Steel E420M
EN 1.8897
E420M (1.8897) is a thermomechanically rolled fine-grain structural steel with a minimum yield strength of 420 MPa, supplied in M and ML conditions by thickness up to 80 mm and as M+Z35 with through-thickness testing.
Reference datasheet — E420M 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-t16 condition
E420M tempers and conditions
E420M is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. M-t16 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+M, t > 63–80 mm | Thickest standard TMCP delivery range; lowest guaranteed strength of the M family. | 410 | 530 | 23 | 163 HB | 9 % IACS |
+M, t > 40–63 mm | Heavy plate; use when section thickness governs and 385 MPa minimum yield is acceptable. | 425 | 545 | 24 | 168 HB | 9 % IACS |
+ML, t > 40–63 mm | Heavy low-temperature plate; often specified with Z-quality (through-thickness) testing. | 425 | 545 | 24 | 166 HB | 9 % IACS |
+M, t > 16–40 mm | Medium plate thickness; yield minimum drops to 400 MPa but toughness stays high. | 445 | 560 | 24 | 172 HB | 9 % IACS |
+ML, t > 16–40 mm | Low-temperature grade in medium plate thickness for offshore and crane structures. | 445 | 560 | 25 | 170 HB | 9 % IACS |
M-t16Default +M, t ≤ 16 mm | Standard TMCP delivery condition for thin plate and sections where -20 °C toughness suffices. | 465 | 570 | 24 | 178 HB | — |
+ML, t ≤ 16 mm | Pick for arctic/offshore duty or thick weldments where -50 °C notch toughness is required. | 465 | 570 | 25 | 175 HB | 9 % IACS |
+M with Z35 through-thickness quality | Order this when cruciform/T-joints load the plate through its thickness and lamellar tearing must be avoided. | 465 | 570 | 24 | 175 HB | 9 % IACS |
What is E420M?
E420M (1.8897) is a thermomechanically rolled fine-grain structural steel with a minimum yield strength of 420 MPa, supplied in M and ML conditions by thickness up to 80 mm and as M+Z35 with through-thickness testing. It is specified for heavy machine parts and welded load-bearing frames where the strength-to-toughness balance matters; typical values are 465 MPa yield, 570 MPa tensile, 24 % elongation and 178 HB. CEV near 0.43 keeps it weldable with modest preheat, but hot forming or normalizing above about 580 °C destroys the TMCP structure, and the steel has no corrosion resistance of its own. S460N is the alternative at higher strength. E420M 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). E420M has a yield strength of 465 MPa (67.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is E420M used for?
- heavy machine parts
- structural components
- load-bearing frames
- welded structures
Advantages
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 86% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
E420M properties
Typical room-temperature values for E420M-M-t16; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
E420M 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
E420M has a yield strength of 465 MPa (67.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
E420M 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
E420M 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 E420M takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
E420M's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability excellent (90/100); formability very good (70/100).
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. E420M is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E420M
Is E420M easy to machine?
Machines like a tough HSLA steel — sharp, rigid setups, moderate speeds and positive-rake coated carbide; gummy chips rather than hardness are the limiting factor.
Can E420M be welded?
Excellent weldability with low CEV (≈0.43); use low-hydrogen consumables matching 420 MPa, control heat input (typ. 1.0–2.5 kJ/mm) so the TMCP fine-grain HAZ is not softened.
Can E420M be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending (inner radius ≈ 2×t transverse) and press-brake behaviour; avoid hot forming or normalizing above ~580 °C, which erases the thermomechanical strengthening.
E420M 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cladle analysis, all thicknesses | ≤ 0.16 | 0.1 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Mn | 0.9 – 1.7 | 1.5 |
| PM quality; ML ≤0.025 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| SM quality; ML ≤0.020 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, grain refinement | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Nbmicro-alloy | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Vmicro-alloy | ≤ 0.12 | 0.04 |
| TiNb+V+Ti ≤ 0.22 | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | 0.05 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.8 | 0.1 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.2 | 0.03 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.55 | 0.1 |
| N | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on E420M?
No inherent corrosion resistance — shot blast to Sa 2½ then paint, metallize or hot-dip galvanize; Si and P levels should be checked for galvanizing coating thickness control.
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 E420M in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.8897
How much does E420M cost?
E420M 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.
E420M — frequently asked
What is E420M used for?
E420M is typically used for heavy machine parts, structural components, load-bearing frames and welded structures. In short: high strength, low CEV; best strength-to-weldability balance; TMCP 420 MPa plate.
What is the yield strength of E420M?
E420M has a typical yield strength of 465 MPa (67.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) — stronger than 56% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is E420M easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like a tough HSLA steel — sharp, rigid setups, moderate speeds and positive-rake coated carbide; gummy chips rather than hardness are the limiting factor.
Can E420M be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent weldability with low CEV (≈0.43); use low-hydrogen consumables matching 420 MPa, control heat input (typ. 1.0–2.5 kJ/mm) so the TMCP fine-grain HAZ is not softened.
What surface finishes work on E420M?
No inherent corrosion resistance — shot blast to Sa 2½ then paint, metallize or hot-dip galvanize; Si and P levels should be checked for galvanizing coating thickness control.
Can E420M be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending (inner radius ≈ 2×t transverse) and press-brake behaviour; avoid hot forming or normalizing above ~580 °C, which erases the thermomechanical strengthening.
What is the maximum service temperature of E420M?
E420M 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 E420M M-t16 and E420M ML-t16?
M-t16 is the default condition — standard TMCP delivery condition for thin plate and sections where -20 °C toughness suffices. ML-t16: pick for arctic/offshore duty or thick weldments where -50 °C notch toughness is required. Yield strength is 465 MPa in M-t16 versus 465 MPa in ML-t16.
How much does E420M cost?
E420M 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 10027-1/-2 — Designation systems for steels (names and numbers) — CEN (2016)
- EN 10164 — Steel products with improved deformation properties perpendicular to the surface — CEN (2018)
- EN 1993-1-1 — Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures (material constants) — CEN (2005)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- TMCP fine-grain structural plate datasheets (S420M/S420ML class) — European plate mills (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.