Steel C10E
EN C10E
C10E is a quality low-carbon engineering steel (1.1121, about 0.10 % C) per EN 10083, cross-referenced to 1010, 10 and S10C, used unalloyed for formed parts and as a case-hardening base.
Reference datasheet — C10E 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 condition
C10E tempers and conditions
C10E is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. +N is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition, specified for severe cold heading, deep drawing or upsetting; hardness capped for wire and cold-forging stock. | 210 | 360 | 36 | 105 HB | — |
Treated for shearability | Bar condition with an upper hardness cap so blanks can be cold-sheared cleanly for cold-headed fasteners and pins. | 230 | 390 | 32 | 115 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Cheapest mill condition for parts that will be carburized or normalized later; scaled surface and variable properties. | 235 | 400 | 30 | 115 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
+NDefault Normalized | Standard stock condition for bar and forgings: uniform fine ferrite-pearlite, balanced strength and toughness before carburizing or machining. | 250 | 420 | 30 | 120 HB | — |
Treated to ferrite-pearlite structure with hardness range | Specify when reproducible machinability and a controlled hardness band are needed on automatic lathes before carburizing. | 250 | 420 | 28 | 125 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Carburized and hardened | Final service condition for wear surfaces: hard 0.2–0.8 mm case on a tough, low-strength core; core strength quoted for ~11–30 mm bar. | 330 | 560 | 18 | 60 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Pick for close tolerance, straight bright bar used as pins and shafts with little or no machining. | 390 | 490 | 14 | 145 HB | — |
What is C10E?
C10E is a quality low-carbon engineering steel (1.1121, about 0.10 % C) per EN 10083, cross-referenced to 1010, 10 and S10C, used unalloyed for formed parts and as a case-hardening base. Engineers choose it for its very high weldability (95/100) and cold formability (90/100) in bar, wire and cold-headed blanks; in the default condition it gives 250 MPa yield, 420 MPa tensile, 30 % elongation and about 120 HB (67 HRB). Conditions on file include +N, +A, +C, +U, +FP, +S and CH. Core strength is low and machining is gummy, so consider 11SMn30 where chip control governs or C15E2C for a deeper, harder case. C10E 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). C10E has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is C10E used for?
- Cold-headed fasteners
- Shafts
- Pins
- Machine parts requiring case hardening
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 98% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 93% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), worse than 94% of steel grades
C10E properties
Typical room-temperature values for C10E-+N; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C10E 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).
Mechanical14
C10E has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C10E is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C10E conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C10E takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
C10E's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (90/100).
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. C10E is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C10E
Is C10E easy to machine?
Gummy and prone to built-up edge — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant; consider +C or +FP stock, or switch to 11SMn30 where chip control dominates.
Can C10E be welded?
Excellent by all arc, resistance and laser processes with CEV ≈ 0.20; no preheat or PWHT needed on normal sections, but avoid welding after carburizing.
Can C10E be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold heading, deep drawing and bending in +A/+N; bend radii down to ~0.5×t on sheet, and hot forming 850–1150 °C.
C10E 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 | 0.07 – 0.13 | 0.1 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| SC10R variant specifies 0.020–0.040 S | ≤ 0.04 | |
| CrCr+Mo+Ni ≤ 0.63 total | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Mo | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on C10E?
No inherent corrosion resistance — specify zinc or zinc-nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate-and-oil, or paint; case-hardened parts should be plated with hydrogen-embrittlement bake.
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
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel C10E in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.1121
- Similar grades
- 101010S10C
How much does C10E cost?
C10E 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.
C10E — frequently asked
What is C10E used for?
C10E is typically used for cold-headed fasteners, shafts, pins and machine parts requiring case hardening. In short: among the most weldable steels; cold-heading and case-hardening base; low cost, wide availability.
What is the yield strength of C10E?
C10E has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is C10E easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades). Gummy and prone to built-up edge — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant; consider +C or +FP stock, or switch to 11SMn30 where chip control dominates.
Can C10E be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent by all arc, resistance and laser processes with CEV ≈ 0.20; no preheat or PWHT needed on normal sections, but avoid welding after carburizing.
What surface finishes work on C10E?
No inherent corrosion resistance — specify zinc or zinc-nickel plating, black oxide, phosphate-and-oil, or paint; case-hardened parts should be plated with hydrogen-embrittlement bake.
Can C10E be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold heading, deep drawing and bending in +A/+N; bend radii down to ~0.5×t on sheet, and hot forming 850–1150 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of C10E?
C10E 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 C10E +N and C10E-CH?
+N is the default condition — standard stock condition for bar and forgings: uniform fine ferrite-pearlite, balanced strength and toughness before carburizing or machining. CH: final service condition for wear surfaces: hard 0.2–0.8 mm case on a tough, low-strength core; core strength quoted for ~11–30 mm bar. Yield strength is 250 MPa in +N versus 330 MPa in CH.
How much does C10E cost?
C10E 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
- EN 10084 — Case hardening steels, technical delivery conditions — CEN (2008)
- EN 10277 — Bright steel products, technical delivery conditions — CEN (2018)
- JIS G 4051 — Carbon steels for machine structural use (S10C) — JISC (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (carburizing of low-carbon steels) — ASM International (1991)
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.