Steel E235 +LC (Cold drawn, soft)
Supply condition
EN E235
Precision tube dimensions with near-annealed ductility — for hydraulic lines that still need bending and flaring.
Values for the +LC 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 datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition — choose when the tube must be heavily bent, flared, expanded or further cold formed. | 215 | 360 | 30 | 110 HB | — |
+LCThis page Cold drawn, soft | Precision tube dimensions with near-annealed ductility — for hydraulic lines that still need bending and flaring. | 250 | 390 | 25 | 120 HB | — |
+NDefault Normalized | Standard supply condition for seamless mechanical tube: uniform fine-grain structure, guaranteed 235 MPa yield and 27 J Charpy. | 265 | 420 | 27 | 130 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Cheapest hot-finished seamless tube; use for non-critical structures where mechanical property scatter and mill scale are acceptable. | 270 | 430 | 25 | 135 HB | — |
Stress relieved | Cold-drawn strength with residual stresses removed — best choice when tubes are machined or bent without springback/distortion problems. | 340 | 450 | 15 | 145 HB | — |
Cold drawn | Precision tube per EN 10305-1 with tight tolerance and bright bore; highest strength but low ductility — avoid tight bends. | 420 | 500 | 10 | 160 HB | — |
What is E235 +LC?
E235 +LC is E235 supplied in the +LC condition — precision tube dimensions with near-annealed ductility — for hydraulic lines that still need bending and flaring. E235 +LC has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). E235 +LC 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; +LC is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 84/100, better than 94% 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
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), worse than 94% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
E235 +LC properties
Typical room-temperature values for E235 +LC; 10 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 +LC 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).
Mechanical16
E235 +LC has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
E235 +LC 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).
Electrical3
E235 +LC 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 E235 +LC 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
E235 +LC's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability very good (84/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E235 +LC
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.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Ccast analysis, EN 10297-1 | ≤ 0.17 | 0.15 |
| Si | ≤ 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.2 | 0.8 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance | — |
E235 +LC — frequently asked
What is E235 +LC used for?
E235 +LC 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 +LC?
E235 +LC has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is E235 +LC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% 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 +LC be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). 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 +LC?
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 +LC 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 +LC?
E235 +LC 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
- EN 10297-1 — Seamless circular steel tubes for mechanical and general engineering purposes, Part 1: Non-alloy and alloy steel tubes — CEN (2003)
- EN 10305-1 — Steel tubes for precision applications, Part 1: Seamless cold drawn tubes — CEN (2016)
- EN 10027-2 — Designation systems for steels, material numbers (1.0308) — CEN (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- 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.