Steel C2C
EN 1.0314
C2C (1.0314) is an ultra-low-carbon (about 0.02 % C) cold-heading quality wire-rod steel with the highest forming reserve in this family, available as +U, +A, +AC, +LC, +U+C and +A+C.
Reference datasheet — C2C 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+C condition
C2C tempers and conditions
C2C is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. +U+C 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 | Standard EN 10263 delivery condition; on this ultra-low-carbon grade it behaves essentially like a full soft anneal (almost no carbide present). | 180 | 295 | 44 | 88 HB | 13 % IACS |
Annealed | Choose when maximum softness and the lowest heading load are required before a multi-station cold-forming sequence. | 185 | 300 | 43 | 90 HB | — |
Hot rolled | As-rolled coil for customers who do their own descaling, drawing or annealing before heading. | 210 | 320 | 40 | 95 HB | — |
Light cold drawn | Small reduction only, for dimensional tolerance and clean surface while keeping near-annealed ductility for severe upsetting. | 265 | 350 | 22 | 105 HB | 12 % IACS |
Annealed then cold drawn | Pick when the drawn wire must combine tight size with maximum residual heading ductility (multi-blow, deep-extruded parts). | 320 | 385 | 15 | 115 HB | 12 % IACS |
+U+CDefault Hot rolled then cold drawn | The standard stocked condition: pickled/coated rod drawn to size and ready to feed a cold header. | 340 | 400 | 12 | 120 HB | — |
What is C2C?
C2C (1.0314) is an ultra-low-carbon (about 0.02 % C) cold-heading quality wire-rod steel with the highest forming reserve in this family, available as +U, +A, +AC, +LC, +U+C and +A+C. Tabulated properties are 340 MPa yield, 400 MPa tensile, 12 % elongation and 120 HB, with a formability score of 92 and weldability of 96. It is used for the most severe cold-forming fastener work, but machinability is poor (score 48), strength is limited and service is capped around 300 °C; C4C is the nearest alternative when slightly more carbon is acceptable. C2C has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F). C2C has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is C2C used for?
- small-diameter cold-headed fasteners
- self-tapping screws
- wire nails
- deep cold-formed parts
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 60 W/m·K (34.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 96/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 12 % IACS, better than 99% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
- Low strength — 340 MPa (49.3 ksi), worse than 76% of steel grades
C2C properties
Typical room-temperature values for C2C-+U+C; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C2C has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 92% of steel grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F).
Mechanical16
C2C has a yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 76% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
C2C is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 60 W/m·K (34.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C2C conducts electricity at 12 % IACS, better than 99% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C2C takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
C2C's machinability is fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades); weldability excellent (96/100); formability excellent (92/100).
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. C2C is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C2C
Is C2C easy to machine?
Very gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and chip-breaking geometry; expect poor surface finish and long stringy chips (~50 % of 1212).
Can C2C be welded?
Excellent by all arc, resistance and projection processes; CEV ≈ 0.07 so no preheat or PWHT is needed, only low-hydrogen practice for thick sections.
Can C2C be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold heading, upsetting, deep extrusion and thread rolling with no intermediate anneal in most parts; low work-hardening rate keeps die loads low.
C2C 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cultra-low carbon, aluminium-killed | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Si | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Mn | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al for killing / grain refinement | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on C2C?
Requires protective coating — zinc or zinc-nickel electroplating, mechanical/hot-dip zinc, phosphate + oil, or Dacromet/zinc-flake for higher corrosion class; hydrogen-embrittlement bake is not critical at this strength level.
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 C2C in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.0314
How much does C2C cost?
C2C is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
C2C — frequently asked
What is C2C used for?
C2C is typically used for small-diameter cold-headed fasteners, self-tapping screws, wire nails and deep cold-formed parts. In short: most formable in family; ultra-low carbon rod; poor chip formation.
What is the yield strength of C2C?
C2C has a typical yield strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) — weaker than 76% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C2C easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (48/100, worse than 57% of steel grades). Very gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed, generous coolant and chip-breaking geometry; expect poor surface finish and long stringy chips (~50 % of 1212).
Can C2C be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (96/100). Excellent by all arc, resistance and projection processes; CEV ≈ 0.07 so no preheat or PWHT is needed, only low-hydrogen practice for thick sections.
What surface finishes work on C2C?
Requires protective coating — zinc or zinc-nickel electroplating, mechanical/hot-dip zinc, phosphate + oil, or Dacromet/zinc-flake for higher corrosion class; hydrogen-embrittlement bake is not critical at this strength level.
Can C2C be formed, bent or molded?
Outstanding cold heading, upsetting, deep extrusion and thread rolling with no intermediate anneal in most parts; low work-hardening rate keeps die loads low.
What is the maximum service temperature of C2C?
C2C is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does C2C cost?
C2C is a budget-cost steel ($), 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 10263-2 Steel rod, bars and wire for cold heading and cold extrusion — Part 2: Steels not for heat treatment — CEN (2017)
- EN 10027-2 Designation systems for steels — Numerical system (1.0314) — CEN (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.14A — Metalworking: Bulk Forming (cold heading) — ASM International (2005)
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.