FabDigitFabDigit

Steel E235 +C (Cold drawn)

Supply condition

EN E235

Precision tube per EN 10305-1 with tight tolerance and bright bore; highest strength but low ductility — avoid tight bends.

Budget cost $

Values for the +C condition

Other E235 tempers and conditions

E235 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at E235.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Annealed
Softest condition — choose when the tube must be heavily bent, flared, expanded or further cold formed.21536030110 HB—
Cold drawn, soft
Precision tube dimensions with near-annealed ductility — for hydraulic lines that still need bending and flaring.25039025120 HB—
+NDefault
Normalized
Standard supply condition for seamless mechanical tube: uniform fine-grain structure, guaranteed 235 MPa yield and 27 J Charpy.26542027130 HB—
Hot rolled
Cheapest hot-finished seamless tube; use for non-critical structures where mechanical property scatter and mill scale are acceptable.27043025135 HB—
Stress relieved
Cold-drawn strength with residual stresses removed — best choice when tubes are machined or bent without springback/distortion problems.34045015145 HB—
+CThis page
Cold drawn
Precision tube per EN 10305-1 with tight tolerance and bright bore; highest strength but low ductility — avoid tight bends.42050010160 HB—

What is E235 +C?

E235 +C is E235 supplied in the +C condition — precision tube per EN 10305-1 with tight tolerance and bright bore; highest strength but low ductility — avoid tight bends. E235 +C has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). E235 +C has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F). +N is the default condition FabDigit quotes; +C is available on request or by drawing note.

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 — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades
  • Readily welded — 85/100, better than 83% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 91% of steel grades
  • Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades

E235 +C properties

Typical room-temperature values for E235 +C; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E235 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

E235 +C has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,460°C2,660 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,520°C2,768 °F

Mechanical16

E235 +C has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus81 GPa11.7 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)500 MPa72.5 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)420 MPa60.9 ksi
Elongation at Break10%
Reduction in Area55%
Compressive Strength265 MPa38.4 ksi
Shear Strength320 MPa46.4 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)230 MPa33.4 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)25 J18.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell160 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B84 HRB
Hardness, Vickers137 HV

Thermal6

E235 +C is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion247 J/g106 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)350°C662 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

E235 +C conducts electricity at 10.7 % IACS, better than 91% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity10.7 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.61 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended10/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in humid air, water and chlorides; acceptable only with paint, zinc or oil coating. Resists dry gases, oils and most organic solvents; attacked by acids and salt spray.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of E235 +C takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)1.9 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability6

E235 +C's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 96% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability fair (50/100).

MachinabilityVery good70/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)70%
WeldabilityExcellent85/100
Formability (cold)Fair50/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityVery good75/100
PolishabilityFair45/100

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with E235 +C

Is E235 easy to machine?

Machines easily with HSS or coated carbide but is gummy in the annealed state — use positive rake, high speed and coolant to avoid built-up edge; cold-drawn +C/+SR gives the cleanest chips and best surface.

Can E235 be welded?

Excellent weldability by MIG/TIG/SMAW/resistance methods with ER70S-6 class filler; CEV well below 0.40 so no preheat is needed for typical tube wall thicknesses.

Can E235 be formed, bent or molded?

Cold bends, flares and expands readily in +A/+N/+LC condition (bend radius ≈ 2–3×OD); +C tube should be stress relieved or annealed before severe forming.

What surface finishes work on E235?

No corrosion resistance in bare form — specify zinc plating, hot-dip galvanizing, phosphate+oil, e-coat or paint; polishes only to a moderate luster and will rust without a topcoat.

E235 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Ccast analysis, EN 10297-1≤ 0.170.15
Si≤ 0.350.25
Mn≤ 1.20.8
P≤ 0.030.02
S≤ 0.030.02
Febalance—

E235 +C — frequently asked

What is E235 +C used for?

E235 +C is typically used for mechanical tubing, hydraulic tube stock, machine frame tubes and general engineering tube parts. In short: good-machining mechanical tube; weldable without preheat; general engineering tube default.

What is the yield strength of E235 +C?

E235 +C has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is E235 +C easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 96% of steel grades). Machines easily with HSS or coated carbide but is gummy in the annealed state — use positive rake, high speed and coolant to avoid built-up edge; cold-drawn +C/+SR gives the cleanest chips and best surface.

Can E235 +C be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent weldability by MIG/TIG/SMAW/resistance methods with ER70S-6 class filler; CEV well below 0.40 so no preheat is needed for typical tube wall thicknesses.

What surface finishes work on E235 +C?

No corrosion resistance in bare form — specify zinc plating, hot-dip galvanizing, phosphate+oil, e-coat or paint; polishes only to a moderate luster and will rust without a topcoat.

Can E235 +C be formed, bent or molded?

Cold bends, flares and expands readily in +A/+N/+LC condition (bend radius ≈ 2–3×OD); +C tube should be stress relieved or annealed before severe forming.

What is the maximum service temperature of E235 +C?

E235 +C 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

  1. EN 10297-1 — Seamless circular steel tubes for mechanical and general engineering purposes, Part 1: Non-alloy and alloy steel tubes — CEN (2003)
  2. EN 10305-1 — Steel tubes for precision applications, Part 1: Seamless cold drawn tubes — CEN (2016)
  3. EN 10027-2 — Designation systems for steels, material numbers (1.0308) — CEN (2015)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)

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.