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What Are Engineering Steels? Complete 2025 Guide to EN8, EN9, EN19, EN24 & EN31

What Are Engineering Steels? Complete 2025 Guide to EN8, EN9, EN19, EN24 & EN31

Engineering steels—also known as specialty carbon and alloy steels—form the backbone of modern manufacturing. From automotive components to heavy machinery, oil & gas tools, shafts, gears, valves, and precision components, engineering steels are designed for strength, hardness, shock resistance, and fatigue performance.

In 2025, industries demand:

  • Higher load-bearing performance
  • Better wear resistance
  • High toughness under stress
  • Ability to withstand impact & torsion
  • Dimensional stability after machining
  • Long-term reliability

Grades like EN8, EN9, EN19, EN24, and EN31 have become extremely popular because they offer exceptional mechanical properties at competitive cost.

This complete guide breaks down what engineering steels are, how each grade performs, and which industries rely on them.

What Are Engineering Steels?

Engineering steels are specially designed steels with controlled chemical compositions to achieve:

  • Strength
  • Ductility
  • Hardness
  • Wear resistance
  • Fatigue resistance
  • Heat treatment response

They are primarily available in three categories:

  • Medium Carbon Steel (EN8, EN9)
  • Alloy Engineering Steel (EN19, EN24)
  • High Carbon Bearing Steel (EN31)

Overview of Major Engineering Steel Grades

EN8 – Medium Carbon Steel (0.40–0.45% C)

  • Offers good tensile strength
  • Excellent machinability
  • Can be induction hardened
  • Most widely used general-purpose engineering steel

EN9 – High Carbon Steel (0.50–0.60% C)

  • Higher hardness than EN8
  • Suitable for wear-resistant applications
  • Ideal for stress-loaded parts

EN19 – Alloy Steel (AISI 4140 Equivalent)

  • Chromium–Molybdenum alloy
  • Very high strength + toughness
  • Excellent fatigue resistance
  • Ideal for automotive + oil & gas

EN24 – High Strength Alloy Steel (AISI 4340 Equivalent)

  • Nickel–Chromium–Molybdenum alloy
  • Exceptional toughness & impact strength
  • Best for heavy-duty applications

EN31 – High Carbon Bearing Steel

  • Extremely high hardness
  • Excellent wear resistance
  • Best for bearings, rollers, and precision tools

Mechanical Properties Comparison

Grade Tensile Strength Hardness Toughness Wear Resistance
EN8 Medium Medium Medium Medium
EN9 Medium–High High Medium High
EN19 High High High High
EN24 Very High Very High Very High High
EN31 Very High Extremely High Medium Extremely High

Heat Treatment Capabilities

EN8

  • Can be flame or induction hardened
  • Improves wear resistance
  • Ideal for shafts & axles

EN9

  • Responds well to hardening & tempering
  • Suitable for mechanical tools & stressed components

EN19

  • Easily heat treated
  • Improves fatigue resistance
  • Excellent for gears & spindles

EN24

  • Offers the best response to heat treatment
  • Achieves exceptional combination of hardness + toughness

EN31

  • Can reach extremely high hardness
  • Used in rolling and bearing components

Applications of Engineering Steels

EN8 Applications

  • Shafts
  • Keys
  • Hubs
  • Axles
  • Bolts & studs
  • Automotive parts

EN9 Applications

  • Gears
  • Knives
  • Cutting tools
  • Crane parts
  • Wear blocks

EN19 Applications

  • Automotive crankshafts
  • Gears & pinions
  • Oilfield tools
  • Machine shafts
  • Studs & bolts

EN24 Applications

  • Aircraft landing gears
  • Heavy-duty shafts
  • Racing car components
  • Helicopter parts

EN31 Applications

  • Bearings
  • Rollers
  • Ball races
  • Dies and punches

Conclusion

Engineering steels like EN8, EN9, EN19, EN24, and EN31 play a critical role in industries that demand strength, toughness, wear resistance, and reliable performance.

They offer high mechanical strength, excellent heat treatment properties, and cost-effective performance.

For premium-quality engineering steel bars, rods, flats, tubes, forgings, and precision components, Moksh Tubes & Fittings LLP provides trusted, globally certified materials tailored for modern industrial needs.

FAQ's

Which engineering steel grade is best for general-purpose use?

EN8 — excellent balance of strength, cost, and machinability.

Which grade is strongest?

EN24 (ultimate toughness) or EN31 (ultimate hardness).

Is EN19 better than EN24?

No. EN19 is strong, but EN24 offers higher toughness and shock resistance.

Which grade is best for shafts?

EN8 for general shafts, EN19 for high-load shafts, EN24 for extreme performance shafts.

Which engineering steel grade lasts longest in wear applications?

EN31 due to its exceptional hardness.

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