Steel E355M
EN 1.8896
E355M (1.8896) is a thermomechanically rolled fine-grain structural steel with a minimum yield strength of 355 MPa, available as M by thickness range, ML for low-temperature service and M+SR.
Reference datasheet — E355M is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the M condition
E355M tempers and conditions
E355M is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. M is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+M | Heavy plate condition for thick welded frames; lowest guaranteed yield of the +M family. | 370 | 500 | 25 | 155 HB | 9 % IACS |
+M | Medium-thickness plate: yield guarantee steps down to 345 MPa while toughness and weldability stay unchanged. | 385 | 510 | 26 | 158 HB | 9 % IACS |
thermomechanically rolled and stress relieved | Ordered for precision-machined or heavily welded parts where distortion must be minimised; hold below ~560 °C to preserve TMCP strength. | 385 | 505 | 27 | 155 HB | 9 % IACS |
MDefault Thermomechanically controlled processed | Standard stocked condition: TMCP fine-grain plate/section/tube with 355 MPa minimum yield and −20 °C impact guarantee. | 400 | 520 | 26 | 160 HB | 9 % IACS |
thermomechanically rolled, low-temperature toughness (−50 °C) | Choose when service or test temperature reaches −50 °C (cold-climate machinery, offshore, cranes); tighter P/S limits. | 400 | 520 | 27 | 160 HB | 9 % IACS |
What is E355M?
E355M (1.8896) is a thermomechanically rolled fine-grain structural steel with a minimum yield strength of 355 MPa, available as M by thickness range, ML for low-temperature service and M+SR. It is used for welded machine frames and structural fabrications that need more strength than E275M without losing weldability; typical values are 400 MPa yield, 520 MPa tensile, 26 % elongation and 160 HB. CEV ≤ 0.39 keeps preheat requirements low, but heating above roughly 580 °C erases the thermomechanical strengthening, and the steel needs full coating protection. E420M is the next strength step in the same family. E355M has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F). E355M has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is E355M used for?
- machine components
- structural frames
- welded fabrications
- mechanical parts
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 150 MPa·√m (136.5 ksi·√in), better than 96% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 72/100, better than 88% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 26%, better than 82% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
E355M properties
Typical room-temperature values for E355M-M; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
E355M has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F).
Mechanical16
E355M has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
E355M is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E355M conducts electricity at 9 % IACS, better than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E355M takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
E355M's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability very good (72/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. E355M is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E355M
Is E355M easy to machine?
Machines like a tough medium-strength C-Mn steel — use sharp coated carbide, moderate speeds and positive rake; stringy chips due to low sulphur, so chip breakers and good coolant flow help.
Can E355M be welded?
Excellent weldability with CEV ≤ 0.39: MAG/SAW/stick with basic low-hydrogen consumables, little or no preheat for thin sections, and controlled heat input (typically ≤ 3.5 kJ/mm) to protect the TMCP-refined HAZ toughness.
Can E355M be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold formability; bend transverse to rolling direction with inner radius ≈ 1.5–2 t for thin plate, and avoid hot forming or normalising above ~580 °C, which erases the thermomechanical strengthening.
E355M chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Clow C for weldability; CEV ≤ 0.39 | ≤ 0.16 | 0.12 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.6 | 1.4 |
| P≤0.025 for +ML | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S≤0.020 for +ML | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Nbmicroalloy grain refiner | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| V | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| TiNb+V+Ti ≤ 0.22 total | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Altotal Al, grain refinement / N binding | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | 0.05 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.55 | 0.15 |
| N | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on E355M?
Not anodisable — protect by shot blasting plus primer/paint, hot-dip galvanising (low Si keeps coating thickness uniform) or zinc-rich duplex systems; the clean fine-grain surface takes powder coating well.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel E355M in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.8896
How much does E355M cost?
E355M is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
E355M — frequently asked
What is E355M used for?
E355M is typically used for machine components, structural frames, welded fabrications and mechanical parts. In short: balanced strength and weldability; TMCP fine-grain 355 class; good cold formability.
What is the yield strength of E355M?
E355M has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is E355M easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like a tough medium-strength C-Mn steel — use sharp coated carbide, moderate speeds and positive rake; stringy chips due to low sulphur, so chip breakers and good coolant flow help.
Can E355M be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent weldability with CEV ≤ 0.39: MAG/SAW/stick with basic low-hydrogen consumables, little or no preheat for thin sections, and controlled heat input (typically ≤ 3.5 kJ/mm) to protect the TMCP-refined HAZ toughness.
What surface finishes work on E355M?
Not anodisable — protect by shot blasting plus primer/paint, hot-dip galvanising (low Si keeps coating thickness uniform) or zinc-rich duplex systems; the clean fine-grain surface takes powder coating well.
Can E355M be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold formability; bend transverse to rolling direction with inner radius ≈ 1.5–2 t for thin plate, and avoid hot forming or normalising above ~580 °C, which erases the thermomechanical strengthening.
What is the maximum service temperature of E355M?
E355M is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between E355M-M and E355M M-40-63?
M is the default condition — standard stocked condition: TMCP fine-grain plate/section/tube with 355 MPa minimum yield and −20 °C impact guarantee. M-40-63: heavy plate condition for thick welded frames; lowest guaranteed yield of the +M family. Yield strength is 400 MPa in M versus 370 MPa in M-40-63.
How much does E355M cost?
E355M is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- EN 10025-4 — Hot rolled products of structural steels, Part 4: Thermomechanical rolled weldable fine grain structural steels — CEN (2019)
- EN 10297-1 / EN 10305-1 — Seamless steel tubes for mechanical and general engineering purposes (E355 family) — CEN (2016)
- EN 10027-2 — Designation systems for steels: numerical system (material numbers) — CEN (2015)
- GB/T 1591 — (Q355ME comparable grade) — SAC (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- EN 1011-2 — Welding: recommendations for welding of ferritic steels — CEN (2001)
- Thermomechanically rolled fine-grain structural steel S355M/ML data sheets — European plate mills (SSAB/Dillinger/voestalpine) (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.