Steel E420-CD (Cold drawn)
Supply condition
EN E420
Bright bar for shafts and machined parts needing close tolerance and higher yield, at the cost of ductility and residual stress.
Values for the CD 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 | — |
CDThis page 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-CD?
E420-CD is E420 supplied in the CD condition — bright bar for shafts and machined parts needing close tolerance and higher yield, at the cost of ductility and residual stress. E420-CD has a yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 74% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). E420-CD 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; CD is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 62/100, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 11%, worse than 89% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
E420-CD properties
Typical room-temperature values for E420-CD; 10 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-CD 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-CD has a yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 74% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 11% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
E420-CD is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °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
E420-CD 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 E420-CD 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-CD's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability good (68/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E420-CD
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-CD — frequently asked
What is E420-CD used for?
E420-CD 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-CD?
E420-CD has a typical yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 680 MPa (98.6 ksi) — stronger than 74% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is E420-CD easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% 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-CD be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (68/100). 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-CD?
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-CD 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-CD?
E420-CD 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.