Carbon Equivalent Calculator

Find carbon equivalent (CE) for weldability.

Carbon (C) (%)

Manganese (Mn) (%)

Chromium (Cr) (%)

Molybdenum (Mo) (%)

Vanadium (V) (%)

Nickel (Ni) (%)

Copper (Cu) (%)

Carbon equivalent 0.5

Weldability Difficult (preheat required)

Formula: CE = C + Mn/6 + (Cr+Mo+V)/5 + (Ni+Cu)/15

Step-by-step with your numbers:

1. Values used:

2. Carbon (C) = 0.2 %

3. Manganese (Mn) = 1.2 %

4. Chromium (Cr) = 0.3 %

5. Molybdenum (Mo) = 0.1 %

6. Vanadium (V) = 0 %

7. Nickel (Ni) = 0.2 %

8. Copper (Cu) = 0.1 %

10. Carbon equivalent = 0.5

11. Weldability = Difficult (preheat required)

Did we solve your problem today?

Carbon equivalent predicts susceptibility to cold cracking during welding.

The math behind it

CE(IIW) = C + Mn/6 + (Cr+Mo+V)/5 + (Ni+Cu)/15. Lower CE means easier welding.

Mild steel → ~0.38 (good).

CE ≥ 0.4?

Pre-heat and controlled cooling are recommended.