Steel C10C +AC (Spheroidize annealed)
Heat-treated state
EN 1.0214
Choose for the most severe multi-station cold heading/extrusion where die life and crack-free upsetting dominate.
Values for the +AC condition
Other C10C tempers and conditions
C10C is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at C10C.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+ACThis page Spheroidize annealed | Choose for the most severe multi-station cold heading/extrusion where die life and crack-free upsetting dominate. | 205 | 340 | 36 | 100 HB | — |
Annealed | Pick when maximum ductility is needed for deep drawing or moderate upsetting without full spheroidizing cost. | 215 | 350 | 33 | 105 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest supply condition for wire rod destined for in-house annealing or light upsetting. | 240 | 380 | 30 | 110 HB | — |
Light drawn / skin passed | Use when only surface finish and diameter tolerance are needed while keeping near-annealed ductility for heading. | 300 | 390 | 22 | 118 HB | 11.5 % IACS |
Spheroidize annealed and then cold drawn | Best combination of tight drawn tolerance and maximum cold-heading ductility; specified with a capped maximum tensile strength. | 340 | 410 | 18 | 122 HB | — |
+CDefault Cold drawn | Standard stock condition: drawn wire/bar with good size tolerance, straightness and moderate strength for general cold-headed fasteners. | 400 | 470 | 12 | 140 HB | — |
Carburized and hardened | Applied after cold forming when a wear-resistant hard case over a tough low-strength core is required (pins, small gears, self-drilling screws). | 400 | 600 | 10 | 60 HRC | — |
What is C10C +AC?
C10C +AC is C10C heat treated to +AC — choose for the most severe multi-station cold heading/extrusion where die life and crack-free upsetting dominate. C10C +AC has a yield strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 36% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi). C10C +AC has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F). +C is the default condition FabDigit quotes; +AC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 96/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 96/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 11.5 % IACS, better than 99% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 36%, better than 98% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 205 MPa (29.7 ksi), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades
C10C +AC properties
Typical room-temperature values for C10C +AC; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C10C reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C10C +AC has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical16
C10C +AC has a yield strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 36% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
C10C +AC is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C10C +AC conducts electricity at 11.5 % IACS, better than 99% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C10C +AC takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
C10C +AC's machinability is fair (38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades); weldability excellent (96/100); formability excellent (96/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C10C +AC
Is C10C easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — expect stringy chips and built-up edge; use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed and generous coolant, or specify a resulfurized grade if turning dominates.
Can C10C be welded?
Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and projection processes; carbon equivalent ~0.20 so no preheat or PWHT needed in normal sections.
Can C10C be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for severe multi-blow cold heading and cold extrusion; use +AC or +AC+C with phosphate/soap or polymer lubricant for high upset ratios, and consider intermediate stress-relief for heavy reductions.
What surface finishes work on C10C?
No corrosion resistance in the bare state — zinc or zinc-nickel electroplate (with baking against hydrogen embrittlement), hot-dip galvanize, mechanical zinc, or phosphate-and-oil; takes paint and plating readily.
C10C 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 10263-2/-3 cold heading grade | 0.07 – 0.13 | 0.1 |
| Silow Si for cold formability (fully killed with Al) | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, grain refinement / killed steel | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Curesidual limit typically agreed at order | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance | — |
C10C +AC — frequently asked
What is C10C +AC used for?
C10C +AC is typically used for cold-formed bolts and screws, rivets, cold-extruded fasteners and wire and rod products. In short: baseline cold-heading steel; weldability score 95; highest ductility in family.
What is the yield strength of C10C +AC?
C10C +AC has a typical yield strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is C10C +AC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, worse than 80% of steel grades). Soft and gummy — expect stringy chips and built-up edge; use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed and generous coolant, or specify a resulfurized grade if turning dominates.
Can C10C +AC be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (96/100). Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and projection processes; carbon equivalent ~0.20 so no preheat or PWHT needed in normal sections.
What surface finishes work on C10C +AC?
No corrosion resistance in the bare state — zinc or zinc-nickel electroplate (with baking against hydrogen embrittlement), hot-dip galvanize, mechanical zinc, or phosphate-and-oil; takes paint and plating readily.
Can C10C +AC be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for severe multi-blow cold heading and cold extrusion; use +AC or +AC+C with phosphate/soap or polymer lubricant for high upset ratios, and consider intermediate stress-relief for heavy reductions.
What is the maximum service temperature of C10C +AC?
C10C +AC is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C10C +C and C10C-CH?
+C is the default condition — standard stock condition: drawn wire/bar with good size tolerance, straightness and moderate strength for general cold-headed fasteners. CH: applied after cold forming when a wear-resistant hard case over a tough low-strength core is required (pins, small gears, self-drilling screws). Yield strength is 400 MPa in +C versus 400 MPa in CH.
Sources
- EN 10263-2 / EN 10263-3 — Steel rod, bars and wire for cold heading and cold extrusion — CEN (2017)
- EN 10027-2 material number 1.0214 — CEN (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook (machinability ratings, carbon steels) — Industrial Press (2020)
- Cold heading quality wire rod datasheets (C10C / 1.0214) — European wire rod producers (2022)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.