Steel C15E2C Carburized+QT
Heat-treated state
EN C15E2C
Carburized+QT = case hardened
Final in-service condition of cold-headed parts: hard wear-resistant case over a soft ductile low-carbon core.
Values for the Carburized+QT condition
Other C15E2C tempers and conditions
C15E2C is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at C15E2C.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Pick when maximum cold-upsetting ductility is needed before drawing or severe extrusion. | 250 | 390 | 30 | 112 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Pick as the mill starting stock for drawing, spheroidizing or direct light upsetting. | 270 | 440 | 28 | 120 HB | — |
+AC+CDefault Spheroidize annealed and cold drawn | Standard fastener-shop feedstock: soft spheroidized structure with drawn size/surface for multi-station cold heading before carburising. | 380 | 470 | 12 | 140 HB | — |
Cold drawn from untreated hot-rolled stock | Pick for straight bright bar/wire where higher as-drawn strength and size accuracy matter more than upsetting ductility. | 450 | 550 | 12 | 160 HB | — |
Carburized+QTThis page Case hardened | Final in-service condition of cold-headed parts: hard wear-resistant case over a soft ductile low-carbon core. | 480 | 700 | 12 | 60 HRC | — |
What is C15E2C Carburized+QT?
C15E2C Carburized+QT is C15E2C heat treated to Carburized+QT — final in-service condition of cold-headed parts: hard wear-resistant case over a soft ductile low-carbon core. C15E2C Carburized+QT has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 59% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). C15E2C Carburized+QT 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). +AC+C is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Carburized+QT is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- 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
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited formability — 5/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
C15E2C Carburized+QT properties
Typical room-temperature values for C15E2C Carburized+QT; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C15E2C reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C15E2C Carburized+QT 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).
Mechanical14
C15E2C Carburized+QT has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 59% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
C15E2C Carburized+QT is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °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
C15E2C Carburized+QT 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 C15E2C Carburized+QT takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
C15E2C Carburized+QT's machinability is poor (15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades); weldability poor (30/100); formability not recommended (5/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C15E2C Carburized+QT
Is C15E2C easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge; cold-drawn condition machines better than spheroidized.
Can C15E2C be welded?
Excellent weldability by all common processes (CEV ≈ 0.25); no preheat or post-weld heat treatment for normal sections, but avoid welding after carburising.
Can C15E2C be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for multi-station cold heading and cold extrusion with high upset ratios; phosphate+soap or polymer lubricant coating on +AC wire gives best die life.
What surface finishes work on C15E2C?
Not anodizable; protect with zinc or zinc-nickel electroplate (with baking to avoid H embrittlement on case-hardened parts), zinc-flake coatings, phosphate+oil or black oxide.
C15E2C 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 – 0.18 | 0.15 |
| Silow-Si (≤0.10) versions ordered for severe cold extrusion | ≤ 0.3 | 0.12 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Smax; 'E' = controlled low sulfur | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Algrain-refining, Al-killed fine grain | 0.02 – 0.06 | 0.04 |
| Fe | balance | — |
C15E2C Carburized+QT — frequently asked
What is C15E2C Carburized+QT used for?
C15E2C Carburized+QT is typically used for cold-headed screws, case-hardened pins, wire products and small precision shafts. In short: case-hardening cold-heading grade; harder case than C10E2C; fastener wire quality.
What is the yield strength of C15E2C Carburized+QT?
C15E2C Carburized+QT has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 59% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is C15E2C Carburized+QT easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (15/100, worse than 98% of steel grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge; cold-drawn condition machines better than spheroidized.
Can C15E2C Carburized+QT be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (30/100). Excellent weldability by all common processes (CEV ≈ 0.25); no preheat or post-weld heat treatment for normal sections, but avoid welding after carburising.
What surface finishes work on C15E2C Carburized+QT?
Not anodizable; protect with zinc or zinc-nickel electroplate (with baking to avoid H embrittlement on case-hardened parts), zinc-flake coatings, phosphate+oil or black oxide.
Can C15E2C Carburized+QT be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for multi-station cold heading and cold extrusion with high upset ratios; phosphate+soap or polymer lubricant coating on +AC wire gives best die life.
What is the maximum service temperature of C15E2C Carburized+QT?
C15E2C Carburized+QT is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- EN 10263-4: Steel rod, bars and wire for cold heading and cold extrusion — Steels for quenching and tempering / case hardening — CEN (2018)
- EN 10263-1: General technical delivery conditions (delivery conditions +U, +AC, +C) — CEN (2018)
- EN 10084: Case hardening steels — Technical delivery conditions — CEN (2008)
- GB/T 6478 / GB/T 699 (ML15, 15 ) — SAC (2015)
- 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 quality wire rod datasheets (C15E2C / 1.1132) — European & Asian wire-rod producers (2023)
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.