Steel E420-A (Solution annealed)
Temper
EN E420
Intermediate condition for deep forming or heavy machining before a final normalizing/Q&T cycle.
Values for the A condition
Other E420 tempers and conditions
E420 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at E420.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AThis page Solution annealed | Intermediate condition for deep forming or heavy machining before a final normalizing/Q&T cycle. | 320 | 520 | 27 | 145 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
Stress relieved | For welded fabrications and thick machined plates where distortion control and residual-stress reduction matter. | 440 | 605 | 21 | 178 HB | 9 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Standard mill supply condition for plate, sections and bar in general structural work. | 450 | 620 | 19 | 185 HB | — |
Normalized | Choose for heavy plate needing uniform fine grain and reliable low-temperature toughness after hot forming. | 465 | 620 | 22 | 180 HB | — |
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Pick when the lowest carbon equivalent and best field weldability at 420 MPa yield are needed (bridges, offshore, thick weldments). | 470 | 600 | 23 | 180 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Used for machined mechanical parts cut from E420 stock where higher and more uniform strength through thickness is wanted. | 530 | 680 | 18 | 18 HRC | — |
Cold drawn | Bright bar for shafts and machined parts needing close tolerance and higher yield, at the cost of ductility and residual stress. | 570 | 680 | 11 | 220 HB | — |
What is E420-A?
E420-A is E420 in the A temper — intermediate condition for deep forming or heavy machining before a final normalizing/Q&T cycle. E420-A has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). E420-A has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; A is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 130 MPa·√m (118.3 ksi·√in), better than 89% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 72/100, better than 88% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 27%, better than 86% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 75/100, better than 76% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Low strength — 320 MPa (46.4 ksi), worse than 81% of steel grades
E420-A properties
Typical room-temperature values for E420-A; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E420 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
E420-A has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
E420-A has a yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 81% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
E420-A is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E420-A conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E420-A takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
E420-A's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability very good (72/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E420-A
Is E420 easy to machine?
Machines like a tough medium-carbon HSLA steel — use rigid setups, coated carbide at ~120–180 m/min, positive rake and good chip control; stringy chips in the annealed state.
Can E420 be welded?
Weldable by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with matching 420-class consumables; keep CEV in mind and preheat 100–150 °C above ~30 mm or in restraint, with hydrogen-controlled electrodes.
Can E420 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bendable with minimum inner radius ≈2–3 t (transverse); hot forming 900–1000 °C should be followed by normalizing to restore toughness.
What surface finishes work on E420?
No natural corrosion resistance — shot blast to Sa 2.5 then paint, metallize or hot-dip galvanize (watch Si content for coating thickness); phosphating or zinc plating for small parts.
E420 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C≤0.20 for J2 quality / thin product | ≤ 0.22 | 0.18 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.7 | 1.45 |
| P≤0.030 for J2 | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S≤0.025 for J2 | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Nhigher if N-binding elements present | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Nbmicroalloy for grain refinement (GB/T 1591 Q420) | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| Vmicroalloy; A572 Gr.60 requires V or Nb addition | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Ti | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Altotal Al for fully killed, fine-grain practice | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Curesidual | ≤ 0.4 | 0.1 |
| CEVIIW carbon equivalent, ≤16-40 mm product | ≤ 0.52 | 0.45 |
| Fe | balance | — |
E420-A — frequently asked
What is E420-A used for?
E420-A is typically used for heavy structural members, mobile equipment frames, load-bearing machinery parts and crane booms. In short: 420 MPa structural workhorse; J2 toughness at -20 °C; A572 Grade 60 equivalent.
What is the yield strength of E420-A?
E420-A has a typical yield strength of 320 MPa (46.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 81% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is E420-A easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades). Machines like a tough medium-carbon HSLA steel — use rigid setups, coated carbide at ~120–180 m/min, positive rake and good chip control; stringy chips in the annealed state.
Can E420-A be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Weldable by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with matching 420-class consumables; keep CEV in mind and preheat 100–150 °C above ~30 mm or in restraint, with hydrogen-controlled electrodes.
What surface finishes work on E420-A?
No natural corrosion resistance — shot blast to Sa 2.5 then paint, metallize or hot-dip galvanize (watch Si content for coating thickness); phosphating or zinc plating for small parts.
Can E420-A be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bendable with minimum inner radius ≈2–3 t (transverse); hot forming 900–1000 °C should be followed by normalizing to restore toughness.
What is the maximum service temperature of E420-A?
E420-A is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between E420-HR and E420-A?
HR is the default condition — standard mill supply condition for plate, sections and bar in general structural work. A: intermediate condition for deep forming or heavy machining before a final normalizing/Q&T cycle. Yield strength is 450 MPa in HR versus 320 MPa in A.
Sources
- ISO 630-2 Structural steels — Part 2: Technical delivery conditions for general purpose structural steels — ISO (2011)
- EN 10025-2 Hot rolled products of structural steels — Non-alloy structural steels — CEN (2019)
- ASTM A572/A572M Grade 60 — ASTM (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- EN 1993-1-1 Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures — CEN (2005)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.