Steel HC260LA
EN HC260LA
HC260LA is a European cold-rolled micro-alloyed HSLA sheet steel (EN 10268 family) with a 260 MPa minimum yield, supplied bare (CR) or coated as +ZE, +Z, +ZF and +AS.
Reference datasheet — HC260LA 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 CR condition
HC260LA tempers and conditions
HC260LA is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. CR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CRDefault Cold rolled | Standard uncoated cold-rolled HSLA coil/sheet for parts that will be painted, e-coated or assembled inside protected structures. | 295 | 390 | 30 | 115 HB | 10 % IACS |
Electrolytically zinc coated cold-rolled sheet | Pick when a thin, very uniform zinc layer with class-A paintable surface is needed (visible/skin panels, appearance parts). | 295 | 390 | 29 | 115 HB | 10 % IACS |
Hot-dip galvanized | Continuously hot-dip galvanized version for structural body-in-white and chassis parts needing long-term corrosion protection. | 300 | 380 | 28 | 115 HB | 10 % IACS |
Galvannealed zinc-iron coating | Choose for best paint adhesion and spot-weld electrode life; the Zn-Fe layer is harder and can powder in severe draws. | 300 | 385 | 28 | 118 HB | 10 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways HC260LA is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
+AS | Aluminium-silicon hot-dip coated | Surface finish |
What is HC260LA?
HC260LA is a European cold-rolled micro-alloyed HSLA sheet steel (EN 10268 family) with a 260 MPa minimum yield, supplied bare (CR) or coated as +ZE, +Z, +ZF and +AS. It is chosen for weight reduction in stamped structural parts, with 295 MPa yield, 390 MPa tensile, 30 % elongation and 115 HB in the default condition, in coil, slit strip and blank form. Formability (score 70) is well below drawing grades such as DC04 or DX56D, springback is higher than mild steel, and bare material has essentially no corrosion resistance (score 12). Step up to HC300LA when more yield strength is needed. HC260LA has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F). HC260LA has a yield strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) — weaker than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is HC260LA used for?
- automotive structural parts
- chassis components
- brackets
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 93% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 90/100, better than 90% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 86% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 295 MPa (42.8 ksi), worse than 87% of steel grades
HC260LA properties
Typical room-temperature values for HC260LA-CR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
HC260LA has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F).
Mechanical16
HC260LA has a yield strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) — weaker than 87% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
HC260LA is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
HC260LA conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of HC260LA takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.4 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
HC260LA'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. HC260LA is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with HC260LA
Is HC260LA easy to machine?
Rarely machined as sheet; drilling/trimming is easy with HSS or coated carbide, but the gummy low-carbon matrix needs sharp tools and burr control.
Can HC260LA be welded?
Excellent — CEV below about 0.25, so resistance spot, MAG, laser and projection welding all use plain low-carbon schedules; coated variants need higher current/electrode maintenance.
Can HC260LA be formed, bent or molded?
Good deep-draw and stretch formability (n90 ≈ 0.16–0.19, r90 ≈ 1.0) but plan for 1.5–2× the springback of mild steel and generous bend radii (≈1.0–1.5 t).
HC260LA 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 10268 ladle analysis | ≤ 0.1 | 0.06 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.6 | 0.45 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, deoxidation / fine grain | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Nbmicroalloy; Nb+Ti restricted | ≤ 0.09 | 0.03 |
| Timicroalloy; Nb+Ti restricted | ≤ 0.15 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on HC260LA?
Phosphate + cathodic e-coat or powder paint on uncoated material; zinc-coated variants are directly paintable and give the durability required for automotive perforation warranties.
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
How much does HC260LA cost?
HC260LA is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
HC260LA — frequently asked
What is HC260LA used for?
HC260LA is typically used for automotive structural parts, chassis components and brackets. In short: weight-saving HSLA sheet; weldable structural grade; stronger than DC04.
What is the yield strength of HC260LA?
HC260LA has a typical yield strength of 295 MPa (42.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) — weaker than 87% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is HC260LA easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Rarely machined as sheet; drilling/trimming is easy with HSS or coated carbide, but the gummy low-carbon matrix needs sharp tools and burr control.
Can HC260LA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (90/100). Excellent — CEV below about 0.25, so resistance spot, MAG, laser and projection welding all use plain low-carbon schedules; coated variants need higher current/electrode maintenance.
What surface finishes work on HC260LA?
Phosphate + cathodic e-coat or powder paint on uncoated material; zinc-coated variants are directly paintable and give the durability required for automotive perforation warranties.
Can HC260LA be formed, bent or molded?
Good deep-draw and stretch formability (n90 ≈ 0.16–0.19, r90 ≈ 1.0) but plan for 1.5–2× the springback of mild steel and generous bend radii (≈1.0–1.5 t).
What is the maximum service temperature of HC260LA?
HC260LA is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does HC260LA cost?
HC260LA is a budget-cost steel ($), 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 10268 — Cold rolled steel flat products with high yield strength for cold forming — CEN (2013)
- EN 10346 — Continuously hot-dip coated steel flat products for cold forming — CEN (2015)
- EN 10152 — Electrolytically zinc coated cold rolled steel flat products — CEN (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Cold-rolled HSLA (HC-LA) grades product information — ArcelorMittal / thyssenkrupp Steel (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.