Steel C17E2C +AC (Spheroidize annealed)
Heat-treated state
EN C17E2C
Softest condition — choose when maximum cold-forming/deep-upsetting capability is needed before drawing.
Values for the +AC condition
Other C17E2C tempers and conditions
C17E2C is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at C17E2C.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+ACThis page Spheroidize annealed | Softest condition — choose when maximum cold-forming/deep-upsetting capability is needed before drawing. | 250 | 400 | 30 | 115 HB | — |
Annealed | General soft delivery condition for machining or moderate forming when full spheroidizing is not required. | 255 | 410 | 28 | 120 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Cheapest starting stock for hot forging, re-drawing or parts that will be normalized/carburized later. | 265 | 430 | 26 | 125 HB | — |
Normalized | Use to refine grain and homogenize forgings before carburizing, giving uniform core properties. | 285 | 440 | 27 | 131 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
+AC+CDefault Spheroidize annealed and cold drawn | Standard cold-heading / cold-extrusion wire and bar: bright surface, tight tolerance, still enough ductility for multi-station upsetting. | 380 | 480 | 15 | 143 HB | — |
Carburized and hardened | Final service condition for pins, bushings, small gears and fasteners needing a 58–62 HRC wear surface with a tough ~150–200 HB core. | 420 | 640 | 12 | 60 HRC | — |
Untreated then cold drawn | Pick for bright, dimensionally accurate bar/wire with higher strength when only light upsetting or straight machining follows. | 460 | 540 | 11 | 163 HB | — |
What is C17E2C +AC?
C17E2C +AC is C17E2C heat treated to +AC — softest condition — choose when maximum cold-forming/deep-upsetting capability is needed before drawing. C17E2C +AC has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi). C17E2C +AC has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,470°C (2,678 °F). +AC+C is the default condition FabDigit quotes; +AC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 97/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 93% 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
- Low strength — 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), worse than 94% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
C17E2C +AC properties
Typical room-temperature values for C17E2C +AC; 14 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C17E2C reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C17E2C +AC has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,470°C (2,678 °F).
Mechanical16
C17E2C +AC has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
C17E2C +AC is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C17E2C +AC 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 C17E2C +AC takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
C17E2C +AC's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (97/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C17E2C +AC
Is C17E2C easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed and generous coolant; cold-drawn condition machines best (~70% of 1212), chip breaking is the main issue.
Can C17E2C be welded?
Excellent weldability by MIG/TIG/spot/projection with ER70S-type filler; CEV ≈ 0.26 so no preheat for normal sections, but carburized parts should not be welded.
Can C17E2C be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for severe cold heading, upsetting and cold extrusion in +AC or +AC+C with phosphate + soap or polymer lubricant; hot forge 1100–1250 °C.
What surface finishes work on C17E2C?
No corrosion resistance bare — specify zinc or zinc-nickel electroplating (with bake for hydrogen embrittlement relief), phosphate, black oxide, Dacromet or paint; surface can be case hardened for wear.
C17E2C 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 | 0.14 – 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Simax per EN 10263-3 | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Mn | 0.3 – 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Curesidual max | ≤ 0.25 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance | — |
C17E2C +AC — frequently asked
What is C17E2C +AC used for?
C17E2C +AC is typically used for small gears, pins, case-hardened shafts and chain components. In short: built for severe cold heading; carburizing quality, tough core; very high weldability score.
What is the yield strength of C17E2C +AC?
C17E2C +AC has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is C17E2C +AC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed and generous coolant; cold-drawn condition machines best (~70% of 1212), chip breaking is the main issue.
Can C17E2C +AC be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability by MIG/TIG/spot/projection with ER70S-type filler; CEV ≈ 0.26 so no preheat for normal sections, but carburized parts should not be welded.
What surface finishes work on C17E2C +AC?
No corrosion resistance bare — specify zinc or zinc-nickel electroplating (with bake for hydrogen embrittlement relief), phosphate, black oxide, Dacromet or paint; surface can be case hardened for wear.
Can C17E2C +AC be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for severe cold heading, upsetting and cold extrusion in +AC or +AC+C with phosphate + soap or polymer lubricant; hot forge 1100–1250 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of C17E2C +AC?
C17E2C +AC 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 C17E2C +AC+C and C17E2C-CH?
+AC+C is the default condition — standard cold-heading / cold-extrusion wire and bar: bright surface, tight tolerance, still enough ductility for multi-station upsetting. CH: final service condition for pins, bushings, small gears and fasteners needing a 58–62 HRC wear surface with a tough ~150–200 HB core. Yield strength is 380 MPa in +AC+C versus 420 MPa in CH.
Sources
- EN 10263-3 — Steel rod, bars and wire for cold heading and cold extrusion, Part 3: case hardening steels — CEN (2017)
- EN 10084 — Case hardening steels, technical delivery conditions — CEN (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Stahlschlüssel / Key to Steel — material 1.1147 (C17E2C) — Verlag Stahlschlüssel Wegst (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.