Steel C22 StressRelieved
Heat-treated state
EN C22
Use to stabilise cold-drawn or welded parts before finish machining, keeping most cold-work strength.
Values for the StressRelieved condition
Other C22 tempers and conditions
C22 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at C22.
- Annealed
- Normalized
- Carburized
- QT
- StressRelieved
- ColdDrawn
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 | — |
StressRelievedThis page 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 | — |
What is C22 StressRelieved?
C22 StressRelieved is C22 heat treated to StressRelieved — use to stabilise cold-drawn or welded parts before finish machining, keeping most cold-work strength. C22 StressRelieved has a yield strength of 410 MPa (59.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 57% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). C22 StressRelieved 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). Normalized is the default condition FabDigit quotes; StressRelieved is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 68/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% 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
C22 StressRelieved properties
Typical room-temperature values for C22 StressRelieved; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C22 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C22 StressRelieved 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 StressRelieved has a yield strength of 410 MPa (59.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 57% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 16% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C22 StressRelieved is rated for continuous service to 375°C (707 °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 StressRelieved 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 StressRelieved 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 StressRelieved's machinability is good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C22 StressRelieved
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.
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.
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 | — |
C22 StressRelieved — frequently asked
What is C22 StressRelieved used for?
C22 StressRelieved is typically used for general fabrication, brackets and welded plate. In short: european medium-carbon bar.
What is the yield strength of C22 StressRelieved?
C22 StressRelieved has a typical yield strength of 410 MPa (59.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 57% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C22 StressRelieved easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 95% 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 StressRelieved be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). 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 StressRelieved?
No anodizing; protect by zinc/nickel plating, phosphate + oil, blackening or paint — bare surfaces rust within hours in humid air.
Can C22 StressRelieved 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 StressRelieved?
C22 StressRelieved is rated for continuous use to about 375°C (707 °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.
Can FabDigit make parts in C22 StressRelieved?
Yes — C22 StressRelieved 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.