Steel C22E
EN C22E
C22E is a low-carbon (~0.22 % C) non-alloy quality steel (1.1151, Ck22, close to AISI 1022) that can be through-hardened by quench and temper or surface-hardened for light-duty parts.
Reference datasheet — C22E 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 +N condition
C22E tempers and conditions
C22E is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. +N 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Pick for maximum cold formability (deep drawing, heading, cold extrusion) or before heavy machining of hardened stock. | 250 | 430 | 30 | 120 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest mill condition for weldments, brackets and parts that will be heat treated or fully machined afterwards. | 280 | 460 | 27 | 130 HB | — |
+NDefault Normalized | Default stocked condition — uniform fine grain, balanced strength/toughness and the best all-round machining and welding behaviour. | 290 | 500 | 26 | 140 HB | — |
Carburized and hardened | Pick when a wear-resistant hard case (~0.3–1.2 mm, 700–800 HV) over a tough, low-strength core is needed — pins, bushings, light gears and shafts. | 350 | 550 | 14 | 60 HRC | — |
Quenched and tempered | Pick for the highest yield strength and best strength/toughness combination on small sections (≤16–40 mm); hardenability is very low, so heavy sections gain little. | 370 | 560 | 23 | 170 HB | 49 W/m·K |
Cold drawn | Pick for close tolerance bright bar with higher yield strength and good chip control on automatic lathes; ductility and formability are reduced. | 470 | 590 | 12 | 180 HB | — |
What is C22E?
C22E is a low-carbon (~0.22 % C) non-alloy quality steel (1.1151, Ck22, close to AISI 1022) that can be through-hardened by quench and temper or surface-hardened for light-duty parts. It is used for bolts, shafts and general machine components where 290 MPa yield, 500 MPa tensile, 26 % elongation and 140 HB are sufficient, and is stocked as annealed, normalized, cold-drawn, as-rolled and Q&T bar. Weldability is good (CEV ≈ 0.35) and machinability rates about 70, but the practical service limit is around 400 °C and corrosion resistance is essentially nil (score 10), so coating is mandatory. Step up to C25E when higher strength is needed. C22E 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). C22E has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is C22E used for?
- bolts
- shafts
- light-duty machine parts
- case-hardened components
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 70/100, better than 96% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 78/100, better than 91% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 290 MPa (42.1 ksi), worse than 88% of steel grades
C22E properties
Typical room-temperature values for C22E-+N; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C22E 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
C22E has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C22E is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C22E 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 C22E takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
C22E's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 96% of steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability very good (78/100).
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. C22E is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C22E
Is C22E easy to machine?
Machines easily but is gummy when annealed — normalized or cold-drawn stock, sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant give the cleanest finish and best chip breaking.
Can C22E be welded?
Excellent weldability by MIG/TIG/SMAW/RSW with ER70S-6 or E7018 filler; carbon equivalent ≈0.35 means no preheat below ~25 mm and no post-weld heat treatment for most work.
Can C22E be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in +A/+N — bending, deep drawing, cold heading and roll forming are routine; hot form at 850–1150 °C, normalize at 880–920 °C after heavy hot work.
C22E 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 | 0.17 – 0.24 | 0.22 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.4 – 0.7 | 0.55 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| SC22R variant is controlled to 0.020–0.040 S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.4 | 0.1 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.4 | 0.1 |
| Moresidual; Cr+Mo+Ni ≤ 0.63 | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Curesidual, typical mill practice | ≤ 0.4 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on C22E?
Not anodizable; protect with zinc or zinc–nickel plating, hot-dip galvanising, phosphate+oil, black oxide or paint — bare surfaces rust within days 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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel C22E in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.1151
- Similar grades
- Ck22102220
How much does C22E cost?
C22E 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.
C22E — frequently asked
What is C22E used for?
C22E is typically used for bolts, shafts, light-duty machine parts and case-hardened components. In short: good machining for low-carbon steel; weldable and heat-treatable; low-cost general machine steel.
What is the yield strength of C22E?
C22E has a typical yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C22E easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 96% of steel grades). Machines easily but is gummy when annealed — normalized or cold-drawn stock, sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant give the cleanest finish and best chip breaking.
Can C22E be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent weldability by MIG/TIG/SMAW/RSW with ER70S-6 or E7018 filler; carbon equivalent ≈0.35 means no preheat below ~25 mm and no post-weld heat treatment for most work.
What surface finishes work on C22E?
Not anodizable; protect with zinc or zinc–nickel plating, hot-dip galvanising, phosphate+oil, black oxide or paint — bare surfaces rust within days in humid air.
Can C22E be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability in +A/+N — bending, deep drawing, cold heading and roll forming are routine; hot form at 850–1150 °C, normalize at 880–920 °C after heavy hot work.
What is the maximum service temperature of C22E?
C22E 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 C22E +N and C22E-CH?
+N is the default condition — default stocked condition — uniform fine grain, balanced strength/toughness and the best all-round machining and welding behaviour. CH: pick when a wear-resistant hard case (~0.3–1.2 mm, 700–800 HV) over a tough, low-strength core is needed — pins, bushings, light gears and shafts. Yield strength is 290 MPa in +N versus 350 MPa in CH.
How much does C22E cost?
C22E 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 10083-2 Steels for quenching and tempering — Non-alloy steels — CEN (2006)
- EN 10084 Case hardening steels — Technical delivery conditions — CEN (2008)
- EN 10277 Bright steel products — Technical delivery conditions — CEN (2018)
- SAE J403 Chemical Compositions of SAE Carbon Steels (1022) — SAE International (2014)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. (machinability ratings) — Industrial Press (2020)
- 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.