Steel HC340LA
EN HC340LA
HC340LA is a cold-rolled micro-alloyed (Nb/Ti) high-strength low-alloy sheet steel of the EN 10268 family, specified at 340–420 MPa yield strength, 410–510 MPa tensile strength and A80 elongation of at least 21 %.
Values for the HR condition
HC340LA tempers and conditions
HC340LA 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 | Choose for thicker gauges (>3 mm) and chassis/wheel parts where hot-rolled surface and lower cost are acceptable. | 370 | 460 | 26 | 138 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
Cold rolled | Standard stocked form: cold-rolled uncoated HSLA sheet/coil for stamped structural parts that will be phosphated and e-coated. | 375 | 455 | 25 | 140 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Mill route giving finer ferrite grain and better low-temperature toughness/weldability at the same strength class; specify for welded chassis structures. | 385 | 470 | 27 | 145 HB | 9.5 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways HC340LA is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
EG | Electrogalvanized zinc coated | Coating |
Galvanized | Hot-dip zinc coated | Coating |
What is HC340LA?
HC340LA is a cold-rolled micro-alloyed (Nb/Ti) high-strength low-alloy sheet steel of the EN 10268 family, specified at 340–420 MPa yield strength, 410–510 MPa tensile strength and A80 elongation of at least 21 %. Low carbon plus fine-grain strengthening keeps press formability and weldability high, so stamped structural parts can be roughly 20–25 % lighter than the same part in plain cold-rolled mild steel; it is stocked as hot-rolled, cold-rolled, galvanized, electrogalvanized and TMCP coil. Forming margin is smaller than DC04 and springback is larger, and bare material corrodes like ordinary carbon steel, so zinc coating or paint is normally specified. HC340LA 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). HC340LA has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is HC340LA used for?
- Automotive body panels
- Stamped chassis reinforcements
- Seat frames and seat rails
- Subframe reinforcement plates
- Steel wheel discs
- Body cross members
- Suspension mounting brackets
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 26%, better than 82% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
HC340LA properties
Typical room-temperature values for HC340LA-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
HC340LA 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).
Mechanical14
HC340LA has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
HC340LA is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 46 W/m·K (26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
HC340LA conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 75% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of HC340LA takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
HC340LA's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability good (58/100).
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. HC340LA is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with HC340LA
Is HC340LA easy to machine?
Machines like low-carbon steel but gummy: sharp tools, positive rake and good chip evacuation; mostly blanked/laser-cut rather than machined.
Can HC340LA be welded?
Excellent — low carbon equivalent suits resistance spot, MAG (ER70S-6) and laser welding with no preheat; keep heat input moderate to preserve HAZ strength.
Can HC340LA be formed, bent or molded?
Cold stamps and roll-forms well, but n and r values are below DC04 — allow larger bend radii, expect noticeable springback and design for ~20 % less stretch than mild steel.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to HC340LA. Every HC340LA part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better58 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent88 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
HC340LA 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 max | ≤ 0.1 | 0.07 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.7 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, deoxidation | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Nbmicroalloy | ≤ 0.09 | 0.03 |
| Timicroalloy | ≤ 0.15 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on HC340LA?
Not anodizable; use hot-dip or electro-galvanizing, zinc-phosphate + cathodic e-coat, or powder paint for corrosion protection.
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 HC340LA cost?
HC340LA 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.
HC340LA — frequently asked
What is HC340LA used for?
HC340LA is typically used for automotive body panels, stamped chassis reinforcements, seat frames and seat rails, subframe reinforcement plates, steel wheel discs and body cross members. In short: standard HSLA sheet.
What is the yield strength of HC340LA?
HC340LA has a typical yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) — weaker than 70% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is HC340LA easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades). Machines like low-carbon steel but gummy: sharp tools, positive rake and good chip evacuation; mostly blanked/laser-cut rather than machined.
Can HC340LA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent — low carbon equivalent suits resistance spot, MAG (ER70S-6) and laser welding with no preheat; keep heat input moderate to preserve HAZ strength.
What surface finishes work on HC340LA?
Not anodizable; use hot-dip or electro-galvanizing, zinc-phosphate + cathodic e-coat, or powder paint for corrosion protection.
Can HC340LA be formed, bent or molded?
Cold stamps and roll-forms well, but n and r values are below DC04 — allow larger bend radii, expect noticeable springback and design for ~20 % less stretch than mild steel.
What is the maximum service temperature of HC340LA?
HC340LA 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 HC340LA-HR and HC340LA TMCP?
HR is the default condition — choose for thicker gauges (>3 mm) and chassis/wheel parts where hot-rolled surface and lower cost are acceptable. TMCP: mill route giving finer ferrite grain and better low-temperature toughness/weldability at the same strength class; specify for welded chassis structures. Yield strength is 370 MPa in HR versus 385 MPa in TMCP.
How much does HC340LA cost?
HC340LA 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 HC340LA?
Yes — HC340LA 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 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)
- Automotive HSLA cold-rolled and galvanized grades (HC/HX xxxLA) — ArcelorMittal / voestalpine / Baosteel (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.