint, phosphate or zinc-rich primer; hard chrome or induction-hardened and ground bearing surfaces where wear matters.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
How much does 45L cost?
45L is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
45L — frequently asked
What is 45L used for?
45L is typically used for heavy gears, wear parts, crusher components and large machine housings. In short: high-strength cast carbon steel; wear-resistant as-cast parts; poor weldability, machine annealed.
What is the yield strength of 45L?
45L has a typical yield strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — weaker than 78% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 45L easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machine in the annealed or N+T condition with carbide tooling; expect abrasive scale and possible hard spots at chill zones — remove the cast skin in the first cut.
Can 45L be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Poor weldability at 0.45 %C: use low-hydrogen electrodes, 200–300 °C preheat/interpass, and 600–650 °C post-weld tempering to avoid cracking.
What surface finishes work on 45L?
Shot blast then paint, phosphate or zinc-rich primer; hard chrome or induction-hardened and ground bearing surfaces where wear matters.
Can 45L be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or investment cast; needs generous risering and directional solidification to avoid shrinkage porosity, plus a full normalize to break up the dendritic structure.
What is the maximum service temperature of 45L?
45L is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 45L N+T and 45L-F?
N+T is the default condition — standard supply condition of ГОСТ 977 45Л castings: good strength with restored toughness and dimensional stability. F: untreated casting, used only for low-stress or later heat-treated parts; coarse dendritic structure, low ductility. Yield strength is 330 MPa in N+T versus 290 MPa in F.
How much does 45L cost?
45L is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ГОСТ 977-88 Отливки стальные. Общие технические условия — Госстандарт СССР (1988)
- Марочник сталей и сплавов — Машиностроение (Сорокин В.Г.) (2003)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (cast carbon steels) — ASM International (1990)
- GB/T 11352 (ZG270-500 comparison) — SAC (2009)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.