XC12 Steel

Introduction

Carbon Steel XC12 is a low-carbon, non-alloy steel grade associated with the historical French AFNOR designation system. It is used for mechanical and industrial applications requiring a combination of moderate strength, good ductility, machinability, formability and weldability.

XC12 contains a slightly higher carbon level than very low-carbon grades such as XC10. This can provide somewhat higher mechanical strength while maintaining useful ductility and fabrication characteristics.

The grade is commonly compared with C12 / EN 1.0402 and, depending on the applicable product specification, with international low-carbon grades such as SAE/AISI 1015. These comparisons should not automatically be treated as direct normative equivalents. The exact relationship depends on chemical composition, product form, delivery condition and the applicable material standard.

Carbon Steel XC12 is suitable for general engineering components, machined parts, formed components and fabricated products where high hardenability is not required.

Key Features 

• Low-carbon non-alloy steel
• Historical AFNOR designation
• Relatively low carbon content
• Good ductility
• Good formability
• Good to very good weldability
• Good machinability
• Moderate mechanical strength
• Low hardenability
• Magnetic material
• Suitable for general engineering
• Suitable for machining and fabrication
• Suitable for bending and forming
• Can be used for selected carburizing applications
• Available in several product forms

Specifications

Values are general reference characteristics. The applicable product standard should be used for contractual requirements.

Equivalent Grades

Carbon Steel XC12 is commonly compared with the following grades:

Important: The grades above are comparison references and should not be treated as automatic one-to-one equivalents. Final equivalence should be confirmed against the applicable product standard and certified chemical composition.

Available Products

Carbon Steel XC12 can be supplied in several product forms according to the applicable standard and project requirements.

XC12 Round Bars

• Hot-rolled round bars
• Cold-drawn bars
• Bright bars
• Machined bars
• Precision bars
• XC12 Flat & Square Bars
• Flat bars
• Square bars
• Bright bars
• Cut-to-length bars

XC12 Sheets & Plates

• Carbon steel sheets
• Carbon steel plates
• Hot-rolled sheets
• Cold-rolled sheets
• Cut-to-size plates

XC12 Forged Components

• Forged blanks
• Mechanical components
• Custom forgings
• Forged parts according to drawings

XC12 Chemical Composition

The exact composition of historical AFNOR XC12 should be confirmed against the applicable AFNOR specification. The following is a reference composition associated with the C12 / 1.0402 family.

For engineering and procurement purposes, the certified chemical composition should always be verified through the Material Test Certificate (MTC).

Mechanical Properties

Mechanical properties depend on the product form, manufacturing process, heat treatment and delivery condition.

Typical reference characteristics for the XC12 / C12 family include:

Actual guaranteed properties must be obtained from the applicable product standard and material certificate.

Physical Properties

Physical properties may vary depending on temperature and metallurgical condition.

Types of Carbon Steel XC12 Products

XC12 Round Bars

Round bars can be used for shafts, pins, turned components, mechanical parts and general engineering applications.

XC12 Flat Bars

Flat bars are suitable for brackets, supports, fabricated components and mechanical parts.

XC12 Square Bars

Square bars are used for machining, fabricated components, supports and mechanical assemblies.

XC12 Sheets & Plates

Sheets and plates can be used for formed components, covers, supports, brackets and general industrial fabrication.

XC12 Forgings

XC12 can be considered for selected forged components requiring moderate strength and good deformation characteristics.

Corrosion Resistance

XC12 is not stainless steel and therefore does not have the inherent corrosion resistance of stainless steel grades.

When exposed to moisture, water, chemicals or outdoor environments, the material can oxidize and corrode. Surface protection may therefore be necessary.

Common protective methods include:

• Painting

• Powder coating

• Galvanizing

• Zinc coating

• Phosphating

• Black oxide

• Oil coating

• Other suitable corrosion-protection systems

For severe corrosive environments, stainless steel or corrosion-resistant alloy grades may be more appropriate.

Heat Treatment

Due to its relatively low carbon content, XC12 has limited hardenability compared with medium- and high-carbon steels.

Possible heat-treatment processes include:

Annealing

Annealing can improve ductility, reduce internal stresses and facilitate machining or forming.

