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Cold Heading Steel

Overview

Cold heading steel, known in Chinese standards as steel for cold heading and cold extrusion, is a specialized material used extensively in the production of screws, pins, nuts, and other fasteners through the cold heading process. This process involves shaping metal at room temperature using one or more impacts, making it a cost-effective and efficient manufacturing method that improves material utilization and performance through work hardening. Since the 1980s, Chinese state-owned steel mills have been developing cold heading steel, advancing the production techniques and quality standards. Continuous research and development have led to improved performance and broader applications.

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Characteristics

Cold heading steel is categorized into non-heat-treated, surface-hardening, tempered, and boron-containing tempered types based on its chemical composition. Key characteristics include:

High Cleanliness: The steel must have low levels of impurities such as sulfur (S) and phosphorus (P).

Surface Quality: Strict surface quality requirements to prevent defects during forming.

Spheroidizing Annealing: For steels with carbon content above 0.25%, spheroidizing annealing is required to enhance cold heading performance.

Controlled Composition: Low and medium carbon quality carbon structural steels and quality alloy structural steels are commonly used, with controlled silicon (Si) and aluminum (Al) contents to avoid martensite, bainite, and Widmanstätten structures.

The cold heading process offers several benefits over traditional hot rolling and machining:

Material Savings: Reduces material waste by up to 30%.

Enhanced Mechanical Properties: Work hardening increases tensile strength and performance.

Improved Dimensional Accuracy: Produces components with high precision and surface finish.

Increased Productivity: Faster production rates compared to traditional machining.

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Production Process

Cold heading steel is produced using advanced manufacturing techniques to ensure high performance and quality:

Raw Material Selection: High-quality carbon and alloy steels are chosen for their purity and composition.

Controlled Rolling and Cooling: This process ensures a fine-grain structure and spheroidized carbide distribution, improving plasticity and cold heading performance.

Heat Treatment: Includes spheroidizing annealing to enhance formability.

Surface Treatment: The steel undergoes rigorous surface treatments to meet strict quality standards.

Applications

Cold heading steel is used in various industries due to its excellent cold forming properties:

Automotive Industry: For manufacturing fasteners, bolts, and screws that require high strength and precision.

Shipbuilding: Utilized in producing critical components that demand durability and reliability.

Machinery Manufacturing: Used for various mechanical parts and fasteners.

Electronics and Appliances: For small precision components and fasteners.

Construction: Employed in producing fasteners and connectors for lightweight steel structures.

Common Sizes

Hot-Rolled Round Bar:

Diameter: φ12-100mm

Length: 4-12m

Chemical Composition

①　Non-Heat-Treated Steel for Cold Heading and Cold Extrusion
NO.	Grade	Chemical Composition (Mass Fraction) /%
NO.	Grade	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Alt^a
1	ML04Al	≤0.06	≤0.10	0.20~0.40	≤0.035	≤0.035	≥0.020
2	ML06Al	≤0.08	≤0.10	0.30~0.60	≤0.035	≤0.035	≥0.020
3	MI08AI	0.05~0.10	≤0.10	0.30~0.60	≤0.035	≤0.035	≥0.020
4	ML10Al	0.08~0.13	≤0.10	0.30~0.60	≤0.035	≤0.035	≥0.020
5	ML10	0.08~0.13	0.10~0.30	0.30~0.60	≤0.035	≤0.035
6	ML12Al	0.10~0.15	≤0.10	0.30~0.60	≤0.035	≤0.035	≥0.020
7	ML12	0.10~0.15	0.10~0.30	0.30~0.60	≤0.035	≤0.035	—
8	ML15Al	0.13~0.18	≤0.10	0.30~0.60	≤0.035	≤0.035	≥0.020
9	ML15	0.13~0.18	0.10~0.30	0.30~0.60	≤0.035	≤0.035
10	ML20Al	0.18~0.23	≤0.10	0.30~0.60	≤0.035	≤0.035	≥0.020
11	ML20	0.18~0.23	0.10~0.30	0.30~0.60	≤0.035	≤0.035	—
When measuring acid-soluble aluminum (Als), Als should be ≥0.015%.

②　Surface Hardening Steel for Cold Heading and Cold Extrusion
NO.	Grade	Chemical Composition (Mass Fraction) /%
NO.	Grade	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Cr	Alta
1	ML18Mn	0.15~0.20	≤0.10	0.60~0.90	≤0.030	≤0.035		≥0.020
2	ML20Mn	0.18~0.23	≤0.10	0.70~1.00	≤0.030	≤0.035	—	≥0.020
3	ML15Cr	0.13~0.18	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.035	≤0.035	0.90~1.20	≥0.020
4	ML20Cr	0.18~0.23	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.035	≤0.035	0.90~1.20	≥0.020
In Table ①, grades 4 to 11 are also suitable for surface hardening steels.
When measuring acid-soluble aluminum (Als), Als should be ≥0.015%.

