C15E vs P355NL: 38% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
C15E vs P355NL
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
C15E
1.1141
Low-carbon unalloyed case hardening steel — 0.12-0.18% C. Between C10E (softer core) and C22E (harder core) in the case-hardening range. Good balance of surface hardness (HRC 58-62) and core toughness after carburizing. Modern designation for Ck15. Used for small gears, pins, bushings, levers, and carburized parts where moderate core strength is acceptable. Also used for cold forming and deep drawing.
P355NL
1.0566
Normalized pressure vessel steel with low-temperature toughness — ReH >=355 MPa, Charpy at -40°C (KV >=27J). "NL" = Normalized + Low-temperature. Used for pressure vessels, storage tanks, and process equipment operating in cold environments (LPG, cryogenic). EN 10028-3 + PED compliant.
| C15E | P355NL | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.1141 | 1.0566 |
| Category | Carbon Steel | Carbon Steel |
| Standard | EN 10084 | EN 10028-3 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | C15E | P355NL | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.12–0.18% | 0–0.18% | OK |
| Si | 0–0.4% | 0–0.5% | OK |
| Mn | 0.3–0.6% | 1–1.7% | No overlap |
| P | 0–0.025% | — | — |
Mechanical properties
| Property | C15E | P355NL | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 350–490 | 490–630 | MPa |
| yield_strength | 210–260 | ≥ 355 | MPa |
| elongation | 25–32 | ≥ 20 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
C15E and P355NL have significantly different compositions (38% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is C15E the same as P355NL?
C15E and P355NL have a 38% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace C15E with P355NL?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (38% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between C15E and P355NL?
The main differences are in the following elements: Mn. C15E is a Carbon Steel grade, while P355NL is a Carbon Steel grade.
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.