Ovako C55E EN10083-2:2006 (ref) Steel, +A

Ovako C55E EN10083-2:2006 (ref) Steel, +A Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Ovako C55E EN10083-2:2006 (ref) Steel, +A Synonyms -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Ovako C55E EN10083-2:2006 (ref) Steel, +A Product Information -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: # **Product Introduction: Ovako C55E EN 10083-2:2006 (ref) Steel, +A Condition** **Ovako C55E EN 10083-2:2006 (ref), +A** is a **high-carbon, non-alloy quality steel** supplied by Ovako in the **annealed (+A) condition**, in reference to the European standard EN 10083-2. The **"+A"** designation explicitly specifies that the material has undergone a full annealing heat treatment at the mill to achieve a soft, uniform microstructure, providing optimal conditions for machining prior to the customer's final hardening process. This product is specifically engineered to bridge the gap between the high hardness potential of C55E steel and the practical necessity of machining complex geometries. The annealing process refines the grain structure, reduces hardness, relieves internal stresses, and maximizes ductility, making this otherwise difficult-to-machine high-carbon steel workable for precision component manufacturing. --- ## **1. Chemical Composition (Per EN 10083-2:2006 - Grade 1.1203/C55E)** The composition conforms to the standard specifications for the C55E grade, characterized by its elevated carbon content. | Element | Carbon (C) | Silicon (Si) | Manganese (Mn) | Phosphorus (P) | Sulfur (S) | Chromium (Cr)* | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **EN 10083-2 Limits for C55E** | 0.52 - 0.60 | ≤ 0.40 | 0.60 - 0.90 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.035 | ≤ 0.40 | | **Ovako Typical in +A Condition** | 0.54 - 0.58 | 0.15 - 0.30 | 0.65 - 0.85 | **≤ 0.025** | **≤ 0.020** | ≤ 0.25 | | **Key Role** | **Primary source of final hardness.** | Deoxidizer. | Provides base hardenability. | **Controlled low level for toughness.** | **Controlled for machinability.** | Residual, aids consistency. | **Critical Features of the +A (Annealed) Condition:** * **High Carbon Base:** The core characteristic that enables final hardness values of 55-62 HRC after quenching and tempering. * **Annealing Process:** The steel is heated above its upper critical temperature (Ac3) and slowly cooled in the furnace. This produces a **coarse pearlitic or spheroidized microstructure** (depending on the exact cycle), which is the **softest possible state** for this steel chemistry. * **Purpose-Built for Machining:** The +A condition is not intended for service. Its sole purpose is to **minimize hardness and tool wear**, enabling cost-effective and precise machining (turning, milling, drilling, grinding) of components that will later be hardened. * **Stress Relief:** Eliminates internal stresses from the rolling process, enhancing dimensional stability during machining. --- ## **2. Physical & Mechanical Properties (+A Condition)** Properties in the annealed state are optimized for manufacturability, not for in-service performance. | Property | **Guaranteed / Typical Values - +A Condition** | **Technical Significance** | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Hardness** | **≤ 212 HB** (Typically **170 - 200 HB**) | **Key deliverable:** Significantly reduced from the normalized (~250 HB) or hardened state (>55 HRC). | | **Tensile Strength (Rm)** | **550 - 700 MPa** | Low relative to its potential, suitable for machining. | | **Yield Strength (Rp0.2)** | **≥ 300 MPa** | | | **Elongation (A₅)** | **≥ 16%** | **High ductility,** allowing for some minor cold forming if required. | | **Reduction of Area (Z)** | **≥ 40%** | | | **Microstructure** | **Coarse pearlite or spheroidized cementite in a ferritic matrix.** | The defining soft microstructure enabling machinability. | | **Machinability** | **Fair to Good (for a high-carbon steel).** The annealed structure provides the best possible machinability for C55E. Tool life and surface finish are acceptable, though not as good as for free-cutting steels. Chip control can be an issue (stringy chips). | **Primary reason for specifying +A.** | | **Dimensional Stability** | Excellent. The full annealing cycle provides thorough stress relief. | Minimizes the risk of part distortion during and after machining operations. | **Final Properties (After Customer Hardening):** *To achieve service performance, components must be quenched and tempered.