FabDigitFabDigit

Steel C17E2C +N (Normalized)

Heat-treated state

EN C17E2C

Use to refine grain and homogenize forgings before carburizing, giving uniform core properties.

Budget cost $

Values for the +N 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 datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Spheroidize annealed
Softest condition — choose when maximum cold-forming/deep-upsetting capability is needed before drawing.25040030115 HB—
Annealed
General soft delivery condition for machining or moderate forming when full spheroidizing is not required.25541028120 HB10.8 % IACS
Hot rolled
Cheapest starting stock for hot forging, re-drawing or parts that will be normalized/carburized later.26543026125 HB—
+NThis page
Normalized
Use to refine grain and homogenize forgings before carburizing, giving uniform core properties.28544027131 HB10.5 % 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.38048015143 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.4206401260 HRC—
Untreated then cold drawn
Pick for bright, dimensionally accurate bar/wire with higher strength when only light upsetting or straight machining follows.46054011163 HB—

What is C17E2C +N?

C17E2C +N is C17E2C heat treated to +N — use to refine grain and homogenize forgings before carburizing, giving uniform core properties. C17E2C +N has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — weaker than 89% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). C17E2C +N 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; +N is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Forms and bends easily — 88/100, better than 98% of steel grades
  • Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% 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
  • Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Low strength — 285 MPa (41.3 ksi), worse than 89% of steel grades
  • Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades

C17E2C +N properties

Typical room-temperature values for C17E2C +N; 22 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 +N 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,470°C2,678 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,520°C2,768 °F

Mechanical16

C17E2C +N has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — weaker than 89% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)440 MPa63.8 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)285 MPa41.3 ksi
Elongation at Break27%
Reduction in Area62%
Compressive Strength285 MPa41.3 ksi
Shear Strength265 MPa38.4 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)210 MPa30.5 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)115 MPa·√m105 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)90 J66.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell131 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B73 HRB
Hardness, Vickers138 HV

Thermal6

C17E2C +N 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).

Thermal Conductivity50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)11.8 µm/m·K6.6 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)400°C752 °F
Min Service Temperature-30°C-22 °F

Electrical3

C17E2C +N conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity10.5 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.64×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.46 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.61 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended10/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in moist air and water; attacked by acids and chlorides. Reasonably stable in dry air, alkalis and neutral oils; requires zinc plating, phosphating, Dacromet or paint for service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of C17E2C +N takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)1.9 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

C17E2C +N's machinability is fair (54/100, better than 54% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (88/100).

MachinabilityFair54/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)65%
WeldabilityExcellent95/100
Formability (cold)Excellent88/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityVery good80/100
PolishabilityFair45/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use zinc/zinc-nickel plating, phosphating or black oxide instead

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with C17E2C +N

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
C0.14 – 0.20.17
Simax per EN 10263-3≤ 0.30.15
Mn0.3 – 0.60.45
P≤ 0.030.02
S≤ 0.030.02
Curesidual max≤ 0.250.1
Febalance—

C17E2C +N — frequently asked

What is C17E2C +N used for?

C17E2C +N 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 +N?

C17E2C +N has a typical yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 440 MPa (63.8 ksi) — weaker than 89% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is C17E2C +N easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (54/100, better than 54% 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 +N 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 +N?

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 +N 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 +N?

C17E2C +N 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

  1. EN 10263-3 — Steel rod, bars and wire for cold heading and cold extrusion, Part 3: case hardening steels — CEN (2017)
  2. EN 10084 — Case hardening steels, technical delivery conditions — CEN (2008)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. 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.