③　Quenched and Tempered Steel for Cold Heading and Cold Extrusion
NO.	Grade	Chemical Composition (Mass Fraction) /%
NO.	Grade	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Cr	Mo
1	ML25	0.23~0.28	0.10~0.30	0.30~0.60	≤0.025	≤0.025
2	ML30	0.28~0.33	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.025	≤0.025
3	ML35	0.33~0.38	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.025	≤0.025
4	ML40	0.38~0.43	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.025	≤0.025
5	ML45	0.43~0.48	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.025	≤0.025
6	ML15Mn	0.14~0.20	0.10~0.30	1.20~1.60	≤0.025	≤0.025
7	ML25Mn	0.23~0.28	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.025	≤0.025
8	ML30Cr	0.28~0.33	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.025	≤0.025	0.90~1.20
9	ML35Cr	0.33~0.38	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.025	≤0.025	0.90~1.20
10	ML40Cr	0.38~0.43	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.025	≤0.025	0.90~1.20
11	ML45Cr	0.43~0.48	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.025	≤0.025	0.90~1.20
12	ML20CrMo	0.18~0.23	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.025	≤0.025	0.90~1.20	0.15~0.30
13	ML25CrMo	0.23~0.28	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.025	≤0.025	0.90~1.20	0.15~0.30
14	ML30CrMo	0.28~0.33	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.025	≤0.025	0.90~1.20	0.15~0.30
15	ML35CrMo	0.33~0.38	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.025	≤0.025	0.90~1.20	0.15~0.30
16	ML40CrMo	0.38~0.43	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.025	≤0.025	0.90~1.20	0.15~0.30
17	ML45CrMo	0.43~0.48	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤0.025	≤0.025	0.90~1.20	0.15~0.30

④　Boron-Containing Quenched and Tempered Steel for Cold Heading and Cold Extrusion
NO.	Grade	Chemical Composition (Mass Fraction) /%
NO.	Grade	C	Si^a	Mn	P	S	B^b	Alt^c	Others
1	ML20B	0.18~0.23	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90	≤ 0.025	≤ 0.025	0.0008~0.0035	≥ 0.020
2	ML25B	0.23~0.28	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90
3	ML30B	0.28~0.33	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90
4	ML35B	0.33~0.38	0.10~0.30	0.60~0.90
5	ML15MnB	0.14~0.20	0.10~0.30	1.20~1.60
6	ML20MnB	0.18~0.23	0.10~0.30	0.80~1.10
7	ML25MnB	0.23~0.28	0.10~0.30	0.90~1.20					—
8	ML30MnB	0.28~0.33	0.10~0.30	0.90~1.20
9	ML35MnB	0.33~0.38	0.10~0.30	1.10~1.40
10	ML40MnB	0.38~0.43	0.10~0.30	1.10~1.40
11	ML37CrB	0.34~0.41	0.10~0.30	0.50~0.80					Cr:0.20~0.40
12	ML15MnVB	0.13~0.18	0.10~0.30	1.20~1.60					V:0.07~0.12
13	ML20MnVB	0.18~0.23	0.10~0.30	1.20~1.60	≤ 0.025	≤ 0.025	0.0008~ 0.0035	≥ 0.020	V:0.07~0.12
14	ML20MnTiB	0.18~0.23	0.10~0.30	1.30~1.60	≤ 0.025	≤ 0.025	0.0008~ 0.0035	≥ 0.020	Ti:0.04~0.10
Through consultation between the supplier and the buyer, the lower limit of silicon content can be less than 0.10%. If the hardenability and mechanical properties meet the requirements, the lower limit of boron content can be relaxed to 0.0005%. When measuring acid-soluble aluminum (Als), Als should be ≥ 0.015%.

⑤　Non-Quenched and Tempered Steel for Cold Heading and Cold Extrusion
NO.	Grade	Chemical Composition (Mass Fraction) /%
NO.	Grade	C	Si	Mn	P	S	Nb	V
1	MFT8	0.16~0.26	≤0.30	1.20~1.60	≤0.025	≤0.015	≤0.10	≤0.08
2	MFT9	0.18~0.26	≤0.30	1.20~1.60	≤0.025	≤0.015	≤0.10	≤0.08
3	MFT10	0.08~0.14	0.20~0.35	1.90~2.30	≤0.025	≤0.015	≤0.20	≤0.10
According to the requirements of different strength levels and specifications, elements such as Cr and B can be added.

