C10E vs C45: 43% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
C10E vs C45
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
C10E
1.1121
Lowest practical carbon case-hardening steel — 0.07-0.13% C. After carburizing: hard surface (HRC 55-60) with extremely soft, tough core (HRC 15-20). Maximum impact absorption. Modern designation for Ck10. Used for pins, bushings, small gears, camshaft lobes, and any carburized part where maximum core toughness and ductility are critical. Also used as cold-heading and deep-drawing wire/strip.
C45
1.0503
Medium carbon unalloyed quality steel. Good machinability and moderate strength after heat treatment. Widely used for shafts, spindles, pins, studs, and general machine parts.
| C10E | C45 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.1121 | 1.0503 |
| Category | Carbon Steel | Carbon Steel |
| Standard | EN 10084 | EN 10083-2 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | C10E | C45 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.07–0.13% | 0.42–0.5% | No overlap |
| Si | 0–0.4% | 0–0.4% | OK |
| Mn | 0.3–0.6% | 0.5–0.8% | Partial |
| P | 0–0.025% | 0–0.03% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | C10E | C45 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 310–440 | 630–780 | MPa |
| yield_strength | 180–220 | ≥ 370 | MPa |
| elongation | 28–35 | ≥ 16 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
C10E and C45 have significantly different compositions (43% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is C10E the same as C45?
C10E and C45 have a 43% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace C10E with C45?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (43% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between C10E and C45?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Mn. C10E is a Carbon Steel grade, while C45 is a Carbon Steel grade.
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.