Carbon Steel En8

EN8 carbon steel is widely used in engineering and industrial fields due to its excellent balance of strength, toughness, and wear resistance. It performs reliably under medium to high stress and is suitable for components that require good mechanical performance without the need for alloying additions. Common Applications: Shafts – Used in automotive and machinery components that require high strength and fatigue resistance. Gears and Pinions – Ideal for parts needing good wear resistance and surface hardness. Axles and Spindles – Suitable for rotating and load-bearing parts. Studs and Bolts – Provides strong and durable fasteners for mechanical assemblies. Crankshafts and Connecting Rods – Performs well in applications subjected to torsional and impact loads. Machine Tool Components – Used in precision parts requiring a balance of strength and machinability. Keys and Couplings – Commonly used in mechanical joints due to its toughness. Automotive Parts – Widely applied in suspension, transmission, and steering components. General Engineering Uses – Suitable for medium-duty mechanical parts requiring moderate hardness and strength.

EN8 carbon steel offers a good balance between hardness and toughness, depending on its heat treatment condition. Annealed Condition: Approximately 170–210 HB (Brinell Hardness) Normalized Condition: Around 200–250 HB Hardened and Tempered Condition: Up to 45–50 HRC (Rockwell Hardness) This hardness range provides excellent wear resistance and strength, making EN8 suitable for components such as shafts, gears, and axles that experience continuous friction and mechanical stress.

EN8 responds well to a variety of heat treatment processes that enhance its mechanical properties such as hardness, strength, and toughness. 1. Annealing: Heat slowly to 830–850°C, hold until the material is uniformly heated, and then cool slowly in the furnace. This process softens the steel, improving machinability and relieving internal stresses. 2. Normalizing: Heat to 860–900°C, followed by air cooling. Normalizing refines the grain structure, improves toughness, and restores mechanical balance after machining or forging. 3. Hardening (Quenching): Heat to 820–860°C, then quench in oil or water. This process increases hardness and tensile strength, suitable for wear-resistant components. 4. Tempering: After quenching, temper at 550–660°C, depending on the desired hardness and toughness balance. Tempering reduces brittleness while maintaining strength and durability.

EN8 carbon steel can be successfully hardened to improve its surface strength, wear resistance, and fatigue life while maintaining a tough core. Process Steps: Preheating: Slowly heat the steel to 820–860°C to ensure uniform temperature throughout the section. Quenching: Once the desired temperature is reached, quench the steel in oil or water to rapidly cool it. Tempering: After quenching, it is essential to temper the steel at 550–660°C to relieve internal stresses and reduce brittleness. Result: Hardness achieved after hardening: up to 45–50 HRC (Rockwell Hardness). Provides excellent wear resistance, strength, and durability, making it ideal for shafts, gears, studs, and axles.

Welding EN8 carbon steel requires careful control of heat input and preheating, as its medium carbon content can cause cracking if not handled properly. Welding Guidelines: Preheating: Preheat the material to around 150–300°C before welding to reduce the risk of thermal cracking. Welding Process: EN8 can be welded using MMA (Manual Metal Arc), TIG, or MIG methods with low-hydrogen electrodes or filler wires. Avoid excessive heat during welding to prevent grain growth and distortion. Post-Weld Heat Treatment (PWHT): After welding, stress-relieve at 550–660°C to minimize residual stresses and restore ductility. Precautions: Ensure surfaces are clean and free from oil, rust, or scale before welding. Avoid rapid cooling after welding to prevent cracking.

EN8 carbon steel offers good machinability, especially in its normalized or annealed condition. It is widely used in machining operations such as turning, milling, drilling, and threading due to its balanced hardness and toughness. Machining Characteristics: In the annealed state, EN8 machines easily with standard high-speed steel (HSS) or carbide tools. When hardened, the machinability decreases, so carbide-tipped or coated tools are recommended. Coolants or cutting fluids should be used to prevent tool wear and maintain a fine surface finish. EN8 responds well to grinding and polishing, allowing for precise dimensional accuracy. Machinability Rating: Approximate machinability rating: 60–65% (based on free-cutting steel = 100%)

We are a leading dealer, supplier, stockist, and distributor of Carbon Steel EN8, offering premium quality materials that meet international standards (EN, DIN, ASTM, IS). Our EN8 carbon steel products are sourced from reliable manufacturers and approved mills, ensuring consistent performance, durability, and precision. The material is available in both normalized and heat-treated conditions, suitable for a wide range of industrial uses.