Steel E590-AR
Heat-treated state
EN E590
Cheapest supply route for thin plate and sections where the rolling schedule alone meets the 590 MPa minimum.
Values for the AR condition
Other E590 tempers and conditions
E590 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at E590.
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 |
ARThis page 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-AR?
E590-AR is E590 heat treated to AR — cheapest supply route for thin plate and sections where the rolling schedule alone meets the 590 MPa minimum. E590-AR has a yield strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). E590-AR 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). QT is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 610 MPa (88.5 ksi), better than 77% 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-AR properties
Typical room-temperature values for E590-AR; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are E590 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
E590-AR 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-AR has a yield strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 17% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
E590-AR 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-AR 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-AR 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-AR's machinability is fair (47/100, worse than 58% of steel grades); weldability fair (53/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with E590-AR
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.
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.
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 | — |
E590-AR — frequently asked
What is E590-AR used for?
E590-AR 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-AR?
E590-AR has a typical yield strength of 610 MPa (88.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 77% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is E590-AR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (47/100, worse than 58% 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-AR be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (53/100). 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-AR?
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-AR 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-AR?
E590-AR 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.