Normalizing

Normalizing can produce a more uniform microstructure and modify mechanical properties.

Stress Relieving

Stress relieving may be applied following welding, forming or machining where reduction of residual stresses is required.

Carburizing

For selected mechanical applications, XC12 can be carburized to obtain a harder, wear-resistant surface while retaining a relatively ductile core.

The exact heat-treatment procedure should be established according to the product specification and intended application.

Welding

Carbon Steel XC12 has good to very good weldability due to its relatively low carbon content.

Common welding processes include:

• TIG / GTAW

• MIG / GMAW

• MAG

• SMAW

• Resistance welding

• Arc welding

Welding parameters should be selected according to material thickness, joint geometry, restraint, welding procedure and service conditions.

For thin sections, preheating may not normally be necessary, while thicker or highly restrained components may require a qualified welding procedure.

Machining

XC12 offers good machinability and can be processed using conventional machining methods.

Typical operations include:

• Turning

• Milling

• Drilling

• Boring

• Threading

• Reaming

• Sawing

• Grinding

Machining parameters should be selected according to the material condition, tooling and required dimensional accuracy.

Forming & Fabrication

The relatively low carbon content of XC12 provides good fabrication characteristics.

The material can be processed through:

• Cold bending

• Hot forming

• Press forming

• Deep drawing

• Rolling

• Stamping

• Punching

• Cutting

• Drawing

Proper control of forming parameters helps minimize cracking and dimensional distortion.

Surface Finishing

XC12 can be supplied or treated with different surface finishes depending on the application.

Common options include:

• Mill finish

• Bright finish

• Ground surface

• Polished surface

• Pickled surface

• Black oxide

• Phosphated surface

• Zinc-coated surface

• Galvanized surface

• Painted surface

The selected surface treatment should correspond to the operating environment and required corrosion protection.

Applications

Mechanical Engineering

XC12 may be used for:

• Pins

• Shafts

• Bushings

• Brackets

• Mechanical components

• Machined parts

• Formed components

Automotive Industry

Potential applications include:

• Stamped components

• Formed parts

• Small mechanical components

• Selected forged parts

• General automotive components

General Fabrication

• Supports

• Brackets

• Frames

• Fabricated components

• Welded parts

Industrial Equipment

• Machine components

• Covers

• Supports

• Mechanical assemblies

• Custom-fabricated parts

Construction

• Secondary steel components

• Supports

• Brackets

• General fabricated steel parts

Carbon Steel XC12 vs AISI 1015

This comparison is provided for technical orientation. Exact equivalence should be verified against the applicable standard, product form and MTC.

Quality & Certification

Emirerri Steel can supply Carbon Steel XC12 products with documentation according to project and purchasing requirements.

Documentation may include:

• Material Test Certificate (MTC)
• EN 10204 3.1 certification where specified
• Chemical analysis
• Mechanical test results
• Dimensional inspection
• Visual and surface inspection
• Heat-treatment records
• Traceability documentation
• Inspection reports
• Third-party inspection where specified

Products can be supplied according to applicable AFNOR, EN, DIN, ASTM and SAE/AISI requirements.

Why Choose Carbon Steel XC12?

XC12 is suitable for applications requiring:

• Low carbon content
• Good ductility
• Good weldability
• Good formability
• Moderate mechanical strength
• Good machinability
• Simple fabrication
• Low hardenability
• Surface-treatment options
• Potential for carburizing in selected applications

Conclusion

Carbon Steel XC12 is a low-carbon, non-alloy steel suitable for applications requiring a balance of ductility, formability, weldability, machinability and moderate mechanical strength.

Compared with very low-carbon grades, its slightly higher carbon content can provide increased strength while retaining useful fabrication characteristics.

XC12 is commonly compared with C12, EN 1.0402 and SAE/AISI 1015, although exact equivalence must be verified based on the applicable material standard, product form, chemical composition and material certificate.

Emirerri Steel supplies carbon steel products including round bars, flat bars, square bars, sheets, plates and fabricated components according to customer specifications and applicable international standards for industrial markets in Tunisia, North Africa and international destinations.