EN32 is a plain low-carbon steel with about 0.15% carbon, made to be case hardened. After carburising and quenching the surface becomes hard and wear resistant while the core stays soft and tough. It is a low-cost choice for pins, bushes, cams and light-duty gears.
Quick facts
- Type
- Low-carbon case hardening steel
- Carbon
- About 0.12–0.18%
- Case hardness
- About 58–62 HRC after carburising and quenching
- Core
- Soft and tough; lower strength than alloyed case steels
- Machinability
- Good
- Weldability
- Good before case hardening
Equivalent grades
| Standard | Grade |
|---|---|
| BS 970 | 080M15 (EN32B) |
| EN / DIN | C15, 1.0401 |
| AISI / SAE | Close to 1015 |
| IS | C15 (IS 2062 is a different, structural steel) |
Equivalents are close, not identical. Name the grade and standard on the drawing.
Typical chemical composition
| Element | % |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | About 0.12–0.18 |
| Manganese (Mn) | About 0.6–1.0 |
| Silicon (Si) | About 0.1–0.4 |
| Sulphur, phosphorus | Low |
Values are typical. The exact limits depend on the standard and supplier; ask for the mill test certificate when it matters.
Heat treatment
- Carburise at about 880–920 °C to the case depth needed
- Quench in water or oil (thin sections in oil)
- Temper at about 150–200 °C
- Typical case depth about 0.5–1.5 mm (0.0197–0.0591 inch)
EN32 or EN36 / 20MnCr5?
EN32 is cheaper and fine for small, lightly loaded parts. Alloyed case steels such as EN36, 20MnCr5 and 16MnCr5 harden more deeply and give a much stronger core, so they are chosen for gears and highly loaded parts.
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Questions
- What is EN32 used for?
- Small parts that need a hard wearing surface but no great core strength: pins, bushes, cams, rollers, levers and light-duty gears.
- What hardness does EN32 reach?
- About 58–62 HRC on the surface after carburising, quenching and low tempering. The core stays much softer.
- Can EN32 be through-hardened?
- No. With so little carbon it does not harden much on its own. It must be carburised first so the surface has enough carbon to harden.
The figures on this page are typical values for guidance, written by Diemeco from standard engineering practice. They are not a specification: confirm grades and properties with the relevant standard or the supplier's mill test certificate, and tolerances with your workshop. Last checked 16 October 2026.