Comparison Table of Steel Grades by Country

①　Non-Heat-Treated Steel for Cold Heading and Cold Extrusion
GB	GB/T 6478 -2001	ISO 4954 1993	EN 10263-2: 2001	JIS G3507-1: 2010	ASTM A29/ A29M-12
ML04Al	ML04Al	CC4A	C4C	—	1005
ML06Al	—	—	—	SWRCH6A	1006
ML08Al	ML08Al	CC8A	C8C	SWRCH8A	1008
ML10Al	ML10Al	CC11A	C10C	SWRCH10A	1010
ML10		CC11A	C10C	SWRCH10K	1010
ML12Al			—	SWRCH12A	1012
ML12				SWRCH12K	1012
ML15Al	ML15Al	CC15A	C15C	SWRCH15A	1015
ML15	ML15	CC15K	C15C	SWRCH15K	1015
ML20Al	ML20Al	CC21A	C20C	SWRCH20A	1020
ML20	ML20	CC21K	C20C	SWRCH20K	1020

②　Surface Hardening Steel for Cold Heading and Cold Extrusion
GB	GB/T 6478 -2001	ISO 4954: 1993	EN 10263-2 2001	JIS G3507-1: 2010	ASTM A29/ A29M-12
ML18Mn	ML18Mn	CE16E4	C17E2C	SWRCH18A	1018
ML20Mn	ML22Mn	CE20E4	C17E2C	SWRCH22A	1022
ML15Cr			—	SCr415	5115
ML20Cr	ML20Cr	20Cr4E	17Cr3	SCr420	5120

③　Quenched and Tempered Steel for Cold Heading and Cold Extrusion
GB	GB/T 6478 -2001	ISO 4954: 1993	EN 10263-4: 2001	JIS G3507-1: 2010	ASTM A29/ A29M-12
ML25	ML25			SWRCH25K	1025
ML30	ML30Mn	CE28E4		SWRCH30K	1030
ML35	ML35Mn	CE35E4	C35EC	SWRCH35K	1035
ML40	ML40	CE40E4		SWRCH40K	1040
ML45	ML45	CE45E4	C45EC	SWRCH45K	1045
ML25Mn	ML25Mn	CE28E4		SWRCH25K	1026

④　Boron-Containing Quenched and Tempered Steel for Cold Heading and Cold Extrusion
GB	GB/T 6478 -2001	ISO4954 1993	EN 10263-2: 2001	JIS G4053: 2008	ASTM A29/ A29M-12
ML30Cr			—	SCr430	5130
ML35Cr	ML37Cr	34Cr4E	34Cr4	SCr435	5135
ML40Cr	ML40Cr	41Cr4E	41Cr4	SCr440	5140
ML45Cr	—		—	SCr445	5145
ML20CrMo	—	—	—	SCM420	4120
ML25CrMo	—	25CrMo4E	25CrMo4	SCM425	—
ML30CrMo	ML30CrMo			SCM430	4130
ML35CrMo	ML35CrMo	34CrMo4E	34CrMo4	SCM435	4135
ML40CrMo	ML42CrMo	42CrMo4E	42CrMo4	SCM440	4140
ML45CrMo	—		—	SCM445	4145

⑤　Non-Quenched and Tempered Steel for Cold Heading and Cold Extrusion
GB	GB/T 6478 -2001	ISO 4954: 1993	EN 10263-4: 2001	JIS G3508-1: 2010	ASTM A29/A29M-12 ASTM A510/A510M-13
ML20B	ML20B	CE20BG1	17B2	SWRCHB223	10B21
ML25B		—	25B2	SWRCHB526	10B26
ML30B	ML28B	CE28B	28B2	SWRCHB331	10B30
ML35B	ML35B	CE35B	38B2	SWRCHB234	10B35
ML15MnB	ML15MnB	—	17MnB4	SWRCHB620	—
ML20MnB	ML20MnB	CE20BG2	20MnB4	SWRCHB320	10B22
ML25MnB	—	—	27MnB4、23MnB4	SWRCHB526	—
ML30MnB			30MnB4	SWRCHB331	—
ML35MnB	ML35MnB	35MnB5E	37MnB5	SWRCHB734	—
ML40MnB	—		——	—	—
ML37CrB	——	37CrB1E	—	—
ML20MnTiB	ML20MnTiB		—	—	—
ML15MnVB	ML15MnVB	—	—	—	—
ML20MnVB	ML20MnVB	—	—	—	—

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