C45 steel, also known as AISI 1045 steel or DIN 1.1191 steel, is a widely used medium carbon steel known for its exceptional strength, toughness, and versatility. It is a popular choice in various industrial and engineering applications due to its balanced properties.
Key characteristics and applications of C45 steel include:
- Medium Carbon Content: C45 steel typically contains a carbon content ranging from 0.42% to 0.50%. This moderate carbon level provides good hardness and strength, making it suitable for parts and components subjected to mechanical stress.
- Strength and Toughness: C45 steel offers a desirable combination of high tensile strength and impact resistance, making it suitable for applications such as gears, shafts, crankshafts, and hydraulic components.
- Machinability: One of the notable features of C45 steel is its excellent machinability. It can be easily processed through various machining techniques, including turning, milling, drilling, and grinding, allowing for efficient production of intricate components.
- Weldability: While C45 steel can be welded, it may require preheating and post-weld heat treatment to prevent cracking and ensure good weld quality.
- Heat Treatment: C45 steel can undergo various heat treatments, including quenching and tempering, to modify its mechanical properties. This flexibility allows engineers to tailor the material’s characteristics to specific project requirements.
- Versatility: C45 steel is used across a wide range of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, construction, and machinery. It is a cost-effective choice for producing critical parts that require a balance of strength, toughness, and machinability.
- Conformance to Standards: C45 steel typically complies with international standards, ensuring consistent quality and performance in various applications.
C45 Steel Plates
We supply C45 steel plates for customers who need a material that combines strength with reliable machinability. C45 plate is widely used across engineering and manufacturing because it offers a higher level of hardness than mild steel but remains workable enough for a wide range of machining and fabrication processes. Its balanced mechanical profile makes it a dependable choice for components that must withstand force, abrasion or continuous use.
C45 plate is valued for its consistency. Its carbon content gives it a predictable performance which is essential when producing parts that must meet strict tolerances or operate under mechanical stress. Whether it is used for heavy equipment, structural components or precision engineered parts, C45 plate provides a level of reliability that makes it suitable for both one off fabrications and large scale production.
Why Source C45 Plates from Us
We have supplied steel plates to the UK and international industries for more than 53 years. Our experience allows us to provide high quality C45 plate along with practical support during the selection and ordering process.
Consistent and dependable material
All C45 plate supplied by us meets recognised standards, which means customers receive material with predictable performance and consistent composition.
Strong stock availability
We carry a wide range of C45 plate thicknesses to support urgent orders and ongoing production work. Our stock levels allow us to deliver material quickly across the UK.
Accurate cutting services
We provide a cutting service to suit. This reduces manufacturing time and ensures material is ready for machining or fabrication.
Knowledgeable support
Our team can help you understand whether C45 plate is the right option for your project, or whether an alternative grade may be more suitable. We assist with guidance on heat treatment, machining and fabrication to ensure the best results.
If you need tailored advice or want to discuss your requirements, our specialists are always available to help.
Contact Us Today
If you are planning a project and need clarity on material suitability, availability or lead times, our team is here to help. We work closely with engineers, fabricators and maintenance teams every day, so we understand the practical considerations involved in choosing the right steel plate.
You do not need to have final specifications before getting in touch. Whether you are comparing grades, checking stock, or looking for guidance on processing methods, we can provide straightforward information to support your decision making.
You can contact us for:
- Material recommendations
- Current stock thickness
- Cutting and sizing options
- General technical guidance
- Order queries or updates
Speak with us to discuss what you need and we will provide clear, useful information to help move your project forward.
Frequently Asked Questions About C45 Steel
C45 is a medium carbon steel grade with good strength, hardness, and machinability. It is commonly used for mechanical components.
Yes, but welding C45 requires preheating and post-weld heat treatment to avoid cracking due to its higher carbon content
C45 is a medium carbon steel with 0.42–0.50% carbon and 0.50–0.80% manganese. It offers a good balance of strength and toughness, along with moderate wear resistance. C45 is also ductile, easy to machine, and can be heat-treated to improve hardness.
C45 and EN8 are similar medium carbon steels, but they are not exactly the same. C45 usually has slightly higher carbon content and can achieve greater hardness after heat treatment. EN8 is often preferred where improved weldability is required.
C45 plate is commonly used for machine bases, jigs, fixtures, structural components, wear sections, agricultural equipment and general engineering applications that require a material stronger than mild steel.
Yes. C45 responds very well to flame and induction hardening, which can significantly increase surface hardness while maintaining a tougher core. This is ideal for parts exposed to friction or repeated impact.
Yes. C45 has very good machinability and is often chosen for components that require precise milling, drilling, turning or CNC machining.
C45 is not corrosion resistant. Like most carbon steels, it will rust if exposed to moisture or outdoor environments without protection. Painting, oiling or coating is recommended.
C45 plate is produced in a wide range of thicknesses suitable for machining and fabrication. Availability varies, but we can supply plates in multiple sizes and cut them to your exact dimensions.
Yes. Thanks to its high tensile strength and good impact resistance, C45 is often used for components exposed to load, shock and mechanical wear.
Yes, but with care. Due to its carbon content, C45 needs controlled preheating and cooling to prevent cracking. When correct procedures are followed, C45 can be used in welded assemblies.
C45 offers a strong balance of performance and affordability. It is considerably stronger than mild steel but more economical than alloy steels, making it a cost effective choice for many engineering applications.
C45 has limited cold formability because of its carbon content. Small bends or light forming may be possible, but for significant shaping hot working is recommended.
Heat treatment can significantly increase the hardness, tensile strength and wear resistance of C45. Quenching and tempering are commonly used to achieve a tougher, more durable material.
C45 plate is used in manufacturing, automotive engineering, agricultural machinery, heavy equipment, fabrication workshops, construction and general engineering.
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Applications:
High Carbon -
Grades:
C45
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Standards:
EN10277 - 2 -
Contact Us Today
P&D Northern Steels are leading UK suppliers of C45 Steel. We have supplied C45 Steel to organisations in a variety of sectors for the last 50 years. With extensive stock levels, exceptional quality and customer service, we are experienced steel stockholders which can supply steel for a number of sectors. Please get in touch on 01706 848811 or fill in the .