Steel FB590
FB590 is a ferrite-bainite (FB) complex-phase high-strength low-alloy automotive sheet with a minimum tensile strength of about 590 MPa and yield strength of roughly 440–560 MPa, built from a fine-grained ferrite matrix with dispersed bainite.
Values for the HR condition
FB590 tempers and conditions
FB590 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HRDefault Hot rolled | Standard hot-rolled coil/sheet 1.6–8 mm for chassis, wheels and suspension arms where hole expansion and fatigue dominate. | 500 | 630 | 21 | 190 HB | 9 % IACS |
Cold rolled | Thin-gauge (0.6–2.5 mm) cold-rolled/annealed FB590 for stamped reinforcements needing tight thickness and better surface than HR. | 510 | 640 | 19 | 195 HB | 9 % IACS |
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Mill route (controlled finish rolling + run-out-table cooling) giving finer ferrite/bainite, best low-temperature toughness and most uniform properties in heavier gauges. | 520 | 640 | 22 | 193 HB | 9 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways FB590 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Galvanized | Hot-dip zinc coated (+Z / +ZF) FB590 | Coating |
What is FB590?
FB590 is a ferrite-bainite (FB) complex-phase high-strength low-alloy automotive sheet with a minimum tensile strength of about 590 MPa and yield strength of roughly 440–560 MPa, built from a fine-grained ferrite matrix with dispersed bainite. It is used for chassis, control arms, subframes, wheel discs/rims and longitudinal members where punched, flanged edges and fatigue life govern, with hole expansion ratios often 60–90 % — better edge behaviour than HSLA or DP590 at the same strength. Total elongation is lower than dual-phase steel of the same class (A80 about 17–23 %), springback is high, and heavy gauges and galvanized coil have limited availability. FB590 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,480°C (2,696 °F). FB590 has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 630 MPa (91.4 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is FB590 used for?
- Automotive wheel discs and rims
- Control arms
- Subframes and chassis brackets
- Longitudinal members
- Suspension links
- Stretch-flanged body reinforcements
- Seat and cross-member stampings
Advantages
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 83% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 62/100, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
FB590 properties
Typical room-temperature values for FB590-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
FB590 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,480°C (2,696 °F).
Mechanical16
FB590 has a yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 630 MPa (91.4 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 21% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
FB590 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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
FB590 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 FB590 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 20%.
Manufacturability7
FB590's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability good (62/100).
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. FB590 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with FB590
Is FB590 easy to machine?
Rarely machined — blanked, laser or fine-cut; when drilled/milled use coated carbide, moderate speeds, rigid clamping to limit edge burr and work hardening.
Can FB590 be welded?
Excellent RSW, MAG and laser weldability at CE ≈ 0.32–0.38; keep heat input moderate to avoid HAZ softening, use matching or slightly undermatching filler, no preheat needed in sheet gauges.
Can FB590 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold stamp with generous radii (r ≥ 2t) and springback compensation; its strength lies in stretch-flanging — hole expansion typically 60–90 %, so trimmed edges tolerate severe flanging.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to FB590. Every FB590 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better62 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better85 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
FB590 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clow C for weldability | ≤ 0.12 | 0.08 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.25 |
| Mn | ≤ 2 | 1.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Slow S for hole expansion | ≤ 0.01 | 0 |
| Altotal Al, killed | 0.02 – 0.1 | 0.04 |
| Nbmicroalloy, Nb+Ti ≤ 0.15 | ≤ 0.09 | 0.03 |
| Timicroalloy | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Voptional | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Croptional, Cr+Mo ≤ 0.6 | ≤ 0.5 | |
| Mooptional bainite promoter | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Boptional | ≤ 0.01 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on FB590?
Must be protected: zinc coating (+Z/+ZF), phosphate + e-coat, or paint; zinc-coated variants need adjusted RSW electrode force/current and cleaning before adhesive bonding.
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).
Plating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
How much does FB590 cost?
FB590 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 61% 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.
FB590 — frequently asked
What is FB590 used for?
FB590 is typically used for automotive wheel discs and rims, control arms, subframes and chassis brackets, longitudinal members, suspension links and stretch-flanged body reinforcements. In short: ferrite-bainite auto sheet.
What is the yield strength of FB590?
FB590 has a typical yield strength of 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 630 MPa (91.4 ksi) — stronger than 63% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is FB590 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades). Rarely machined — blanked, laser or fine-cut; when drilled/milled use coated carbide, moderate speeds, rigid clamping to limit edge burr and work hardening.
Can FB590 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent RSW, MAG and laser weldability at CE ≈ 0.32–0.38; keep heat input moderate to avoid HAZ softening, use matching or slightly undermatching filler, no preheat needed in sheet gauges.
What surface finishes work on FB590?
Must be protected: zinc coating (+Z/+ZF), phosphate + e-coat, or paint; zinc-coated variants need adjusted RSW electrode force/current and cleaning before adhesive bonding.
Can FB590 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold stamp with generous radii (r ≥ 2t) and springback compensation; its strength lies in stretch-flanging — hole expansion typically 60–90 %, so trimmed edges tolerate severe flanging.
What is the maximum service temperature of FB590?
FB590 is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between FB590-HR and FB590 TMCP?
HR is the default condition — standard hot-rolled coil/sheet 1.6–8 mm for chassis, wheels and suspension arms where hole expansion and fatigue dominate. TMCP: mill route (controlled finish rolling + run-out-table cooling) giving finer ferrite/bainite, best low-temperature toughness and most uniform properties in heavier gauges. Yield strength is 500 MPa in HR versus 520 MPa in TMCP.
How much does FB590 cost?
FB590 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 61% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in FB590?
Yes — FB590 is available for sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 10338 — Hot rolled products of multiphase steels for cold forming (HDT580F) — CEN (2015)
- VDA 239-100 — Sheet steel for cold forming (FB grades) — VDA (2016)
- EN 10346 — Continuously hot-dip coated steel flat products — CEN (2015)
- Ferritic-bainitic steels FB 450 / FB 560 / FB 590 product data — ArcelorMittal (2022)
- Advanced high-strength steel FB grades — automotive steel guide — SSAB / Baosteel automotive sheet catalogues (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- WorldAutoSteel AHSS Application Guidelines v7 (FB steels) — WorldAutoSteel (2021)
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.