Steel HC420LA CR+ZE
Finish state
EN HC420LA
CR+ZE = hC420LA+ZE
Thin, very uniform zinc layer for parts needing tight thickness tolerance, good surface appearance and formability with modest corrosion protection.
Values for the CR+ZE condition
Other HC420LA tempers and conditions
HC420LA is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at HC420LA.
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 |
CR+ZEThis page 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 CR+ZE?
HC420LA CR+ZE is HC420LA supplied in the CR+ZE condition — thin, very uniform zinc layer for parts needing tight thickness tolerance, good surface appearance and formability with modest corrosion protection. HC420LA CR+ZE 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). HC420LA CR+ZE 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). CR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CR+ZE is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 25/100, better than 92% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 82/100, better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
HC420LA CR+ZE properties
Typical room-temperature values for HC420LA CR+ZE; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are HC420LA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
HC420LA CR+ZE 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 CR+ZE 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 CR+ZE is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °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 CR+ZE conducts electricity at 8.5 % IACS, better than 63% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (25/100), better than 92% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of HC420LA CR+ZE 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 CR+ZE's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 53% of steel grades); weldability very good (82/100); formability good (55/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with HC420LA CR+ZE
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).
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.
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 | — |
HC420LA CR+ZE — frequently asked
What is HC420LA CR+ZE used for?
HC420LA CR+ZE 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 CR+ZE?
HC420LA CR+ZE 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 CR+ZE easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 53% 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 CR+ZE be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (82/100). 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 CR+ZE?
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 CR+ZE 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 CR+ZE?
HC420LA CR+ZE is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Can FabDigit make parts in HC420LA CR+ZE?
Yes — HC420LA CR+ZE 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.