Steel HC420LA
EN HC420LA
HC420LA is a cold-rolled Nb/Ti microalloyed high-strength low-alloy steel to EN 10268, reaching its 420 MPa yield class through grain refinement and precipitation strengthening rather than added carbon, which keeps the carbon equivalent low.
Values for the CR condition
HC420LA tempers and conditions
HC420LA 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 coil/sheet condition for stamped structural parts that will be phosphated and e-coated. | 460 | 520 | 18 | 165 HB | — |
HX420LAD+Z | Pick when the stamped part needs sacrificial corrosion protection straight from coil (body-in-white, chassis brackets). | 460 | 520 | 17 | 165 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
HC420LA+ZE | Thin, very uniform zinc layer for parts needing tight thickness tolerance, good surface appearance and formability with modest corrosion protection. | 460 | 520 | 18 | 165 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
HX420LAD+ZF | Choose for best paint adhesion and spot-weldability among coated versions; coating is harder and less ductile than pure zinc. | 465 | 525 | 16 | 167 HB | 8.5 % IACS |
What is HC420LA?
HC420LA is a cold-rolled Nb/Ti microalloyed high-strength low-alloy steel to EN 10268, reaching its 420 MPa yield class through grain refinement and precipitation strengthening rather than added carbon, which keeps the carbon equivalent low. Engineers use it for weight-reduced stamped structures, and it is supplied as bare cold-rolled sheet or zinc-coated coil (CR+Z, CR+ZF, CR+ZE). Elongation and deep-drawability are clearly below DC04/IF steel and springback is high; bare material has no corrosion resistance and must be coated or painted. Choose DC04 where draw depth matters more than strength. HC420LA 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). HC420LA has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is HC420LA used for?
- Automotive body structure reinforcements
- Seat frames
- Suspension brackets
- Wheel discs
- Cross members and sill reinforcements
- Stamped chassis brackets
- Bumper beam mounting plates
Advantages
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 83% 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
HC420LA properties
Typical room-temperature values for HC420LA-CR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
HC420LA 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
HC420LA has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
HC420LA is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 44 W/m·K (25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
HC420LA conducts electricity at 8.5 % IACS, better than 63% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of HC420LA takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
HC420LA's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability good (55/100).
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. HC420LA is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with HC420LA
Is HC420LA easy to machine?
Machines like a tough low-carbon steel — sticky chips, so use sharp carbide, positive rake and generous feed; mostly processed by blanking, laser cutting and piercing rather than turning.
Can HC420LA be welded?
Low carbon equivalent gives excellent resistance-spot, MAG and laser weldability with no preheat; on coated grades increase current/force and allow for zinc fume extraction.
Can HC420LA be formed, bent or molded?
Good stretch-forming and bending, but low r-value means poor deep drawing and noticeable springback — compensate die geometry and use generous bend radii (≥1.5×t).
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to HC420LA. Every HC420LA part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent85 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
HC420LA 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 | ≤ 0.11 | 0.07 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.6 | 1.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, min for deoxidation | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| NbNb+Ti ≤ 0.22 % | ≤ 0.09 | 0.04 |
| TiNb+Ti ≤ 0.22 % | ≤ 0.15 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on HC420LA?
Not anodizable; use zinc-phosphate + cathodic e-coat, powder paint, or buy pre-galvanized (+Z/+ZF/+ZE) coil for bare-cut-edge 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 HC420LA cost?
HC420LA is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 61% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
HC420LA — frequently asked
What is HC420LA used for?
HC420LA is typically used for automotive body structure reinforcements, seat frames, suspension brackets, wheel discs, cross members and sill reinforcements and stamped chassis brackets. In short: workhorse HSLA sheet.
What is the yield strength of HC420LA?
HC420LA has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 55% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is HC420LA easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades). Machines like a tough low-carbon steel — sticky chips, so use sharp carbide, positive rake and generous feed; mostly processed by blanking, laser cutting and piercing rather than turning.
Can HC420LA be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Low carbon equivalent gives excellent resistance-spot, MAG and laser weldability with no preheat; on coated grades increase current/force and allow for zinc fume extraction.
What surface finishes work on HC420LA?
Not anodizable; use zinc-phosphate + cathodic e-coat, powder paint, or buy pre-galvanized (+Z/+ZF/+ZE) coil for bare-cut-edge protection.
Can HC420LA be formed, bent or molded?
Good stretch-forming and bending, but low r-value means poor deep drawing and noticeable springback — compensate die geometry and use generous bend radii (≥1.5×t).
What is the maximum service temperature of HC420LA?
HC420LA is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does HC420LA cost?
HC420LA is a standard-cost steel ($$), 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 HC420LA?
Yes — HC420LA 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)
- VDA 239-100 — Sheet steel for cold forming — VDA (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- HC420LA / HX420LAD cold-rolled HSLA product information — European flat-steel producers (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.