Steel C56E2
EN C56E2
C56E2 (1.1219) is a quality non-alloy carbon steel of about 0.56 % C formulated for induction hardening, producing a hard wear-resistant surface layer over a tough core in rolling-contact parts.
Reference datasheet — C56E2 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 +A condition
C56E2 tempers and conditions
C56E2 is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. +A 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+ADefault Annealed | Stock condition for strip and bar: softest, best for deep drawing, machining and cold forming before hardening. | 350 | 620 | 18 | 180 HB | — |
Normalized | Uniform fine ferrite-pearlite for stable machining and predictable response to subsequent induction hardening. | 430 | 800 | 14 | 235 HB | — |
Treated for high shearability | Choose when bar or strip must be cold-sheared, blanked or cropped cleanly without cracking before hardening. | 450 | 780 | 13 | 230 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Through-hardened and high-temperature tempered for a strong, still machinable core in shafts, cams and pins. | 600 | 900 | 12 | 29 HRC | — |
Induction hardened | The primary reason this grade exists: a hard, compressively stressed rolling-contact surface over a tough core. | 600 | 900 | 10 | 60 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Highest as-delivered strength/flatness for shims and flat springs used without further heat treatment. | 860 | 1,000 | 3 | 31 HRC | 9 % IACS |
+QT 45–50 HRC | Spring/blade condition: oil or water quench plus 300–400 °C temper for high elastic limit and wear resistance. | 1,250 | 1,500 | 6 | 47 HRC | — |
What is C56E2?
C56E2 (1.1219) is a quality non-alloy carbon steel of about 0.56 % C formulated for induction hardening, producing a hard wear-resistant surface layer over a tough core in rolling-contact parts. It is supplied as bar and ring blanks in +A, +S, +N, +QT, +QT45, IH and +C; the default condition gives 350 MPa yield, 620 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and 180 HB (89 HRB). Weldability is poor (CE ≈ 0.7), cold forming is restricted to the annealed state, service is limited to about 300 °C and the steel rusts bare. C55E is the nearest general-purpose alternative. C56E2 has a density of 7.84 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). C56E2 has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is C56E2 used for?
- Induction-hardened bearing races
- Shafts
- Rollers
- Wear rings
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 65/100, better than 78% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- 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
- Difficult to weld — 25/100, worse than 77% of steel grades
C56E2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for C56E2-+A; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
C56E2 has a density of 7.84 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
C56E2 has a yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C56E2 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 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C56E2 conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C56E2 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
C56E2's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability poor (25/100); formability fair (45/100).
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. C56E2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with C56E2
Is C56E2 easy to machine?
Machine in the +A or +S condition with carbide at moderate speed; above ~280 HB tool life drops sharply and finishing of hardened parts requires grinding.
Can C56E2 be welded?
Poor weldability (CE ≈ 0.7): preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and immediate stress relief/temper, otherwise martensitic HAZ cracking.
Can C56E2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form/blank only in the annealed state with generous bend radii (≥2t); hot form 850–1100 °C and always re-normalize before hardening.
C56E2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cgrade-defining carbon level | 0.52 – 0.6 | 0.56 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| Pquality-steel limit | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| SE2 = restricted sulfur for cleanliness | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Crresidual; Cr+Mo+Ni typically ≤0.63 | ≤ 0.4 | 0.1 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.4 | 0.1 |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.3 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on C56E2?
No inherent corrosion protection — black oxide, phosphate, zinc plating (with bake-out to avoid hydrogen embrittlement) or oil; hardened surfaces grind and lap to a mirror 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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel C56E2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.1219
How much does C56E2 cost?
C56E2 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.
C56E2 — frequently asked
What is C56E2 used for?
C56E2 is typically used for induction-hardened bearing races, shafts, rollers and wear rings. In short: induction-hardening carbon grade; bearing-race steel; hard case, tough core.
What is the yield strength of C56E2?
C56E2 has a typical yield strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is C56E2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machine in the +A or +S condition with carbide at moderate speed; above ~280 HB tool life drops sharply and finishing of hardened parts requires grinding.
Can C56E2 be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (25/100). Poor weldability (CE ≈ 0.7): preheat 250–350 °C, low-hydrogen consumables and immediate stress relief/temper, otherwise martensitic HAZ cracking.
What surface finishes work on C56E2?
No inherent corrosion protection — black oxide, phosphate, zinc plating (with bake-out to avoid hydrogen embrittlement) or oil; hardened surfaces grind and lap to a mirror finish.
Can C56E2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form/blank only in the annealed state with generous bend radii (≥2t); hot form 850–1100 °C and always re-normalize before hardening.
What is the maximum service temperature of C56E2?
C56E2 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 C56E2 +A and C56E2-IH?
+A is the default condition — stock condition for strip and bar: softest, best for deep drawing, machining and cold forming before hardening. IH: the primary reason this grade exists: a hard, compressively stressed rolling-contact surface over a tough core. Yield strength is 350 MPa in +A versus 600 MPa in IH.
How much does C56E2 cost?
C56E2 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 10132-3/-4 — Cold rolled narrow steel strip for heat treatment — CEN (2000)
- EN 10083-2 — Steels for quenching and tempering: non-alloy steels — CEN (2006)
- EN 10027-2 / Stahl-Eisen-Liste (material number 1.1219) — CEN / VDEh (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook (machinability ratings) — Industrial Press (2020)
- GB/T 699 (55 60 comparison grades) — SAC (2015)
- Mysteel / SMM (2025)
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.