Steel E590
EN E590
E590 (1.0644) is a high-strength non-alloy structural steel to ISO 630 with a 590 MPa minimum yield and K2 (−20 °C) impact toughness, supplied as-rolled, normalized, quenched-and-tempered, thermomechanically rolled or stress-relieved plate and sections.
Reference datasheet — E590 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 QT condition
E590 tempers and conditions
E590 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. QT 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress relieved | Applied to welded or heavily cold-formed fabrications to cut residual stress and distortion, at a small loss of yield strength. | 600 | 770 | 19 | 19 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
as-rolled (hot rolled, no subsequent heat treatment) | Cheapest supply route for thin plate and sections where the rolling schedule alone meets the 590 MPa minimum. | 610 | 780 | 17 | 21 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
Normalized | Pick when uniform fine-grain structure and reliable low-temperature (K2) toughness through the thickness are needed. | 615 | 780 | 19 | 20 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
QTDefault Quenched and tempered | Standard route for heavier plate: gives the most reliable 590 MPa yield plus good -20 °C impact energy. | 620 | 800 | 18 | 22 HRC | — |
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Choose for the lowest carbon equivalent and best field weldability at equal strength; not re-normalizable after hot forming. | 630 | 790 | 20 | 21 HRC | 9.5 % IACS |
What is E590?
E590 (1.0644) is a high-strength non-alloy structural steel to ISO 630 with a 590 MPa minimum yield and K2 (−20 °C) impact toughness, supplied as-rolled, normalized, quenched-and-tempered, thermomechanically rolled or stress-relieved plate and sections. Typical values are 620 MPa yield, 800 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and 240 HB (22 HRC), with service to 350 °C, so it is used to cut section weight in load-bearing fabrications. Its weldability score of 55 means low-hydrogen consumables, preheat and heat-input control are mandatory, cold bending needs generous radii, and stocking is narrower than for S355 or S450J0 — S450J0 is the nearest more available step down. E590 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). E590 has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is E590 used for?
- heavy equipment structural members
- cranes
- load-bearing brackets
- high-strength fabrications
Advantages
- High strength — 620 MPa (89.9 ksi), better than 78% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
E590 properties
Typical room-temperature values for E590-QT; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
E590 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).
Mechanical17
E590 has a yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
E590 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
E590 conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E590 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
E590's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability fair (40/100).
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. E590 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with E590
Is E590 easy to machine?
Machines like a 700–800 MPa HSLA steel: rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speeds (~50–80 m/min) and positive rake; expect ~50 % of 1212 throughput.
Can E590 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen SMAW/GMAW/SAW using matching 590 MPa-class consumables; preheat 100–150 °C on thicker plate and control heat input to protect HAZ toughness.
Can E590 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-bendable but needs generous radii (≈3t transverse, 4t longitudinal) and press-brake capacity sized for ~2× mild-steel force; hot forming above 580 °C requires re-heat-treatment for +N/+QT deliveries.
E590 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, thin product; higher C allowed on heavy plate | ≤ 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.7 | 1.45 |
| PK2 quality | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| SK2 quality | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Nunless bound by Al/Ti | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, grain refining | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Nboptional micro-alloying | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Voptional micro-alloying | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Tioptional micro-alloying | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on E590?
No native corrosion resistance — shot blast to Sa 2½ then prime/paint, metallize or hot-dip galvanize (watch Si content for coating thickness); no anodizing applies.
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 E590 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.0644
How much does E590 cost?
E590 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.
E590 — frequently asked
What is E590 used for?
E590 is typically used for heavy equipment structural members, cranes, load-bearing brackets and high-strength fabrications. In short: 590 MPa yield structural steel; weight-saving over S355; demands weld heat-input control.
What is the yield strength of E590?
E590 has a typical yield strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) — stronger than 78% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is E590 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Machines like a 700–800 MPa HSLA steel: rigid setups, coated carbide, moderate speeds (~50–80 m/min) and positive rake; expect ~50 % of 1212 throughput.
Can E590 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen SMAW/GMAW/SAW using matching 590 MPa-class consumables; preheat 100–150 °C on thicker plate and control heat input to protect HAZ toughness.
What surface finishes work on E590?
No native corrosion resistance — shot blast to Sa 2½ then prime/paint, metallize or hot-dip galvanize (watch Si content for coating thickness); no anodizing applies.
Can E590 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-bendable but needs generous radii (≈3t transverse, 4t longitudinal) and press-brake capacity sized for ~2× mild-steel force; hot forming above 580 °C requires re-heat-treatment for +N/+QT deliveries.
What is the maximum service temperature of E590?
E590 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 E590-QT and E590-SR?
QT is the default condition — standard route for heavier plate: gives the most reliable 590 MPa yield plus good -20 °C impact energy. SR: applied to welded or heavily cold-formed fabrications to cut residual stress and distortion, at a small loss of yield strength. Yield strength is 620 MPa in QT versus 600 MPa in SR.
How much does E590 cost?
E590 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
- ISO 630 — Structural steels: plates, wide flats, bars, sections and profiles — ISO (2021)
- EN 10027-2 steel numbering (material No. 1.0644) — CEN (2015)
- 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)
- ASTM A370 — Mechanical Testing of Steel Products (hardness conversions) — ASTM (2022)
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.