Steel C15E
EN C15E
C15E is a quality low-carbon (~0.15 % C) non-alloy engineering steel (1.1141, close to AISI 1015 and JIS S15C) with controlled phosphorus and sulphur, used both as delivered and as a base for case hardening.
Reference datasheet — C15E 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
C15E tempers and conditions
C15E is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. +N 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot rolled | Cheapest bar/plate condition for non-critical welded structures and parts that will be heat treated later. | 230 | 380 | 28 | 111 HB | — |
Annealed | Choose for maximum cold formability — deep drawing, cold heading, severe upsetting before carburizing. | 285 | 385 | 37 | 111 HB | — |
+NDefault Normalized | Standard stocked bar condition: uniform fine grain, good toughness and machining behaviour before carburizing or welding. | 325 | 425 | 35 | 121 HB | — |
Stress relieved | Use when drawn bar must stay straight after heavy asymmetric machining or subsequent heat treatment. | 330 | 410 | 21 | 120 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Cold rolled sheet/strip | Sheet-metal condition for stamped, bent and welded parts needing a smooth surface ready for plating or paint. | 350 | 450 | 20 | 130 HB | 10.7 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick for close tolerance, straight bright bar with higher yield strength and better chip control than hot rolled. | 355 | 420 | 18 | 126 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Only worthwhile on sections below ~16 mm where water quenching gives a partly martensitic, higher-strength core. | 420 | 650 | 17 | 20 HRC | — |
Carburized and hardened | The main reason to buy C15E: a hard 0.3–1.2 mm wear-resistant case (58–62 HRC) on a tough, still-ductile core. | 450 | 700 | 15 | 60 HRC | — |
What is C15E?
C15E is a quality low-carbon (~0.15 % C) non-alloy engineering steel (1.1141, close to AISI 1015 and JIS S15C) with controlled phosphorus and sulphur, used both as delivered and as a base for case hardening. Engineers specify it for lightly stressed machine parts, fasteners and shafts, in hot-rolled, annealed, normalized, cold-drawn, stress-relieved and Q&T bar, wire and plate (+AR, +A, +N, +C, +SR, +CR, +QT). Typical values are 325 MPa yield, 425 MPa tensile, 35 % elongation and 121 HB, with a weldability score of 95 and formability of 90. It has no corrosion resistance and machines poorly when soft; C15R is the resulphurised alternative for higher metal-removal rates. C15E has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F). C15E has a yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) — weaker than 80% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is C15E used for?
- Shafts
- Bolts
- Case-hardened components
- General machine parts
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 98% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 35%, better than 97% 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
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 325 MPa (47.1 ksi), worse than 80% of steel grades
C15E properties
Typical room-temperature values for C15E-+N; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C15E has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F).
Mechanical16
C15E has a yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) — weaker than 80% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
C15E is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C15E 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 C15E takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
C15E's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% 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. C15E is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C15E
Is C15E easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and chip breakers; normalizing or cold drawing improves finish, and C15R (resulphurised) machines noticeably better.
Can C15E be welded?
Excellent weldability by MIG/TIG/MMA/spot with ER70S-type filler; CEV ≈ 0.25 so no preheat or PWHT is needed except on very thick sections, but carburized parts should not be welded.
Can C15E be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — deep drawing, bending to tight radii, cold heading and roll forming; hot forge at 1100–850 °C followed by normalizing.
C15E 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 | 0.12 – 0.17 | 0.15 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| SC15R variant is resulphurised 0.020–0.040 | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Moresidual; Cr+Mo+Ni ≤ 0.63 | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on C15E?
No corrosion resistance of its own: specify zinc/nickel plating, phosphate + oil, black oxide or paint; takes a fair polish but ferrite scratches easily.
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 C15E in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does C15E cost?
C15E 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.
C15E — frequently asked
What is C15E used for?
C15E is typically used for shafts, bolts, case-hardened components and general machine parts. In short: excellent weldability, CEV ≈ 0.25; clean-steel case-hardening base; very high cold formability.
What is the yield strength of C15E?
C15E has a typical yield strength of 325 MPa (47.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 425 MPa (61.6 ksi) — weaker than 80% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C15E easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and chip breakers; normalizing or cold drawing improves finish, and C15R (resulphurised) machines noticeably better.
Can C15E be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability by MIG/TIG/MMA/spot with ER70S-type filler; CEV ≈ 0.25 so no preheat or PWHT is needed except on very thick sections, but carburized parts should not be welded.
What surface finishes work on C15E?
No corrosion resistance of its own: specify zinc/nickel plating, phosphate + oil, black oxide or paint; takes a fair polish but ferrite scratches easily.
Can C15E be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — deep drawing, bending to tight radii, cold heading and roll forming; hot forge at 1100–850 °C followed by normalizing.
What is the maximum service temperature of C15E?
C15E is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C15E +N and C15E-CH?
+N is the default condition — standard stocked bar condition: uniform fine grain, good toughness and machining behaviour before carburizing or welding. CH: the main reason to buy C15E: a hard 0.3–1.2 mm wear-resistant case (58–62 HRC) on a tough, still-ductile core. Yield strength is 325 MPa in +N versus 450 MPa in CH.
How much does C15E cost?
C15E 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 10083-2 — Steels for quenching and tempering: non-alloy steels — CEN (2006)
- JIS G 4051 — Carbon steels for machine structural use (S15C) — JSA (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys (AISI 1015) — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4 — Heat Treating (carburizing) — ASM International (1991)
- Mysteel / 1688 (2025)
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.