Medium Carbon Steel Plates for Engineering & Machined Components
C45 steel plates (equivalent to SAE 1045) are widely used medium carbon steel plates for engineering applications requiring higher strength, hardness, and wear resistance than mild steel, while still maintaining good machinability. At Sharoff Steel Suppliers, C45 plates are supplied primarily for plate-based engineering applications, including machined parts, bases, and load-bearing components, where carbon steel performance is sufficient and alloy steels are not required.
C45 is a plain medium carbon steel with approximately 0.42–0.50% carbon, offering:
• Higher mechanical strength than IS 2062 mild steel
• Improved wear resistance
• Good machinability in plate form
• Strong response to heat treatment
C45 steel plates are commonly supplied in as-rolled or normalized condition.
| Element | Typical % |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.42 – 0.50 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.50 – 0.80 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.40 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.045 |
| Sulphur (S) | ≤ 0.045 |
Exact limits vary by standard and mill practice. Always verify MTC.
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 570 – 700 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~310 MPa |
| Brinell Hardness (as supplied) | 170 – 210 HB |
• Indicates wear resistance capability
• Impacts machinability and tool life
• Helps select appropriate heat treatment
• Avoids under- or over-specification
| Parameter | Mild Steel (IS 2062) | C45 Steel Plates |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon content | Low | Medium |
| Strength | Moderate | Higher |
| Hardness | Low | Medium |
| Machinability | Good | Good |
| Typical use | Structural | Engineering plates |
C45 plates are selected when:
• Mild steel plates are too soft
• Components require machining after cutting
• Moderate wear resistance is needed
• Cost needs to be controlled versus alloy steels
C45 offers a balanced combination of strength, hardness, and cost.
Engineering & Machining
• Base plates
• Machined components
• Press plates
Industrial Fabrication
• Wear plates (non-abrasive duty)
• Structural parts requiring machining
Automotive & Equipment
• Axles
• Crank components (light to medium duty)
• Forged and machined plates
C45 steel plates can be:
• Normalized – improves structure uniformity
• Quenched & tempered – increases strength and hardness
• Surface hardened – improves wear resistance
Heat treatment selection depends on service duty and performance requirement.
Sharoff Steel Suppliers supplies C45 steel plates in:
• Plates
• Cut-to-size pieces
• Machining-ready blanks
All material is supplied with Mill Test Certificates (MTCs).
Before ordering C45 steel plates, confirm:
• Required standard (C45 / SAE 1045)
• Plate thickness and dimensions
• Delivery condition (as rolled / normalized / Q&T)
• Brinell hardness requirement (if specified)
• Machining allowance
• MTC and traceability requirements
Clear specification prevents machining issues and performance mismatch.
| Aspect | EN8 Steel Plates | C45 Steel Plates |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon content | Slightly lower | Slightly higher |
| Hardness | Medium | Higher |
| Heat treatment response | Moderate | Better |
| Typical use | Fabrication + machining | Machining-dominant plates |
👉C45 is preferred when higher hardness and heat-treatment response are required.
• Reliable sourcing of engineering-grade plates
• Consistent hardness suitable for machining
• Cut-to-size supply to reduce scrap and rework
• Clear guidance on when C45 is sufficient vs when alloy steel is required
We focus on correct material selection, not unnecessary upgrades.
Is C45 stronger than EN8?
C45 generally offers slightly higher hardness and better heat treatment response than EN8.
Is C45 suitable for welding?
Yes, with pre-heating and controlled welding procedures.
Can C45 plates be heat treated after machining?
Yes. C45 responds well to quenching and tempering.
C45 steel plates are a versatile engineering material offering higher strength and hardness than mild steel, without the cost of alloy steels. When specified and supplied correctly, they perform reliably across a wide range of machining and fabrication applications. At Sharoff Steel Suppliers, C45 plates are supplied with technical clarity, consistent quality, and procurement confidence.