Steel C22
EN C22
C22 (1.0402, 1022, S22C) is a plain carbon engineering steel of the EN 10083 family, strengthened only by carbon and stocked normalized, annealed, hot-rolled, cold-drawn, quenched-and-tempered, carburized or stress-relieved.
Values for the Normalized condition
C22 tempers and conditions
C22 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. Normalized 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
soft annealed (spheroidize/full anneal) | Pick for maximum cold formability, deep drawing or before heavy machining/cold heading. | 235 | 450 | 30 | 125 HB | — |
NormalizedDefault normalized (default stock condition) | Standard supply condition: uniform fine grain, balanced strength/toughness for general machined and welded parts. | 285 | 490 | 26 | 140 HB | — |
carburized, quenched and low-temperature tempered | Pick when a wear-resistant hard case over a tough low-carbon core is needed (bushings, small gears, pins); normally ordered as C22E. | 340 | 550 | 15 | 58 HRC | 9 % IACS |
Quenched and tempered | Use for small shafts, pins and bolts needing higher yield with good toughness; only thin sections respond fully. | 375 | 570 | 22 | 175 HB | — |
stress relieved (after cold drawing or welding) | Use to stabilise cold-drawn or welded parts before finish machining, keeping most cold-work strength. | 410 | 540 | 16 | 165 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
cold drawn / bright bar | Choose for close tolerance, bright surface bar and better chip control on automatic machines; ductility is reduced. | 460 | 580 | 12 | 175 HB | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways C22 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
HotRolled | +U / hot rolled, untreated | Surface finish |
What is C22?
C22 (1.0402, 1022, S22C) is a plain carbon engineering steel of the EN 10083 family, strengthened only by carbon and stocked normalized, annealed, hot-rolled, cold-drawn, quenched-and-tempered, carburized or stress-relieved. Normalized bar gives 285 MPa yield, 490 MPa tensile, 26 % elongation and about 140 HB (76 HRB), with weldability rated 92 and formability 80, so it suits shafts, bolts and general machine parts in bar, plate and sheet. The low carbon content limits through-hardening — surface hardness comes from carburizing — and there is no corrosion resistance; C45 is the usual step up in strength. C22 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,490°C (2,714 °F). C22 has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 89% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is C22 used for?
- General fabrication
- Brackets
- Welded plate
Advantages
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 62/100, 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
C22 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C22-Normalized; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C22 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,490°C (2,714 °F).
Mechanical16
C22 has a yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 89% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C22 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 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C22 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 C22 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
C22's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability very good (80/100).
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. C22 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C22
Is C22 easy to machine?
Machines easily but is gummy in the annealed state — run normalized or cold-drawn stock, use positive-rake tools, high speed and good coolant to avoid built-up edge.
Can C22 be welded?
Excellent weldability by MMA/MIG/TIG/spot with ER70S-type filler; CEV ≈ 0.35 so no preheat is needed below ~30 mm section.
Can C22 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — bending, deep drawing, cold heading and hot forging (1100–1250 °C) all straightforward; anneal between heavy draws.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to C22. Every C22 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better62 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent80 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent92 / 100 |
C22 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 10083-2 | 0.17 – 0.24 | 0.22 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| PC22E ≤0.030 | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| SC22E ≤0.035; C22R 0.020–0.040 | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.4 | 0.1 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.4 | 0.1 |
| Moresidual; Cr+Mo+Ni ≤ 0.63 | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on C22?
No anodizing; protect by zinc/nickel plating, phosphate + oil, blackening or paint — bare surfaces rust within hours in humid air.
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).
Plating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel C22 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.0402
- Similar grades
- 102222S22C
How much does C22 cost?
C22 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 100% 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.
C22 — frequently asked
What is C22 used for?
C22 is typically used for general fabrication, brackets and welded plate. In short: european medium-carbon bar.
What is the yield strength of C22?
C22 has a typical yield strength of 285 MPa (41.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 89% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C22 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Machines easily but is gummy in the annealed state — run normalized or cold-drawn stock, use positive-rake tools, high speed and good coolant to avoid built-up edge.
Can C22 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent weldability by MMA/MIG/TIG/spot with ER70S-type filler; CEV ≈ 0.35 so no preheat is needed below ~30 mm section.
What surface finishes work on C22?
No anodizing; protect by zinc/nickel plating, phosphate + oil, blackening or paint — bare surfaces rust within hours in humid air.
Can C22 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — bending, deep drawing, cold heading and hot forging (1100–1250 °C) all straightforward; anneal between heavy draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of C22?
C22 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 C22 Normalized and C22-QT?
Normalized is the default condition — standard supply condition: uniform fine grain, balanced strength/toughness for general machined and welded parts. QT: use for small shafts, pins and bolts needing higher yield with good toughness; only thin sections respond fully. Yield strength is 285 MPa in Normalized versus 375 MPa in QT.
How much does C22 cost?
C22 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 100% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in C22?
Yes — C22 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 10083-2 Steels for quenching and tempering — Non-alloy steels — CEN (2006)
- EN 10084 Case hardening steels (C22E) — CEN (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook, machinability ratings — Industrial Press (2020)
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.