Steel C45EC
AISI/SAE 1045 · EN 1.1192 · GB 45
C45EC (1.1192, AISI 1045) is a special-quality non-alloy medium-carbon steel of about 0.45 % C with controlled residual elements and defined hardenability for cold heading and forging.
Reference datasheet — C45EC 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 +AC+C condition
C45EC tempers and conditions
C45EC is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. +AC+C is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spheroidize annealed | Softest, most formable rod/wire condition — pick for severe cold heading, cold extrusion or upsetting before quench & temper. | 340 | 570 | 22 | 170 HB | — |
Annealed | General soft-annealed condition for easier machining and light cold forming when full spheroidization is not required. | 350 | 600 | 20 | 180 HB | — |
Treated for improved shearability | Structure conditioned for clean billet shearing on the header when heading strains are moderate. | 380 | 620 | 18 | 185 HB | 10 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Cheapest wire rod/bar condition; for hot forging, machining or as feedstock for in-house spheroidizing. | 400 | 700 | 16 | 200 HB | — |
Lightly cold drawn | Minimal reduction after annealing to clean the surface and hold diameter while keeping near-annealed formability. | 430 | 600 | 16 | 178 HB | 10 % IACS |
+AC+CDefault Spheroidize annealed and cold drawn | Standard cold-heading wire delivery: spheroidized then drawn to size/tolerance and surface finish for automatic header feed. | 520 | 630 | 12 | 185 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Drawn without prior spheroidizing — highest as-drawn strength and best straightness/tolerance for machined parts, limited heading ability. | 620 | 760 | 10 | 220 HB | — |
Guaranteed hardenability (Jominy band), hardened and tempered condition | Order +H when the headed part must be quench-hardened to a defined core hardness (e.g. property class 8.8 bolts); values below are typical after 830–860 °C quench + 550–600 °C temper. | 620 | 850 | 15 | 25 HRC | — |
What is C45EC?
C45EC (1.1192, AISI 1045) is a special-quality non-alloy medium-carbon steel of about 0.45 % C with controlled residual elements and defined hardenability for cold heading and forging. It is specified where parts are upset or extruded cold and hardened later; the default condition gives 520 MPa yield, 630 MPa tensile, 12 % elongation and 185 HB (90 HRB), with +U, +A, +AC, +AC+C, +C, +LC, +TH and +H on file. Service is limited to about 300 °C and CEV ≈ 0.6 makes welding conditional on preheat and stress relief. For plain machined Q&T bar rather than headed parts, C45E is the usual alternative. C45EC 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). C45EC has a yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 630 MPa (91.4 ksi) — stronger than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 208 GPa (30.2 Msi).
What is C45EC used for?
- Cold-headed fasteners
- Shafts
- Forged machine parts
- Bolts and studs
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 81% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 55 MPa·√m (50.1 ksi·√in), worse than 82% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
C45EC properties
Typical room-temperature values for C45EC-+AC+C; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C45EC 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
C45EC has a yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 630 MPa (91.4 ksi) — stronger than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 208 GPa (30.2 Msi).
Thermal6
C45EC is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.6 µm/m·K (6.44 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C45EC 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 C45EC takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability6
C45EC's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability good (65/100).
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. C45EC is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C45EC
Is C45EC easy to machine?
Machines predictably at ~60 % of 1212; spheroidized structure smears slightly, cold drawn or normalized gives the best chip break — carbide tooling, 120–180 m/min dry or emulsion.
Can C45EC be welded?
CEV ≈ 0.6 — weldable only with 150–250 °C preheat, low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relief; avoid welding hardened parts.
Can C45EC be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for cold heading/extrusion in the +AC or +AC+C condition with phosphate + soap or polymer lubricant; annealed rod tolerates upset ratios typical of class 8.8 bolt geometry.
C45EC 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 |
| Sirestricted for cold heading / tool life | ≤ 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Curesidual, limits hot/cold workability | ≤ 0.25 | 0.15 |
| Cr+Mo+Nisum of residual alloying elements | ≤ 0.63 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on C45EC?
No corrosion resistance of its own — zinc electroplate (with baking against hydrogen embrittlement), zinc-flake, phosphate + oil, or QPQ/nitride; polishes and hard-chromes well.
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 C45EC in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- AISI / SAE
- 1045
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.1192
- GB (China)
- 45
How much does C45EC cost?
C45EC is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
C45EC — frequently asked
What is C45EC used for?
C45EC is typically used for cold-headed fasteners, shafts, forged machine parts and bolts and studs. In short: cold-heading grade 1045; stronger than C35EC; class 8.8 bolt stock.
What is the yield strength of C45EC?
C45EC has a typical yield strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 630 MPa (91.4 ksi) — stronger than 67% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C45EC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines predictably at ~60 % of 1212; spheroidized structure smears slightly, cold drawn or normalized gives the best chip break — carbide tooling, 120–180 m/min dry or emulsion.
Can C45EC be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). CEV ≈ 0.6 — weldable only with 150–250 °C preheat, low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld stress relief; avoid welding hardened parts.
What surface finishes work on C45EC?
No corrosion resistance of its own — zinc electroplate (with baking against hydrogen embrittlement), zinc-flake, phosphate + oil, or QPQ/nitride; polishes and hard-chromes well.
Can C45EC be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for cold heading/extrusion in the +AC or +AC+C condition with phosphate + soap or polymer lubricant; annealed rod tolerates upset ratios typical of class 8.8 bolt geometry.
What is the maximum service temperature of C45EC?
C45EC is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does C45EC cost?
C45EC is a budget-cost steel ($), 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 10263-4 Steel rod, bars and wire for cold heading and cold extrusion — Part 4: Steels for quenching and tempering — CEN (2019)
- EN 10083-2 Steels for quenching and tempering — Non-alloy steels — CEN (2006)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook, machinability ratings — Industrial Press (2020)
- Cold heading wire rod grade datasheets (C45EC/ML45) — Ovako / Saarstahl / wire rod (2023)
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.