Steel C10E +S (Treated for shearability)
Heat-treated state
EN C10E
Bar condition with an upper hardness cap so blanks can be cold-sheared cleanly for cold-headed fasteners and pins.
Values for the +S condition
Other C10E tempers and conditions
C10E is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at C10E.
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 | — |
+SThis page 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 +S?
C10E +S is C10E heat treated to +S — bar condition with an upper hardness cap so blanks can be cold-sheared cleanly for cold-headed fasteners and pins. C10E +S has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). C10E +S 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). +N is the default condition FabDigit quotes; +S is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 32%, better than 95% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% 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 — 230 MPa (33.4 ksi), worse than 97% of steel grades
C10E +S properties
Typical room-temperature values for C10E +S; 21 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C10E reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C10E +S 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 +S has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C10E +S 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 +S 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 +S 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's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (92/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C10E +S
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.
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.
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 | — |
C10E +S — frequently asked
What is C10E +S used for?
C10E +S 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 +S?
C10E +S has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is C10E +S easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% 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 +S 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 +S?
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 +S 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 +S?
C10E +S 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.
