Steel C10E2C +AC (Spheroidize annealed)
Heat-treated state
EN C10E2C
Softest, most ductile state — choose for severe multi-station cold extrusion and deep upsetting.
Values for the +AC condition
Other C10E2C tempers and conditions
C10E2C is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at C10E2C.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+ACThis page Spheroidize annealed | Softest, most ductile state — choose for severe multi-station cold extrusion and deep upsetting. | 205 | 330 | 36 | 100 HB | — |
Annealed | General softening anneal when full spheroidization is not required, e.g. before moderate upsetting or re-drawing. | 215 | 350 | 33 | 105 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Mill-delivered hot-rolled coil for further drawing, annealing or light upsetting; cheapest starting condition. | 240 | 380 | 30 | 110 HB | — |
Lightly drawn / sized | Small reduction only to clean surface and hold diameter while keeping near-annealed ductility for heavy heading. | 300 | 400 | 20 | 118 HB | 11.5 % IACS |
+AC+CDefault Spheroidize annealed and cold drawn | Standard cold-heading wire delivery: soft spheroidized core with drawn size accuracy and phosphate/soap coating — default choice for fastener heading. | 360 | 440 | 14 | 128 HB | — |
Carburized and hardened | Applied to the finished cold-formed part when a hard wear-resistant case (typ. 0.1–0.6 mm) over a tough soft core is needed. | 360 | 550 | 12 | 60 HRC | — |
Hot rolled then cold drawn | Bright cold-drawn wire/bar with higher strength and good size/finish tolerance; for light heading, rivets and machined parts. | 440 | 520 | 10 | 150 HB | — |
What is C10E2C +AC?
C10E2C +AC is C10E2C heat treated to +AC — softest, most ductile state — choose for severe multi-station cold extrusion and deep upsetting. C10E2C +AC has a yield strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 36% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). C10E2C +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). +AC+C is the default condition FabDigit quotes; +AC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 98/100, 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
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% 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
C10E2C +AC properties
Typical room-temperature values for C10E2C +AC; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C10E2C reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C10E2C +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).
Mechanical15
C10E2C +AC has a yield strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 36% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
C10E2C +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 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C10E2C +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 C10E2C +AC takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
C10E2C +AC's machinability is fair (42/100, worse than 73% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (98/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C10E2C +AC
Is C10E2C easy to machine?
Gummy and prone to built-up edge in the annealed state — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant; cold-drawn bar machines noticeably better than annealed wire.
Can C10E2C be welded?
Carbon equivalent ≈0.15, so all arc, resistance and projection welding processes work without preheat or post-weld heat treatment.
Can C10E2C be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent multi-blow cold heading and cold extrusion when supplied spheroidized with phosphate/soap or polymer lubricant; keep reductions per station within the wire's RA capability to avoid head cracks.
What surface finishes work on C10E2C?
No natural corrosion protection — specify zinc or zinc-nickel electroplating, mechanical galvanizing, zinc flake (Dacromet/Geomet), phosphate + oil or black oxide; watch hydrogen embrittlement rules only if case hardened.
C10E2C 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 |
| Sirestricted for cold extrusion quality | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| AlAl-killed, fine grain (total Al) | 0.02 – 0.06 | 0.04 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.2 | 0.06 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.25 | 0.06 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Nlimited to avoid strain ageing | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance | — |
C10E2C +AC — frequently asked
What is C10E2C +AC used for?
C10E2C +AC is typically used for cold-headed bolts, rivets, wire products and small precision cold-formed parts. In short: cold-heading special quality; top formability in family; fastener wire and rod grade.
What is the yield strength of C10E2C +AC?
C10E2C +AC has a typical yield strength of 205 MPa (29.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is C10E2C +AC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, worse than 73% of steel grades). Gummy and prone to built-up edge in the annealed state — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant; cold-drawn bar machines noticeably better than annealed wire.
Can C10E2C +AC be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Carbon equivalent ≈0.15, so all arc, resistance and projection welding processes work without preheat or post-weld heat treatment.
What surface finishes work on C10E2C +AC?
No natural corrosion protection — specify zinc or zinc-nickel electroplating, mechanical galvanizing, zinc flake (Dacromet/Geomet), phosphate + oil or black oxide; watch hydrogen embrittlement rules only if case hardened.
Can C10E2C +AC be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent multi-blow cold heading and cold extrusion when supplied spheroidized with phosphate/soap or polymer lubricant; keep reductions per station within the wire's RA capability to avoid head cracks.
What is the maximum service temperature of C10E2C +AC?
C10E2C +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 C10E2C +AC+C and C10E2C-CH?
+AC+C is the default condition — standard cold-heading wire delivery: soft spheroidized core with drawn size accuracy and phosphate/soap coating — default choice for fastener heading. CH: applied to the finished cold-formed part when a hard wear-resistant case (typ. 0.1–0.6 mm) over a tough soft core is needed. Yield strength is 360 MPa in +AC+C versus 360 MPa in CH.
Sources
- EN 10263-2 Steel rod, bars and wire for cold heading and cold extrusion — Part 2: Non heat-treatable steels — CEN (2017)
- EN 10263-1 (general technical delivery conditions) — CEN (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook (machinability ratings, AISI 1212 = 100 %) — Industrial Press (2020)
- Mysteel / SMM — Mysteel / SMM (2025)
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.