Steel C17C
EN 1.0434
C17C is a low-carbon case-hardening steel intended for cold heading (1.0434, AISI 1017, JIS S17C), available untreated, normalized, spheroidize-annealed, cold-drawn and carburized.
Reference datasheet — C17C 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 +C condition
C17C tempers and conditions
C17C is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. +C is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Softest condition, chosen for severe cold heading, deep upsetting and cold extrusion of fasteners before case hardening. | 240 | 400 | 32 | 115 HB | — |
Normalized | Use when a uniform fine ferrite-pearlite structure and consistent core properties are needed before carburizing or welding. | 260 | 420 | 28 | 120 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest as-rolled wire rod or bar for parts that will be re-annealed, hot formed or carburized after machining. | 270 | 430 | 27 | 126 HB | — |
Spheroidize annealed then cold drawn | Preferred cold-heading wire: soft spheroidized core with a lightly drawn, size-controlled bright surface for multi-station headers. | 380 | 480 | 16 | 140 HB | — |
+CDefault Cold drawn | Standard stocked bar/wire: tight tolerance, bright surface and raised strength for machined pins, shafts and studs. | 450 | 550 | 12 | 160 HB | — |
Carburized, quenched and low-temperature tempered (case hardened) | Final service condition for pins, bushings and light gears needing a wear-resistant case over a tough, low-carbon core. | 480 | 700 | 15 | 60 HRC | — |
What is C17C?
C17C is a low-carbon case-hardening steel intended for cold heading (1.0434, AISI 1017, JIS S17C), available untreated, normalized, spheroidize-annealed, cold-drawn and carburized. Its soft, tough core with a hardened carburized case suits lightly loaded gears, pins and bushings, while the +AC and +AC+C conditions are made for severe cold forming; default data are 450 MPa yield, 550 MPa tensile, 12 % elongation and 160 HB (83 HRB). Weldability is very high, but machinability is the weak point (score 55), service is limited to about 300 °C and the steel has no corrosion resistance. For deeper, more heavily loaded cases choose 16MnCr5. C17C 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). C17C has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is C17C used for?
- small gears
- pins
- bushings
- light-duty shafts
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 11 % IACS, 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
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 86% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
C17C properties
Typical room-temperature values for C17C-+C; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C17C 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
C17C has a yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
C17C is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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
C17C conducts electricity at 11 % IACS, better than 98% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C17C takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
C17C's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability very good (70/100).
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. C17C is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C17C
Is C17C easy to machine?
Gummy and prone to built-up edge when annealed — use cold-drawn stock, positive rake, high speed and generous coolant; expect ~70 % of 1212 in the +C condition.
Can C17C be welded?
Excellent weldability by MIG/TIG/MMA/resistance with no preheat below ~25 mm; use ER70S-6 class filler and re-carburize or re-heat-treat afterwards if a case is required.
Can C17C be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for severe cold heading, upsetting and extrusion in the +AC or +AC+C condition; hot forming 850–1150 °C, normalize afterwards for uniform core properties.
C17C 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 10263-3 C17C; AISI 1017 0.15–0.20; GB 15 steel 0.12–0.19 | 0.14 – 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Sioften ≤0.10 for cold-heading (Al-killed) wire | ≤ 0.3 | 0.2 |
| MnAISI 1017 0.30–0.60; EN cold-heading grade toward upper range | 0.5 – 0.9 | 0.7 |
| P≤0.040 in AISI 1017 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S≤0.050 in AISI 1017 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Alaluminium-killed, fine grain | 0.02 – 0.06 | 0.04 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on C17C?
No corrosion resistance of its own — zinc plate, zinc-nickel, phosphate-and-oil, or paint; takes a fine but easily rusting polish, and carburized surfaces should be ground after heat treatment.
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 C17C in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does C17C cost?
C17C is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
C17C — frequently asked
What is C17C used for?
C17C is typically used for small gears, pins, bushings and light-duty shafts. In short: highest weldability carbon steel; severe cold-heading grade; soft tough carburizing core.
What is the yield strength of C17C?
C17C has a typical yield strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 550 MPa (79.8 ksi) — stronger than 52% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C17C easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Gummy and prone to built-up edge when annealed — use cold-drawn stock, positive rake, high speed and generous coolant; expect ~70 % of 1212 in the +C condition.
Can C17C be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent weldability by MIG/TIG/MMA/resistance with no preheat below ~25 mm; use ER70S-6 class filler and re-carburize or re-heat-treat afterwards if a case is required.
What surface finishes work on C17C?
No corrosion resistance of its own — zinc plate, zinc-nickel, phosphate-and-oil, or paint; takes a fine but easily rusting polish, and carburized surfaces should be ground after heat treatment.
Can C17C be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for severe cold heading, upsetting and extrusion in the +AC or +AC+C condition; hot forming 850–1150 °C, normalize afterwards for uniform core properties.
What is the maximum service temperature of C17C?
C17C is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does C17C cost?
C17C is a budget-cost steel ($), 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 10263-3 Steel rod, bars and wire for cold heading and cold extrusion — Case hardening steels — CEN (2017)
- EN 10084 Case hardening steels — Technical delivery conditions — CEN (2008)
- GB/T 699 (15 steel) — SAC (2015)
- SAE J403 / ASTM A29 carbon steel grade 1017 — SAE / ASTM (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining — ASM International (1989)
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.