Steel C2C +AC (Spheroidize annealed)
Heat-treated state
EN 1.0314
Standard EN 10263 delivery condition; on this ultra-low-carbon grade it behaves essentially like a full soft anneal (almost no carbide present).
Values for the +AC condition
Other C2C tempers and conditions
C2C is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at C2C.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+ACThis page 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 +AC?
C2C +AC is C2C heat treated to +AC — standard EN 10263 delivery condition; on this ultra-low-carbon grade it behaves essentially like a full soft anneal (almost no carbide present). C2C +AC has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 44% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi). C2C +AC 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). +U+C is the default condition FabDigit quotes; +AC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 44%, better than 100% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 63 W/m·K (36.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 13 % IACS, better than 100% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 96/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 100/100, better than 100% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 180 MPa (26.1 ksi), worse than 99% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
C2C +AC properties
Typical room-temperature values for C2C +AC; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are C2C reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C2C +AC 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 +AC has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 44% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
C2C +AC is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 63 W/m·K (36.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 100% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C2C +AC conducts electricity at 13 % IACS, better than 100% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C2C +AC 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 +AC's machinability is fair (44/100, worse than 71% of steel grades); weldability excellent (96/100); formability excellent (100/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with C2C +AC
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.
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.
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 | — |
C2C +AC — frequently asked
What is C2C +AC used for?
C2C +AC 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 +AC?
C2C +AC has a typical yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is C2C +AC easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (44/100, worse than 71% 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 +AC 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 +AC?
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 +AC 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 +AC?
C2C +AC is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.