Medium carbon steel contains carbon from 0.30% to 0.60%. It’s stronger and more durable than low-carbon steel, but still offers at least some ductility. Main properties of medium carbon steel are low hardenability, medium strength, ductility, and toughness.
Many automotive parts are made of medium-carbon steel. Popular applications include making shafts, axles, gears, crankshafts, couplings, forgings, rails, railway wheels, and rail axles.
This steel can be heat treated and quenched to further adjust the microstructure and mechanical properties.
BSS Spring Steel supplies medium carbon steel in grades:
Chemical Composition
| Grade | C % | Si % | Mn % | S % | P % |
| EN9 | 0.50/0.60 | 0.05/0.35 | 0.50/0.80 | 0.06max | 0.06max |
| EN45 | 0.50/0.60 | 1.50/2.00 | 0.70/1.00 | 0.05max | 0.05max |
| EN43 | 0.45/0.60 | 0.10/0.40 | 0.60/0.80 | 0.05max | 0.05max |
Our customers ask about our Medium Carbon Steel supply:
What is the composition of carbon in medium carbon steel?
At BSS we supply medium carbon steel that has a range of carbon from 35% (EN8 steel) up to 55% (EN45). Increasing the carbon content results in manganese increases. This allows medium carbon steel to be used in the quenched and tempered condition. We offer various medium carbon steels in either round or flat bar, coil, sheets, and precisely cut pieces and strips.
Is carbon steel corrosion resistant?
Short answer is no, carbon steel does rust. When carbon steels exposed to the moister, they can corrode and rust quickly. Carbon steels are not used in applications that expect humid environment.
What are medium carbon steel properties?
It’s stronger and more durable than low carbon steel but still offers at least some ductility compare with high carbon steel. Medium carbon steel may be heat-treated and then tempered to improve its mechanical properties.
