Steel C15C
EN 1.0234
C15C is a low-carbon non-alloy steel of about 0.12–0.18 % C to EN 10263 (1.0234, equivalent to Ck15, 1015 and 15), supplied for cold heading and cold extrusion.
Reference datasheet — C15C 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 +AC+C condition
C15C tempers and conditions
C15C is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. +AC+C is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Softest, most formable condition — choose for severe multi-station cold heading or deep cold extrusion. | 230 | 390 | 33 | 110 HB | — |
Annealed | General soft-annealed rod/bar for moderate forming or machining when full spheroidization is not required. | 240 | 400 | 31 | 115 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Base hot-rolled coil/rod supplied for further drawing or light upsetting; lowest cost condition. | 260 | 420 | 28 | 120 HB | — |
Normalized | Normalized bar/forging condition giving a uniform fine ferrite-pearlite structure before machining or case hardening. | 275 | 430 | 27 | 126 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
Light cold drawn | Small drawing reduction for size and surface only — keeps near-annealed ductility for heavy heading. | 300 | 420 | 22 | 125 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
+AC+CDefault Spheroidize annealed then cold drawn to size | Standard cold-heading wire condition: drawn to tolerance and surface finish while keeping spheroidized, headable structure. | 360 | 450 | 14 | 135 HB | — |
Untreated then cold drawn | Drawn straight from hot-rolled rod: highest as-drawn strength, lowest ductility — for light upsetting, pins and shafts. | 460 | 540 | 10 | 160 HB | — |
carburized/carbonitrided, quenched and low-temperature tempered | For headed parts needing a hard wear surface (self-tapping screws, pins) over a tough, low-strength core. | 480 | 700 | 12 | 60 HRC | — |
What is C15C?
C15C is a low-carbon non-alloy steel of about 0.12–0.18 % C to EN 10263 (1.0234, equivalent to Ck15, 1015 and 15), supplied for cold heading and cold extrusion. It carries slightly more strength than C10C while keeping high formability (score 88), and is stocked as wire, rod and coil, with roughly 360 MPa yield, 450 MPa tensile, 14 % elongation, 135 HB and 74 HRB in the cold-worked default state. It can be case-hardened for wear surfaces, but has no corrosion resistance bare and machinability is only fair (score 58). C10C is the alternative for the most severe upset ratios. C15C has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,465°C (2,669 °F). C15C has a yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 72% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is C15C used for?
- cold-formed fasteners
- screws and pins
- cold-extruded machine parts
- wire products
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 88/100, better than 98% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 75% of steel grades
C15C properties
Typical room-temperature values for C15C-+AC+C; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C15C has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,465°C (2,669 °F).
Mechanical16
C15C has a yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 72% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
C15C 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
C15C conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C15C takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
C15C's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability excellent (88/100).
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. C15C is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C15C
Is C15C easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge; cold-drawn or normalized condition machines better than fully spheroidized.
Can C15C be welded?
Excellent weldability (CEV ≈ 0.25); MIG/TIG/resistance/projection welding with no preheat in normal sections, ER70S-type filler.
Can C15C be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for multi-station cold heading and cold extrusion in +AC or +AC+C condition with phosphate + soap or polymer lubricant; interstage anneal only for very severe upset ratios.
C15C 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 cast analysis | 0.12 – 0.18 | 0.15 |
| Silow-Si versions (≤0.10) available for wire drawing/plating | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Curesidual limit | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on C15C?
No corrosion resistance of its own — zinc/zinc-nickel electroplate (with baking to avoid hydrogen embrittlement), zinc-flake coating, black oxide or phosphate + oil; takes plating and paint readily.
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 C15C in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does C15C cost?
C15C is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
C15C — frequently asked
What is C15C used for?
C15C is typically used for cold-formed fasteners, screws and pins, cold-extruded machine parts and wire products. In short: stronger cold-heading grade; case-hardenable fastener steel; formability score 88.
What is the yield strength of C15C?
C15C has a typical yield strength of 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 72% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C15C easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge; cold-drawn or normalized condition machines better than fully spheroidized.
Can C15C be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent weldability (CEV ≈ 0.25); MIG/TIG/resistance/projection welding with no preheat in normal sections, ER70S-type filler.
What surface finishes work on C15C?
No corrosion resistance of its own — zinc/zinc-nickel electroplate (with baking to avoid hydrogen embrittlement), zinc-flake coating, black oxide or phosphate + oil; takes plating and paint readily.
Can C15C be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for multi-station cold heading and cold extrusion in +AC or +AC+C condition with phosphate + soap or polymer lubricant; interstage anneal only for very severe upset ratios.
What is the maximum service temperature of C15C?
C15C is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does C15C cost?
C15C is a budget-cost steel ($), 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 10263-2: Steel rod, bars and wire for cold heading and cold extrusion — non heat-treatable steels — CEN (2017)
- EN 10263-4 (case hardening steels for cold heading) — CEN (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
- Cold heading wire grade datasheets (C10C/C15C) — European and Chinese wire rod producers (2023)
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.