C45E vs P355NL1: 59% composition overlap. Moderate differences, generally not direct substitutes.
C45E vs P355NL1
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
C45E
1.1191
Unalloyed special steel with controlled chemistry (E grade) and 0.42–0.50% carbon. Tighter P and S limits than standard C45 for improved consistency. The most widely used medium-carbon steel for quenching and tempering. Good balance of strength (620–850 MPa QT) and toughness. Through-hardening up to ø60mm. Surface hardening by induction to HRC 58. Used for shafts, gears, bolts, connecting rods, crankshafts, and general machine parts.
P355NL1
1.0566
Weldable fine-grained non-alloy steel for pressure vessels with minimum yield strength 355 MPa and impact testing at -40°C (NL1 designation). Low-temperature variant of P355NH for applications requiring guaranteed toughness at sub-zero temperatures. Used for cryogenic storage vessels, LNG/LPG tanks, and pressure equipment operating in cold environments. Equivalent to ASTM A737 Grade B.
| C45E | P355NL1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.1191 | 1.0566 |
| Category | Carbon Steel | Carbon Steel |
| Standard | EN 10083-2 | EN 10028-3 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | C45E | P355NL1 | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.42–0.5% | ≤ 0.18% | No overlap |
| Si | ≤ 0.4% | ≤ 0.5% | OK |
| Mn | 0.5–0.8% | 1.1–1.7% | No overlap |
| P | ≤ 0.025% | ≤ 0.025% | OK |
Mechanical properties
| Property | C45E | P355NL1 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 700–850 | 490–630 | MPa |
| yield_strength | ≥ 490 | ≥ 355 | MPa |
| elongation | ≥ 14 | ≥ 22 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
C45E and P355NL1 have moderate differences (59% overlap). They are generally not direct substitutes. Consider the specific requirements of your application.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is C45E the same as P355NL1?
C45E and P355NL1 have a 59% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace C45E with P355NL1?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (59% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between C45E and P355NL1?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Mn. C45E is a Carbon Steel grade, while P355NL1 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.