Materials database

The most common structural carbon steel in the US. Low carbon content with good weldability and machinability. Used for buildings, bridges, construction equipment, and general structural purposes. Minimum yield strength 36 ksi (250 MPa).

The most widely used structural steel grade in the United States. 345 MPa (50 ksi) yield strength HSLA steel. Has largely replaced A36 for structural applications due to higher strength-to-weight ratio. Used for building frames, bridges, heavy equipment, and general structural fabrication.

General-purpose engineering structural steel — ReH >=295 MPa. Formerly St 50-2 (DIN 17100). Higher strength than S235 but not intended for welded structures (higher C, no guaranteed weldability). Used for machine bases, frames, pins, keys, and general engineering parts where moderate strength without welding is sufficient. Not suitable for cold forming.

Highest-strength unalloyed structural steel in EN 10025-2 — former designation St60-2 (DIN 17100). Higher C and Mn than S355 giving UTS 570-710 MPa. Not intended for welding (high CEV). Used for shafts, axles, bolts, and machine parts where weldability is not required but higher strength than S355 is needed. "E" designates engineering steel (vs "S" for structural).

Highest-strength unalloyed structural steel in EN 10025-2 — ReH ≥360 MPa minimum. Not intended for welding (high C ~0.57%). Used for general engineering where maximum unalloyed strength is needed without heat treatment: machine beds, crane components, wear plates, and structural members not requiring welding. Formerly St 70-2 (DIN 17100).

The cheapest and lowest-grade structural steel in EN 10025-1. Only tensile strength is guaranteed (290-510 MPa), no guaranteed yield strength, composition, or impact toughness. Used for non-critical structural applications, fences, lightweight frameworks, and temporary structures where only minimum strength is needed.

Basic structural steel with guaranteed Charpy impact at 0°C (KV >=27J). Better low-temperature toughness than S235JR (which only guarantees 27J at +20°C). Same strength class (ReH >=235 MPa). Used for general structural applications in moderate climates: building frames, bridges, storage tanks, and platforms. Very widely available and cost-effective.

Basic structural steel with guaranteed -20°C impact toughness. The toughest variant in the S235 family (J2 = 27J at -20°C). Used for welded structures in moderately cold environments, general structural fabrication, and applications where S235JR's 20°C impact is insufficient.

General-purpose structural steel with minimum yield strength of 235 MPa. The most common structural steel grade in Europe for general construction, frames, and non-critical structural applications.

Normalized condition variant of S235JR — the most common European structural steel in normalized (+N) delivery condition. Normalization at ~920°C provides refined grain structure, improved impact toughness (27J at 20°C), and more uniform mechanical properties through the cross-section compared to as-rolled material. Required by EN 1090 for structural steelwork execution class EXC3/EXC4. Same composition as S235JR but guaranteed normalized delivery. Used for bridges, buildings, crane structures, and safety-critical fabrications requiring reliable toughness.

Structural steel with guaranteed Charpy impact at 0°C (KV >=27J). Between S235J0 and S355J0 in the strength range. ReH >=275 MPa. Very widely used in European construction: building frames, columns, beams, and general structural applications. Good weldability. Often specified as standard section material (IPE, HEA, UPN profiles).

Structural steel with 275 MPa yield and guaranteed -20°C impact toughness. Mid-range in the EN 10025-2 structural series. Used for general welded structures, cranes, conveyor frames, and building steelwork in moderate cold-climate environments.

Medium-strength structural steel with minimum yield strength of 275 MPa. Bridges the gap between S235JR and S355JR. Used for general structural applications, lattice towers, masts, and light crane components. Impact tested at +20°C (JR).

Thermomechanically rolled weldable fine-grained structural steel with minimum yield strength 275 MPa. M designation indicates TMCP (thermo-mechanical control process) delivery condition. Offers superior weldability compared to normalized grades due to lower carbon equivalent. No post-weld heat treatment needed for most applications. Used for bridges, offshore platforms, structural hollow sections, and general construction.

Thermomechanically rolled weldable fine-grained structural steel with minimum yield strength 275 MPa and guaranteed impact toughness at -50°C (ML designation). Low-temperature variant of S275M with same excellent weldability and low carbon equivalent. Used for offshore structures, cold climate construction, and structural hollow sections requiring sub-zero toughness guarantees.

Non-alloy structural steel with 355 MPa min yield and 27J impact at 0°C. The "J0" variant between JR (+20°C) and J2 (-20°C). Former designation St52-3U (DIN 17100). Good weldability (CEV ≤0.47). Used for bridges, cranes, buildings, wind turbines, heavy machinery frames, and general structural applications requiring moderate low-temperature toughness.

High-strength structural steel with impact testing at -20°C (J2). Higher toughness than S355JR (tested at +20°C). Used for bridges, crane structures, offshore platforms, and cold-weather applications where impact toughness at sub-zero temperatures is required.

Normalized structural steel with 355 MPa minimum yield strength and J2 impact toughness (27J at -20°C). The normalized delivery condition (+N) ensures refined grain structure and uniform properties throughout the cross-section. Required for EN 1090 execution classes EXC3/EXC4 in structural steelwork. The standard choice for bridges, high-rise frames, crane runways, and wind tower sections where both strength and guaranteed low-temperature toughness are needed. Weldable with CEV typically <0.45.

High-strength low-alloy structural steel with minimum yield strength of 355 MPa. Standard grade for bridges, buildings, cranes, and general structural applications. Impact tested at +20°C (JR).

Structural steel with guaranteed Charpy impact at -20°C (KV ≥40J). Same strength as S355J2 (ReH ≥355 MPa) but higher toughness: K2 = 40J at -20°C vs J2 = 27J at -20°C. Used for bridges, crane structures, offshore platforms, and welded structures in cold climates where fracture toughness at low temperature is critical.

Thermomechanically rolled weldable fine-grained structural steel with minimum yield strength 355 MPa. The most widely used TMCP structural steel grade. M designation indicates thermo-mechanical control process delivery. Excellent weldability with low carbon equivalent, eliminating preheating in most cases. Used for bridges, offshore structures, cranes, heavy machinery, wind turbine foundations, and structural hollow sections.

Thermomechanically rolled fine-grain structural steel — ReH >=355 MPa with Charpy at -50°C (KV >=27J). THE workhorse for large welded steel structures in cold environments. TM rolling = low CEV = excellent weldability even in thick plate. Used for offshore platforms, wind turbine towers, bridges, crane structures, and pressure vessels. Most common TM grade by tonnage.

Thermomechanically rolled weldable fine-grained structural steel with minimum yield strength 420 MPa. M designation indicates TMCP delivery. Bridges the gap between S355M and S460M, offering a balance of strength, weldability, and cost. Low carbon equivalent minimizes preheating requirements. Used for offshore platforms, bridges, cranes, and heavy construction machinery.

Thermomechanically rolled fine-grain structural steel — ReH >=420 MPa with Charpy at -50°C (KV >=27J). Between S355ML and S460ML in the TM strength range. Lower CEV than S420N = better weldability. Used for crane booms, offshore structures, bridge girders, and pressure vessels requiring high strength with excellent low-temperature toughness and weldability.