Steel E260 +C (Cold drawn)
Supply condition
EN E260
Cold-drawn precision tube variant when maximum strength, straightness and surface finish are wanted and bending is limited.
Values for the +C condition
Other E260 tempers and conditions
E260 is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at E260.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed then lightly cold worked | Choose for tubes that must be bent, flared or end-formed after delivery while keeping good dimensional accuracy. | 275 | 380 | 20 | 118 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Use where residual stress from cold sizing would cause distortion during machining or subsequent welding, with only a small strength loss. | 290 | 400 | 15 | 126 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
+CThis page Cold drawn | Cold-drawn precision tube variant when maximum strength, straightness and surface finish are wanted and bending is limited. | 380 | 470 | 8 | 150 HB | 10.3 % IACS |
What is E260 +C?
E260 +C is E260 supplied in the +C condition — cold-drawn precision tube variant when maximum strength, straightness and surface finish are wanted and bending is limited. E260 +C has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). E260 +C has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 70/100, better than 96% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.3 % IACS, better than 87% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 95% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
E260 +C properties
Typical room-temperature values for E260 +C; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E260 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
E260 +C has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical16
E260 +C has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
E260 +C is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E260 +C conducts electricity at 10.3 % IACS, better than 87% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E260 +C takes about 28 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
E260 +C's machinability is very good (70/100, better than 96% of steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability fair (50/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E260 +C
Is E260 easy to machine?
Machines like ordinary low-carbon steel — gummy chips and built-up edge; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant, or specify a resulfurized grade if heavy turning is planned.
Can E260 be welded?
Excellent weldability by MIG/TIG/resistance/laser with CEV around 0.30; no preheat for typical tube walls, and the cold-worked strength is locally lost in the HAZ.
Can E260 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends, flares, expands and end-forms well in the +CR2/+LC conditions; keep bend radii ≥ 2–3 × D in the harder +CR1/+C tempers to avoid seam cracking.
What surface finishes work on E260?
No anodizing; protect with oiling, zinc phosphate, electro/hot-dip zinc, e-coat or powder paint — bare tube rusts within days in humid storage.
E260 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/ladle analysis limit for the non-alloy EN 10305 tube grades | ≤ 0.17 | 0.12 |
| Si | ≤ 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.2 | 0.7 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Febalance, residual elements per EN 10305 | balance | — |
E260 +C — frequently asked
What is E260 +C used for?
E260 +C is typically used for precision steel tubing, cylinder tubes, structural tube components and automotive tubing. In short: mid-strength precision tube steel; weldable cold-sized tube; stronger than E220.
What is the yield strength of E260 +C?
E260 +C has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 470 MPa (68.2 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is E260 +C easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (70/100, better than 96% of steel grades). Machines like ordinary low-carbon steel — gummy chips and built-up edge; use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant, or specify a resulfurized grade if heavy turning is planned.
Can E260 +C be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent weldability by MIG/TIG/resistance/laser with CEV around 0.30; no preheat for typical tube walls, and the cold-worked strength is locally lost in the HAZ.
What surface finishes work on E260 +C?
No anodizing; protect with oiling, zinc phosphate, electro/hot-dip zinc, e-coat or powder paint — bare tube rusts within days in humid storage.
Can E260 +C be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends, flares, expands and end-forms well in the +CR2/+LC conditions; keep bend radii ≥ 2–3 × D in the harder +CR1/+C tempers to avoid seam cracking.
What is the maximum service temperature of E260 +C?
E260 +C 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.
Sources
- EN 10305-3 Steel tubes for precision applications — Welded cold sized tubes — CEN (2016)
- EN 10305-1 / -2 Steel tubes for precision applications — Seamless and welded cold drawn tubes — CEN (2016)
- EN 10027-2 Numerical designation system for steels (material number 1.0220) — 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)
- worldsteel Life Cycle Inventory — steel tube — World Steel Association (2023)
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.