Steel S45C · heat-treated state · default condition
Steel S45C Normalized
Properties of the Normalized condition, compared with the other S45C tempers.
Default stocked condition: uniform fine pearlitic structure, predictable machining and a sound base for later induction or through hardening.
What is S45C Normalized?
S45C Normalized is S45C heat treated to Normalized — default stocked condition: uniform fine pearlitic structure, predictable machining and a sound base for later induction or through hardening. S45C Normalized has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). S45C 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
- High electrical conductivity — 10.7 % IACS, better than 91% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 49 W/m·K (28.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 50 MPa·√m (45.5 ksi·√in), worse than 87% of steel grades
S45C Normalized properties
Typical room-temperature values for S45C Normalized — 15 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every S45C temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
S45C 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
S45C Normalized has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
S45C 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
S45C Normalized conducts electricity at 10.7 % IACS, better than 91% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S45C Normalized takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
S45C Normalized's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% 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 S45C tempers and conditions
S45C is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the S45C overview.
- NormalizedDefaultDefault stocked condition: uniform fine pearlitic structure, predictable machining and a sound base for later induction or through hardening.380 MPa yield · 187 HB
- QT 34-40 HRCUse for wear parts and small-section shafts where strength beats toughness; grinding usually needed after heat treat.950 MPa yield · 37 HRC
- QT 28-32 HRCMould plate / gear blank condition: highest strength still comfortably machinable with carbide tooling.750 MPa yield · 30 HRC
- CDChoose for close tolerance, bright surface shafting used with little or no machining; note residual stress and lower ductility.600 MPa yield · 207 HB
- QTGeneral strengthened condition per JIS/GB for shafts, gears and connecting parts needing ≥690 MPa with good toughness.550 MPa yield · 22 HRC
- IHChoose when a wear-resistant 50–58 HRC skin (0.5–3 mm case) is needed on a tough normalized or Q&T core, e.g. shaft journals and guide rails.550 MPa yield · 55 HRC
- HRCheapest stock form for weldments and rough machined parts where dimensional and property scatter is acceptable.340 MPa yield · 179 HB
- APick for maximum softness before heavy cold forming, deep drilling or re-hardening.310 MPa yield · 163 HB
Working with S45C Normalized
Is S45C easy to machine?
Good turning/milling at ~57 % of 1212; best chip control at 170–230 HB, use rigid setups and coolant above 300 HB, expect abrasive tool wear from pearlite.
Can S45C be welded?
Weldable but carbon-equivalent ≈0.6: preheat 150–250 °C, low-hydrogen consumables (E7018/ER70S-6) and post-weld stress relief or normalizing to avoid HAZ martensite cracking.
Can S45C be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1200 °C then normalize; cold bending is limited (generous bend radii, anneal first), and cold-drawn bar should be stress-relieved before heavy machining to control distortion.
What surface finishes work on S45C?
No anodizing; protect by black oxide, phosphate, zinc/nickel or hard-chrome plating, paint or oil — surfaces flash-rust within hours of grinding.
S45C 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CJIS G4051 S45C | 0.42 – 0.48 | 0.45 |
| Si | 0.15 – 0.35 | 0.25 |
| Mn | 0.6 – 0.9 | 0.75 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | — |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | — |
| Curesidual max | ≤ 0.3 | — |
| Niresidual max; Ni+Cr ≤ 0.35 | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Crresidual max | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Fe | balance | — |
S45C Normalized — frequently asked
What is S45C Normalized used for?
S45C Normalized is typically used for crankshafts, shafts and industrial bolts. In short: normalized Japanese carbon bar.
What is the yield strength of S45C Normalized?
S45C Normalized has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 67% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is S45C Normalized easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Good turning/milling at ~57 % of 1212; best chip control at 170–230 HB, use rigid setups and coolant above 300 HB, expect abrasive tool wear from pearlite.
Can S45C Normalized be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (45/100). Weldable but carbon-equivalent ≈0.6: preheat 150–250 °C, low-hydrogen consumables (E7018/ER70S-6) and post-weld stress relief or normalizing to avoid HAZ martensite cracking.
What surface finishes work on S45C Normalized?
No anodizing; protect by black oxide, phosphate, zinc/nickel or hard-chrome plating, paint or oil — surfaces flash-rust within hours of grinding.
Can S45C Normalized be formed, bent or molded?
Hot forge 1100–1200 °C then normalize; cold bending is limited (generous bend radii, anneal first), and cold-drawn bar should be stress-relieved before heavy machining to control distortion.
What is the maximum service temperature of S45C Normalized?
S45C 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 S45C Normalized and S45C-CD?
Normalized is the default condition — default stocked condition: uniform fine pearlitic structure, predictable machining and a sound base for later induction or through hardening. CD: choose for close tolerance, bright surface shafting used with little or no machining; note residual stress and lower ductility. Yield strength is 380 MPa in Normalized versus 600 MPa in CD.
Can FabDigit make parts in S45C Normalized?
Yes — S45C 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
- JIS G 4051 — Carbon steels for machine structural use — JISC (2016)
- EN 10083-2 — Non-alloy quality steels C45 (1.0503) — CEN (2006)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Metals Reference Book / machinability ratings — ASM International (1993)
- Carbon steel LCI datasets (embodied energy/carbon) — worldsteel (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.