C10E vs C55E: 60% composition overlap. Moderate differences, generally not direct substitutes.
C10E vs C55E
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.
C55E
1.1203
High-carbon unalloyed Q&T steel — 0.52-0.60% C. Modern designation for Ck55. Good strength after Q&T (UTS 800-950 MPa) and excellent surface hardness after induction hardening (HRC 56-60). Used for rail wheels, crankshafts, heavy-duty shafts, and wear parts.
| C10E | C55E | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.1121 | 1.1203 |
| Category | Carbon Steel | Carbon Steel |
| Standard | EN 10084 | EN 10083-2 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | C10E | C55E | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.07–0.13% | 0.52–0.6% | No overlap |
| Si | 0–0.4% | 0–0.4% | OK |
| Mn | 0.3–0.6% | 0.6–0.9% | Partial |
| P | 0–0.025% | 0–0.025% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | C10E | C55E | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 310–440 | 800–950 | MPa |
| yield_strength | 180–220 | 500–600 | MPa |
| elongation | 28–35 | 12–16 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
C10E and C55E have moderate differences (60% overlap). They are generally not direct substitutes. Consider the specific requirements of your application.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is C10E the same as C55E?
C10E and C55E have a 60% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace C10E with C55E?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (60% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between C10E and C55E?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Mn. C10E is a Carbon Steel grade, while C55E is a Carbon Steel grade.
View full data for each material:
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.