1. Introduction
EN8 and 070M20 are widely used medium-carbon steels, but their differences in composition affect machinability, strength, and heat treatment response. Steelmet Industries supplies both grades in:
✅ Round, square, hex, and flat bars
✅ Cold-drawn bright bars (Ø 5–150mm)
✅ Precision ground/turned stock
2. Chemical Composition Comparison
| Element (%) | EN8 (1.0425) | 070M20 (1.0402) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.36–0.44 | 0.17–0.23 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.60–1.00 | 0.60–1.00 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.10–0.40 | 0.10–0.40 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.05 | ≤ 0.05 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.05 | ≤ 0.05 |
🔹 Key Difference: EN8 has 2x higher carbon than 070M20, making it stronger but less ductile.
3. Mechanical Properties
| Property | EN8 | 070M20 |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 700–850 MPa | 500–700 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 460 MPa | 350 MPa |
| Elongation | 14% | 18% |
| Hardness (BHN) | 201–255 | 170–220 |
| Machinability | Good (70% of 1214) | Excellent (85% of 1214) |
✅ EN8: Higher strength for load-bearing parts
✅ 070M20: Better formability and weldability
4. Manufacturing & Available Forms
Steelmet Industries provides both grades as:
A. Bar Products
| Form | EN8 | 070M20 |
|---|---|---|
| Hot-rolled | Ø 20–250mm | Ø 20–250mm |
| Cold-drawn | Ø 5–150mm | Ø 5–150mm |
| Peeled/Ground | Ø 10–80mm | Ø 10–80mm |
B. Typical Sections
-
Rounds, squares, hexagons
-
Flat bars (thickness: 3–50mm)
5. Applications
EN8 Best For:
-
Gears and shafts
-
High-stress bolts
-
Hydraulic components
070M20 Best For:
-
Cold-formed parts
-
Welded structures
-
General machinery components
6. Heat Treatment Response
| Process | EN8 | 070M20 |
|---|---|---|
| Quenching | Excellent (HRC 50+) | Moderate (HRC 40+) |
| Annealing | Fully spheroidized | Softened structure |
| Case Hardening | Not recommended | Suitable |
7. Dos and Don’ts
✅ DO:
-
EN8: Use for heat-treated components
-
070M20: Choose for welded/cold-formed parts
❌ DON’T:
-
Weld EN8 without pre/post-heat treatment
-
Use 070M20 for high-wear applications
8. Why Choose Steelmet Industries?
We offer:
🔹 Both grades in stock (bright bars, forgings)
🔹 Custom heat treatment (quenching, annealing)
🔹 Precision machining stock (±0.05mm tolerance)
📞 Contact us for technical datasheets or samples!
9. Equivalent Grades
| Standard | EN8 | 070M20 |
|---|---|---|
| AISI | 1040 | 1020 |
| DIN | 1.0425 | 1.0402 |
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Conclusion
While both are versatile engineering steels, EN8 excels in strength while 070M20 offers better formability. Steelmet Industries supplies both grades in all standard forms – request a quote today!
