C55E Carbon Steel: A Complete Guide to Properties, Composition, Applications & Suppliers in India

C55E carbon steel is a high-carbon engineering steel that falls under the EN 10083-2 standard. The “E” in C55E indicates controlled sulfur and phosphorus content for enhanced machinability and consistent mechanical performance. This material is widely used in industries that demand high surface hardness, wear resistance, and reliable strength after heat treatment.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the composition, properties, heat treatment, applications, and equivalent grades of C55E carbon steel — along with leading suppliers and pricing insights in India.

🔍 What is C55E Carbon Steel?

C55E is a non-alloy high carbon steel containing approximately 0.55% carbon, designed for use in heat-treated (quenched and tempered) conditions. It provides high hardness, tensile strength, and excellent wear resistance, making it ideal for parts that undergo repetitive friction, stress, or mechanical loading.

Due to its controlled impurity levels (S & P), C55E offers better structural integrity and machinability than its standard C55 counterpart, especially important in precision-engineered applications.

🧪 Chemical Composition of C55E Carbon Steel

✅ The reduced sulfur and phosphorus improve both cleanliness and machinability.

⚙️ Mechanical Properties of C55E Steel (Typical in Normalized Condition)

🔧 Mechanical properties can be enhanced significantly through quenching and tempering.

🔥 Heat Treatment of C55E Carbon Steel

C55E steel is suitable for a range of heat treatment processes:

• Annealing: 650–700°C – to soften the material for machining.

• Normalizing: 840–880°C – to improve grain structure and mechanical uniformity.

• Hardening: 820–860°C (oil or water quench) – for high surface hardness.

• Tempering: 400–600°C – to reduce brittleness and improve toughness.

⚠️ Pre-heating is recommended before welding due to high carbon content.

🛠️ Key Features of C55E Carbon Steel

• High surface hardness after heat treatment

• Excellent wear resistance

• Good machinability (due to controlled S & P)

• Suitable for induction and flame hardening

• Moderate weldability with precautions

• Ideal for forging, machining, and hardening

🧰 Applications of C55E Carbon Steel

C55E is widely used in the production of parts requiring high hardness and strength, such as:

• Automotive components (shafts, gears, crankshafts)

• Springs and spindles

• Machine tools and dies

• Hand tools and blades

• Piston rods and fasteners

• Forged parts and industrial pins

🛞 Especially useful in dynamic and rotating components that face continuous stress.

🔁 C55E Equivalent Grades

📦 Available Forms of C55E Carbon Steel

• Hot Rolled Plates and Sheets

• Bright Drawn Bars

• Forged Bars

• Hex Bars, Flats, and Rounds

• Blocks, Billets & Custom Forgings

Available in multiple surface finishes: black, bright, rough-turned, and ground.

💰 C55E Carbon Steel Price in India (Indicative)

📌 Prices vary based on quantity, heat treatment, dimension, and delivery location.

🧭 Top Suppliers of C55E Carbon Steel in India

Looking for reliable stockists or distributors? Consider the following ISO-certified suppliers:

• Triton Alloys Inc., Mumbai

• SAIL – Steel Authority of India

• Virwadia Steels, Chennai

• Masteel India, Mumbai

• Bhansali Inc.

• Maharashtra Steel, Pune

• Jindal Steel & Power

🔎 Always request Mill Test Certificates (MTC) and third-party inspection (TPI) for quality assurance.

🏆 Why Choose C55E Over Other Carbon Steels?

• Higher hardness than C45/C50

• Better machinability due to “E” grade (lower S & P)

• Superior surface finish and cleanliness

• Cost-effective compared to alloy steels

• Available in standard and custom cut lengths

💡 Ideal for industries that demand precision, strength, and repeatable performance.

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✅ Conclusion

C55E carbon steel is a premium-grade, high-carbon steel suitable for high-stress applications requiring exceptional strength, surface hardness, and machinability. Its excellent balance of performance and affordability makes it a favorite among manufacturers and engineers across automotive, mechanical, and tool-making sectors. With good availability across India and multiple global equivalents, C55E remains a reliable and efficient choice for demanding projects.

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