080M40/EN8 Special Steel
A Reliable, Medium Carbon Steel for High-Strength Engineering
080M40/EN8 Special Steel—also known as EN8—is a popular medium carbon steel offering a balanced combination of strength, toughness, and machinability. At Midland Special Steels, we supply EN8 in a variety of formats and conditions, tailored to meet the demands of general engineering and industrial manufacturing.
Known for its versatility, EN8 is ideal for applications that require reliable mechanical performance without the added complexity or cost of alloy steels.
Why Choose 080M40/EN8 Special Steel?
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Good Tensile Strength – Supplied in untreated or heat-treated conditions, EN8 delivers tensile strengths typically between 550–800 MPa, depending on finish and treatment.
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Machinability – In the normalised or turned condition, EN8 machines well, making it suitable for components that require turning, milling or drilling.
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Suitable for Heat Treatment – Can be flame or induction hardened to improve wear resistance on surface-critical components.
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Excellent Dimensional Stability – Offers consistency and reliability during precision machining and fabrication.
Common Applications
080M40/EN8 Special Steel is used extensively across a wide range of engineering sectors, including:
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Automotive – Axles, shafts, studs, and gears where higher strength than mild steel is required.
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General Engineering – Keys, couplings, and machine components exposed to medium stress.
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Agricultural Equipment – Parts requiring improved wear resistance and fatigue performance.
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Tooling and Fixtures – Custom jigs, fixtures and holding devices for manufacturing environments.
Its balance of strength and machinability makes EN8 a dependable, general-purpose steel.
Available Supply Options
Midland Special Steels offers EN8 / 080M40 in various formats to suit your production needs:
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Rounds, Flats, Squares and Hex Bar
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Bright Drawn or Peeled Bar
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Black Hot Rolled Bar
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Cut-to-length and pre-machined options
We can supply this material in untreated, normalised, or quenched and tempered conditions. If you require tighter tolerances or ground finishes, our in-house processing team can deliver to your specification.
Typical Mechanical Properties (Normalised Condition)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 550–700 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~300 MPa |
| Hardness (Brinell) | 152–207 HB |
| Elongation | ~16% |
When suitably heat-treated (e.g., Q&T), EN8 can reach tensile strengths upwards of 800 MPa, with improved wear resistance on hardened surfaces.
Chemical Composition (Typical, %)
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.36–0.44 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.60–1.00 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.05 |
| Sulphur (S) | ≤ 0.05 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.05 |
EN8 conforms to BS970 (1991): 080M40 and its European equivalents, making it a trusted standard for engineering purposes across the UK and internationally.
Heat Treatment Capabilities
For applications requiring increased wear resistance or hardness, EN8 can be:
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Normalised
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Quenched and Tempered
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Induction or Flame Hardened
Our team can advise on the most appropriate heat treatment route depending on your application, load profile, and wear expectations.
Precision, Service and Technical Support
With decades of experience supplying engineering steels, Midland Special Steels is your trusted partner for high-quality EN8. We back all material with full certification, quality checks, and responsive customer service—whether you need a one-off length or scheduled bulk supply.
Need help choosing between EN8 and another grade? Our technical team can advise on material selection, processing, and finish to help you optimise performance and cost-efficiency.
Contact us today to discuss availability, pricing, or to request a custom-cut order of 080M40 / EN8 special steel.