* * **Hardness:** 55 - 62 HRC (depending on tempering) * **Tensile Strength (Rm):** 1800 - 2200 MPa * **Toughness:** Low (characteristic of hardened high-carbon steel). Design must avoid impact and notch sensitivity. --- ## **3. Product Applications** Ovako C55E +A is specified for **precision components requiring extensive machining** that will later be heat-treated to achieve maximum wear resistance. * **Tooling & Die Components:** **Complex punches, forming dies, cutting blades, and gauges** requiring intricate machining before final hardening. * **High-Wear Automotive Parts:** **Camshafts, tappets, valve train components, and clutch parts** with precise dimensional tolerances. * **Machine Tool Elements:** **Lead screws, precision guide rods, and spindle shafts** that are finish-machined before surface hardening. * **Industrial Knives & Wear Parts:** **Blades, shear knives, and wear plates** that are machined to shape prior to hardening. * **Gear Blanks:** **Pre-machined gear blanks** ready for tooth cutting and subsequent case hardening or through-hardening. --- ## **4. International & Equivalent Standards** The "+A" condition is a standardized delivery condition within European and international norms. | Standard System | Equivalent Grade & Condition | **Relationship / Note** | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Ovako Specification** | **C55E EN 10083-2 (ref), +A** | The exact product specification. | | **EN 10083-2** | **1.1203 (C55E)** + **Delivery Condition +A** | The governing standard. "+A" is the formal code for "annealed". | | **DIN** | **1.1203 (Ck55) + geglüht** | German for "annealed". | | **ASTM A29/A29M** | **Grade 1055, Annealed** | U.S. equivalent grade and condition. | | **JIS G4051** | **S55C, Annealed** | Japanese equivalent. | | **GB/T 699** | **55# Steel, Annealed** | Chinese equivalent. | | **Common Alternative** | **+S (Softened)** | Often used synonymously with +A, though +S can imply a specific spheroidizing anneal. | **Key Distinction:** Explicitly specifying **"+A" is crucial.** Ordering "C55E" without a condition code will typically result in delivery in a **normalized (+N) condition**, which is harder (≥225 HB) and much more demanding to machine, leading to increased production costs and potential quality issues. The +A condition is a **value-added, customer-oriented processing step**. --- ## **5. Key Advantages & Considerations** **Advantages:** * **Optimal Machinability for the Grade:** Provides the softest, most uniform structure for C55E, maximizing tool life and enabling complex machining operations. * **Superior Dimensional Stability:** The full anneal effectively relieves rolling stresses, reducing the risk of distortion during and after machining. * **Enables Precision Manufacturing:** Makes it economically feasible to produce high-precision parts from high-carbon steel. * **Predictable Material Behavior:** Consistent microstructure leads to predictable cutting forces and chip formation. **Considerations:** * **Additional Cost:** The annealing process adds to the base material cost. * **Mandatory Final Heat Treatment:** The material is **not functional in the +A state** for wear applications. Customer hardening (Q&T) is an absolute requirement. * **Potential for Decarburization:** The annealing process can cause a thin surface layer of decarburization. For critical dimensions or surfaces, additional machining allowance may be required to remove this layer before hardening. * **Stringy Chips:** May produce long, continuous chips during turning operations, requiring appropriate tool geometries or chip breakers. --- **Disclaimer:** The **"+A" condition is specified solely for the purpose of machining.** All design calculations and performance validations **must be based on the mechanical properties attained after the customer's final quenching and tempering process.** It is essential to: 1. **Explicitly state "+A" or "Annealed" in the purchase order.** 2. **Obtain and follow Ovako's recommended heat treatment parameters** for austenitizing, quenching, and tempering this specific grade to achieve the desired final hardness and properties. 3. **Conduct process validation** using sample parts to ensure the combined cycle of machining and heat treatment yields components that meet all dimensional and performance specifications. -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Ovako C55E EN10083-2:2006 (ref) Steel, +A Specification Dimensions Size： Diameter 20-1000 mm Length <5093 mm Size:We can customized as required Standard： Per your request or drawing We can customized as required Properties（Theoretical） Chemical Composition -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Ovako C55E EN10083-2:2006 (ref) Steel, +A Properties -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Applications of Ovako C55E EN10083-2:2006 (ref) Steel, +A -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Chemical Identifiers Ovako C55E EN10083-2:2006 (ref) Steel, +A -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -:

Packing of Ovako C55E EN10083-2:2006 (ref) Steel, +A -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Standard Packing: -:- For detailed product information, please contact sales. -: Typical bulk packaging includes palletized plastic 5 gallon/25 kg. pails, fiber and steel drums to 1 ton super sacks in full container (FCL) or truck load (T/L) quantities. Research and sample quantities and hygroscopic, oxidizing or other air sensitive materials may be packaged under argon or vacuum. Solutions are packaged in polypropylene, plastic or glass jars up to palletized 1564 gallon liquid totes Special package is available on request. E FORUs’ is carefully handled to minimize damage during storage and transportation and to preserve the quality of our products in their original condition