Steel C45Pb
EN 1.1201, C45 + Pb
C45Pb is a leaded free-cutting medium-carbon structural steel based on EN 10083-2 C45 (equivalent to GB/T 45 steel and AISI 1045), with 0.15–0.35 % lead dispersed as fine particles that lubricate the cut and break chips.
Values for the CD condition
C45Pb tempers and conditions
C45Pb is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. CD 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Choose when maximum machinability and low hardness are wanted before final hardening. | 320 | 580 | 20 | 180 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest mill condition for parts that will be fully machined or later heat treated. | 340 | 620 | 16 | 185 HB | — |
Normalized | Uniform fine-pearlitic structure; balanced strength and toughness for general machined parts. | 380 | 650 | 17 | 195 HB | — |
cold drawn and stress-relieved (bright, low residual stress) | Pick for slender or asymmetrically machined parts where cold-drawing stresses would cause distortion. | 500 | 670 | 11 | 14 HRC | 10.7 % IACS |
CDDefault Cold drawn | Standard stock condition: close tolerance, bright surface, high strength — the usual feed for CNC/auto-lathe turned parts. | 540 | 700 | 9 | 205 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Use for loaded shafts, pins and threaded parts needing higher yield with usable toughness. | 550 | 760 | 15 | 21 HRC | — |
Induction hardened | Select for journals and guide surfaces needing a hard, wear-resistant case over a tough core. | 550 | 760 | 12 | 55 HRC | 10 % IACS |
quenched and tempered to a specified hardness band | Ordered when a drawing calls out a hardness band for wear and thread strength on small-diameter bar. | 750 | 950 | 12 | 30 HRC | 9.8 % IACS |
What is C45Pb?
C45Pb is a leaded free-cutting medium-carbon structural steel based on EN 10083-2 C45 (equivalent to GB/T 45 steel and AISI 1045), with 0.15–0.35 % lead dispersed as fine particles that lubricate the cut and break chips. Cutting force and tool wear drop noticeably, so it is used for high-volume automatic-lathe shafts, pins, threaded parts and hydraulic fittings; strength and hardenability match plain C45, and bar can be supplied cold drawn, normalized, quenched and tempered (including 28–32 HRC) or induction hardened. Lead degrades weldability and hot workability, reduces toughness above 250 °C and is restricted by RoHS/REACH, so unleaded C45 or bismuth/sulphur free-cutting grades are the usual substitutes. C45Pb 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). C45Pb has a yield strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is C45Pb used for?
- Shafts
- Bolts
- Spindles
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 70/100, better than 96% of steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.7 % IACS, better than 91% 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 — 9%, worse than 93% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 45 MPa·√m (41 ksi·√in), worse than 90% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
C45Pb properties
Typical room-temperature values for C45Pb-CD; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C45Pb 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
C45Pb has a yield strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C45Pb 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 11.8 µm/m·K (6.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C45Pb conducts electricity at 10.7 % IACS, better than 91% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C45Pb takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
C45Pb's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 96% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability poor (30/100).
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. C45Pb is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C45Pb
Is C45Pb easy to machine?
Excellent for a 0.45 %C steel — lead gives short chips, lower cutting force and good surface finish; run high speeds with carbide, use dry or oil mist and collect swarf as lead-bearing waste.
Can C45Pb be welded?
Poor: 0.45 %C plus lead promotes hot cracking and porosity; avoid welding, or preheat 200–300 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld temper, and ventilate for lead fume.
Can C45Pb be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability (bend radii ≥3t, elongation <12 % in CD); hot form at 850–1150 °C but avoid holding near 1100 °C+ where lead causes hot shortness.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to C45Pb. Every C45Pb part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Excellent70 / 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 |
C45Pb 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≤0.035 for quality-steel grades | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Soften 0.020–0.040 to aid chip breaking | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Pbfree-cutting addition | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| CrCr+Mo+Ni ≤ 0.63 total | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Ni | ≤ 0.4 | |
| Mo | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on C45Pb?
No anodizing; protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc or nickel plating — bake after plating to limit hydrogen embrittlement in hardened conditions; polishes to a fair finish.
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 C45Pb in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.1201C45 + Pb
How much does C45Pb cost?
C45Pb 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.
C45Pb — frequently asked
What is C45Pb used for?
C45Pb is typically used for shafts, bolts and spindles. In short: leaded medium-carbon machining bar.
What is the yield strength of C45Pb?
C45Pb has a typical yield strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 700 MPa (102 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is C45Pb easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 96% of steel grades). Excellent for a 0.45 %C steel — lead gives short chips, lower cutting force and good surface finish; run high speeds with carbide, use dry or oil mist and collect swarf as lead-bearing waste.
Can C45Pb be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor: 0.45 %C plus lead promotes hot cracking and porosity; avoid welding, or preheat 200–300 °C, use low-hydrogen consumables and post-weld temper, and ventilate for lead fume.
What surface finishes work on C45Pb?
No anodizing; protect with oil, phosphate, black oxide, zinc or nickel plating — bake after plating to limit hydrogen embrittlement in hardened conditions; polishes to a fair finish.
Can C45Pb be formed, bent or molded?
Limited cold formability (bend radii ≥3t, elongation <12 % in CD); hot form at 850–1150 °C but avoid holding near 1100 °C+ where lead causes hot shortness.
What is the maximum service temperature of C45Pb?
C45Pb 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.
What is the difference between C45Pb-CD and C45Pb-A?
CD is the default condition — standard stock condition: close tolerance, bright surface, high strength — the usual feed for CNC/auto-lathe turned parts. A: choose when maximum machinability and low hardness are wanted before final hardening. Yield strength is 540 MPa in CD versus 320 MPa in A.
How much does C45Pb cost?
C45Pb 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 C45Pb?
Yes — C45Pb is available for CNC machining; 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 quality steels — CEN (2006)
- EN 10277-3 Bright steel products — free-cutting steels — CEN (2018)
- EN 10027-2 / Werkstoff-Nummer 1.1201 designation system — CEN (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Bright bar / free-cutting steel datasheets (C45, C45Pb) — European bright-bar producers (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.