C45R vs P355NL1: 36% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
C45R vs P355NL1
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
C45R
1.1201
Unalloyed special steel with controlled sulfur (R grade, S 0.020–0.040%) and 0.45% carbon for improved machinability. Same base composition as C45E but with intentional sulfur for better chip formation. The most popular R-grade carbon steel for high-volume automated machining. Used for axles, bolts, connecting rods, spindles, 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.
| C45R | P355NL1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | 1.1201 | 1.0566 |
| Category | Carbon Steel | Carbon Steel |
| Standard | EN 10083-2 | EN 10028-3 |
Chemical composition (wt%)
| Element | C45R | 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 | C45R | P355NL1 | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tensile_strength | 580–730 | 490–630 | MPa |
| yield_strength | ≥ 305 | ≥ 355 | MPa |
| elongation | ≥ 16 | ≥ 22 | % |
Compatibility Assessment
C45R and P355NL1 have significantly different compositions (36% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is C45R the same as P355NL1?
C45R and P355NL1 have a 36% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace C45R with P355NL1?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (36% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between C45R and P355NL1?
The main differences are in the following elements: C, Mn, S. C45R 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.