Steel C20E2C
EN C20E2C
C20E2C is a low-carbon (~0.20 % C) non-alloy carburizing steel (1.1152, Ck20, close to AISI 1020) graded for controlled hardenability and supplied in the 2C cold-forming quality.
Reference datasheet — C20E2C 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 +U condition
C20E2C tempers and conditions
C20E2C is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. +U 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 | Pick when maximum cold formability is needed before drawing, cold heading or extrusion. | 235 | 390 | 32 | 115 HB | — |
+UDefault Hot rolled | Cheapest stock condition for bar that will be machined, then carburized and hardened. | 250 | 420 | 28 | 116 HB | — |
Normalized | Pick to refine grain and give uniform ferrite-pearlite before machining/carburizing of forged parts. | 285 | 440 | 27 | 126 HB | — |
Spheroidize annealed then cold drawn | Standard cold-heading wire/bar condition: bright tolerance plus retained ductility for upsetting. | 380 | 470 | 18 | 132 HB | — |
Hot rolled and cold drawn | Pick for close-tolerance bright bar with higher strength and better chip control on automatics. | 420 | 520 | 14 | 143 HB | — |
Carburized and hardened | Final service condition: hard wear-resistant case (0.3–1.2 mm) over a tough low-strength core. | 420 | 620 | 12 | 60 HRC | — |
What is C20E2C?
C20E2C is a low-carbon (~0.20 % C) non-alloy carburizing steel (1.1152, Ck20, close to AISI 1020) graded for controlled hardenability and supplied in the 2C cold-forming quality. It suits surface-hardened wear parts produced by cold heading or upsetting, available as +U, +U+C, +AC, +AC+C and +N bar and wire. Untreated core properties are low — 250 MPa yield, 420 MPa tensile, 28 % elongation and 116 HB — so wear and contact fatigue performance comes from the carburized case. Bare steel has no corrosion resistance and welding after carburizing is not permitted; C17E2C is the nearest lower-carbon option for the same process route. C20E2C has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). C20E2C has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is C20E2C used for?
- gears
- cams
- pins
- case-hardened fasteners
Advantages
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 140 MPa·√m (127.4 ksi·√in), better than 94% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 82/100, better than 94% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), worse than 94% of steel grades
C20E2C properties
Typical room-temperature values for C20E2C-+U; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C20E2C has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
C20E2C has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
C20E2C is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51.9 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 96% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C20E2C 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 C20E2C 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
C20E2C's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability very good (82/100).
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. C20E2C is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C20E2C
Is C20E2C easy to machine?
Machines easily but is gummy when annealed — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant; normalized or cold-drawn stock gives the cleanest chips and best finish.
Can C20E2C be welded?
Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes with no preheat in thin sections; do not weld after carburizing.
Can C20E2C be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — deep drawing, bending and cold heading are routine in +AC or +AC+C; hot forge 1100–1200 °C, then normalize.
C20E2C 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Crestricted range for controlled hardenability | 0.17 – 0.23 | 0.2 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Slow-S variants used for cold heading | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.4 | 0.15 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.4 | 0.15 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.4 | 0.2 |
| Moresidual; Cr+Ni+Mo commonly limited to ≤0.63 | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on C20E2C?
No anodizing; protect by zinc/nickel plating, phosphate + oil, black oxide or paint — bare surfaces rust quickly, and carburized parts should be plated only with low-hydrogen processes plus baking.
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 C20E2C in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.1152
- Similar grades
- Ck20102020
How much does C20E2C cost?
C20E2C 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.
C20E2C — frequently asked
What is C20E2C used for?
C20E2C is typically used for gears, cams, pins and case-hardened fasteners. In short: controlled-hardenability carburizing grade; cold-heading quality wire and bar; hard case, ductile core.
What is the yield strength of C20E2C?
C20E2C has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C20E2C easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines easily but is gummy when annealed — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant; normalized or cold-drawn stock gives the cleanest chips and best finish.
Can C20E2C be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability by all arc, resistance and gas processes with no preheat in thin sections; do not weld after carburizing.
What surface finishes work on C20E2C?
No anodizing; protect by zinc/nickel plating, phosphate + oil, black oxide or paint — bare surfaces rust quickly, and carburized parts should be plated only with low-hydrogen processes plus baking.
Can C20E2C be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — deep drawing, bending and cold heading are routine in +AC or +AC+C; hot forge 1100–1200 °C, then normalize.
What is the maximum service temperature of C20E2C?
C20E2C 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 C20E2C +U and C20E2C-CH?
+U is the default condition — cheapest stock condition for bar that will be machined, then carburized and hardened. CH: final service condition: hard wear-resistant case (0.3–1.2 mm) over a tough low-strength core. Yield strength is 250 MPa in +U versus 420 MPa in CH.
How much does C20E2C cost?
C20E2C 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 10263-3/-4 — Steel rod, bars and wire for cold heading and cold extrusion — CEN (2017)
- GB/T 699 — Quality carbon structural steels (20 ) — SAC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.4A/4D — Steel Heat Treating / Carburizing — ASM International (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining (machinability ratings) — ASM International (1989)
- Mysteel / SMM · (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.