Steel C45 · heat-treated state · default condition
Steel C45 Normalized
Properties of the Normalized condition, compared with the other C45 tempers.
Standard stock condition for shafts and machined parts needing uniform medium strength and predictable machining.
What is C45 Normalized?
C45 Normalized is C45 heat treated to Normalized — standard stock condition for shafts and machined parts needing uniform medium strength and predictable machining. C45 Normalized has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). C45 Normalized 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).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 50 MPa·√m (45.5 ksi·√in), worse than 87% of steel grades
C45 Normalized properties
Typical room-temperature values for C45 Normalized — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every C45 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
C45 Normalized 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
C45 Normalized has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
C45 Normalized is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
C45 Normalized conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 82% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of C45 Normalized takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
C45 Normalized's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability fair (45/100); formability fair (40/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other C45 tempers and conditions
C45 is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the C45 overview.
- NormalizedDefaultStandard stock condition for shafts and machined parts needing uniform medium strength and predictable machining.400 MPa yield · 190 HB
- Q&T 28-32 HRCSpecify when a hardness-controlled, higher-strength core is required for gears, couplings and hydraulic parts.760 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- Q&T 22-26 HRCUse where toughness and weld-repairability matter more than peak strength (large shafts, pressure parts).620 MPa yield · 24 HRC
- +CPick for close-tolerance bright bar used as-is for shafts, pins and turned parts.580 MPa yield · 210 HB
- +AC+CSpheroidized then cold-drawn C45/1.1061 bright bar — close tolerances and smooth surface with strength raised by drawing while retaining useful cold-forming ductility.500 MPa yield · 195 HB
- +QTStandard delivery condition for loaded shafts, gears and fasteners needing higher yield with retained toughness.480 MPa yield · 20 HRC
- IHBest choice for wear surfaces — journals, guide rails, splines — keeping a tough normalized or Q&T core.450 MPa yield · 57 HRC
- +AChoose for maximum machinability, cold forming or before final hardening.350 MPa yield · 165 HB
- +ACSpheroidize-annealed C45/1.1061 bar with globular carbides — lowest hardness and best cold-heading/cold-extrusion ductility of the non-hardened conditions.330 MPa yield · 175 HB
- HRCheapest stock form for weldments and rough-machined parts where strength scatter is acceptable.330 MPa yield · 175 HB
Working with C45 Normalized
Is C45 easy to machine?
Machines well in +N or +A at ~57% of 1212; use carbide at 120–200 m/min, expect stringy chips and moderate tool wear above 28 HRC.
Can C45 be welded?
Weldable but crack-sensitive (CE≈0.55): preheat 150–250 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, and post-weld stress relief or re-normalizing.
Can C45 be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge at 1100–850 °C then normalize; cold bending only in annealed condition with generous radii (≥3t).
What surface finishes work on C45?
No anodizing — protect by oxide blackening, zinc phosphate, zinc/Cr plating, nitriding or paint; polishes to a good bright finish for mould plates.
C45 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 10083-2 C45 | 0.42 – 0.5 | 0.45 |
| Si | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 0.8 | 0.65 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| CrCr+Mo+Ni ≤ 0.63 | ≤ 0.4 | — |
| Ni | ≤ 0.4 | — |
| Mo | ≤ 0.1 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
C45 Normalized — frequently asked
What is C45 Normalized used for?
C45 Normalized is typically used for crankshafts, shafts and industrial bolts. In short: european medium-carbon bar.
What is the yield strength of C45 Normalized?
C45 Normalized has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 650 MPa (94.3 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is C45 Normalized easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines well in +N or +A at ~57% of 1212; use carbide at 120–200 m/min, expect stringy chips and moderate tool wear above 28 HRC.
Can C45 Normalized be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Weldable but crack-sensitive (CE≈0.55): preheat 150–250 °C, low-hydrogen consumables, and post-weld stress relief or re-normalizing.
What surface finishes work on C45 Normalized?
No anodizing — protect by oxide blackening, zinc phosphate, zinc/Cr plating, nitriding or paint; polishes to a good bright finish for mould plates.
Can C45 Normalized be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge at 1100–850 °C then normalize; cold bending only in annealed condition with generous radii (≥3t).
What is the maximum service temperature of C45 Normalized?
C45 Normalized is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between C45 Normalized and C45-HR?
Normalized is the default condition — standard stock condition for shafts and machined parts needing uniform medium strength and predictable machining. HR: cheapest stock form for weldments and rough-machined parts where strength scatter is acceptable. Yield strength is 400 MPa in Normalized versus 330 MPa in HR.
Can FabDigit make parts in C45 Normalized?
Yes — C45 Normalized is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 10083-2 Steels for quenching and tempering — Non-alloy steels — CEN (2006)
- ASTM A29/A29M & SAE J403 (1045) — ASTM / SAE (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- C45 / 1.0503 bar datasheet — Saarstahl / Ovako (2022)
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.