Steel C45E
EN C45E · AISI/SAE 1045 equivalent, 1045 · GB 45#
C45E (1.1191) is an unalloyed medium-carbon quality steel to EN 10083 with controlled residual and low phosphorus/sulphur content, the European counterpart of AISI 1045, 45# and Ck45.
Values for the Normalized condition
C45E tempers and conditions
C45E is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. Normalized is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
soft annealed (spheroidize/full anneal) | Softest condition for deep machining, cold forming or before hardening. | 320 | 580 | 20 | 170 HB | — |
as hot rolled / as delivered | Cheapest bar/plate stock where properties are not critical and parts will be heat treated later. | 340 | 620 | 16 | 10 HRC | 10 % IACS |
NormalizedDefault normalized | Standard stock condition: uniform fine pearlitic structure, balanced strength and machinability. | 380 | 660 | 18 | 190 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | General-purpose tough/strong condition for shafts, gears and fasteners; use for sections up to roughly 40 mm. | 520 | 760 | 15 | 21 HRC | — |
Induction/flame hardened | Pick when a hard, wear-resistant running surface is needed on a tough core (shaft journals, guide rails, gear teeth). | 520 | 760 | 14 | 56 HRC | 8.5 % IACS |
cold drawn (bright bar) | Bright, close-tolerance bar with raised yield strength for shafts and turned parts made without further heat treatment. | 560 | 720 | 10 | 215 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered to medium hardness | Higher-strength through-hardened condition for loaded shafts and gear blanks in thin/medium sections. | 750 | 950 | 12 | 30 HRC | — |
What is C45E?
C45E (1.1191) is an unalloyed medium-carbon quality steel to EN 10083 with controlled residual and low phosphorus/sulphur content, the European counterpart of AISI 1045, 45# and Ck45. It is bought as hot-rolled or cold-drawn bar, plate and forging stock for parts that are through-hardened or induction hardened after machining; the default condition gives 380 MPa yield, 660 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation, 190 HB (92 HRB), machinability 55 and service to 350 °C. Weldability is limited (score 45, CE ≈ 0.55) and cold formability is modest (score 40). Use 1144 for easier machining or 42CrMo4 for deeper hardenability. C45E has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). C45E has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is C45E used for?
- Crankshafts
- Shafts
- Industrial bolts
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 50 MPa·√m (45.5 ksi·√in), worse than 86% of steel grades
C45E properties
Typical room-temperature values for C45E-Normalized; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C45E has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
C45E has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C45E is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C45E conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C45E takes about 24 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 97% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
C45E's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. C45E is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C45E
Is C45E easy to machine?
Machines well in +N or +C at ~120–180 m/min with carbide; annealed material can smear, and above ~30 HRC use coated carbide/CBN and rigid setups.
Can C45E be welded?
CE ≈ 0.55 — preheat 150–250 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables, control interpass and stress-relieve/re-temper afterwards to avoid martensitic cracking.
Can C45E be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge at 1100–850 °C then normalize; cold bending is limited (recommend bend radius ≥ 3t and annealed material).
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to C45E. Every C45E part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better55 / 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 | Better40 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better45 / 100 |
C45E 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 | 0.42 – 0.5 | 0.45 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| SE grade: controlled max sulphur | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Cr | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Mo | ≤ 0.1 | |
| NiCr+Mo+Ni ≤ 0.63 | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on C45E?
No anodizing; protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc or hard-chrome plating, nitriding for wear, and paint for outdoor service.
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 C45E in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does C45E cost?
C45E 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.
C45E — frequently asked
What is C45E used for?
C45E is typically used for crankshafts, shafts and industrial bolts. In short: european medium-carbon bar.
What is the yield strength of C45E?
C45E has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 660 MPa (95.7 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is C45E easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines well in +N or +C at ~120–180 m/min with carbide; annealed material can smear, and above ~30 HRC use coated carbide/CBN and rigid setups.
Can C45E be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). CE ≈ 0.55 — preheat 150–250 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables, control interpass and stress-relieve/re-temper afterwards to avoid martensitic cracking.
What surface finishes work on C45E?
No anodizing; protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc or hard-chrome plating, nitriding for wear, and paint for outdoor service.
Can C45E be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge at 1100–850 °C then normalize; cold bending is limited (recommend bend radius ≥ 3t and annealed material).
What is the maximum service temperature of C45E?
C45E 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.
What is the difference between C45E Normalized and C45E-QT?
Normalized is the default condition — standard stock condition: uniform fine pearlitic structure, balanced strength and machinability. QT: general-purpose tough/strong condition for shafts, gears and fasteners; use for sections up to roughly 40 mm. Yield strength is 380 MPa in Normalized versus 520 MPa in QT.
How much does C45E cost?
C45E 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in C45E?
Yes — C45E 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 10277 Bright steel products — technical delivery conditions — CEN (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.16 — Machining; Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- 1.1191 / C45E datasheet — Böhler / Deutsche Edelstahlwerke (2022)
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.