Steel J422
J422 is a general-purpose rutile-coated carbon steel covered electrode equivalent to AWS E4303, used for everyday mild steel welding.
Reference datasheet — J422 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 AW condition
J422 tempers and conditions
J422 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. AW is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stress relieved | Pick when residual stress or dimensional stability matters (thick or machined weldments, pressure parts); slightly lowers strength and hardness while improving ductility. | 360 | 465 | 29 | 145 HB | 12 % IACS |
AWDefault As-welded deposit | Default condition for general structural and repair welding of mild steel; properties are those of the as-deposited weld metal. | 400 | 490 | 26 | 160 HB | 12 % IACS |
What is J422?
J422 is a general-purpose rutile-coated carbon steel covered electrode equivalent to AWS E4303, used for everyday mild steel welding. It runs on AC or DC of either polarity in all positions with easy arc starting and simple slag removal, which makes it the default consumable for maintenance and light fabrication shops. Typical all-weld-metal properties are 400 MPa yield, 490 MPa tensile, 26 % elongation and about 160 HB, with service limited to roughly 350 °C. The rutile coating is not low-hydrogen, so for restrained, thick or toughness-critical joints move to a basic low-hydrogen electrode such as J506. J422 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). J422 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is J422 used for?
- general mild steel fabrication
- maintenance welding
- light structural work
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 12 % IACS, better than 99% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 26%, better than 82% of steel grades
Limitations
- High embodied carbon — 2.6 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 87% of steel grades
J422 properties
Typical room-temperature values for J422-AW; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
J422 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
J422 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
J422 is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
J422 conducts electricity at 12 % IACS, better than 99% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of J422 takes about 35 MJ of energy and emits 2.6 kg of CO₂ — more than 87% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
J422's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability good (60/100).
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. J422 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with J422
Is J422 easy to machine?
Deposited beads machine like mild steel but slag pockets and hard spots at the fusion line dull tools — grind the cap first and use carbide at moderate speed.
Can J422 be welded?
AC or DC (either polarity), all positions; keep a short arc, dry the electrodes at 70–120 °C for 1 h if damp, and preheat only for thick or restrained joints.
Can J422 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product form; the as-welded deposit tolerates moderate cold straightening or peening but avoid heavy cold working of the bead.
J422 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cdeposit analysis, AWS A5.1 E6013 / GB/T 5117 E4303 | ≤ 0.2 | 0.09 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.2 | 0.45 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Niresidual | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Crresidual | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Moresidual | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Vresidual | ≤ 0.08 | |
| Curesidual, incl. coating | ≤ 0.35 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on J422?
Remove all slag before painting; bare deposit rusts quickly, so phosphate + paint, zinc-rich primer or galvanizing is recommended for exposed work.
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
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel J422 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Other
- E4303
How much does J422 cost?
J422 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.
J422 — frequently asked
What is J422 used for?
J422 is typically used for general mild steel fabrication, maintenance welding and light structural work. In short: most common mild-steel electrode; AC or DC, all positions; not low-hydrogen.
What is the yield strength of J422?
J422 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is J422 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Deposited beads machine like mild steel but slag pockets and hard spots at the fusion line dull tools — grind the cap first and use carbide at moderate speed.
Can J422 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). AC or DC (either polarity), all positions; keep a short arc, dry the electrodes at 70–120 °C for 1 h if damp, and preheat only for thick or restrained joints.
What surface finishes work on J422?
Remove all slag before painting; bare deposit rusts quickly, so phosphate + paint, zinc-rich primer or galvanizing is recommended for exposed work.
Can J422 be formed, bent or molded?
Not a wrought product form; the as-welded deposit tolerates moderate cold straightening or peening but avoid heavy cold working of the bead.
What is the maximum service temperature of J422?
J422 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.
What is the difference between J422-AW and J422-SR?
AW is the default condition — default condition for general structural and repair welding of mild steel; properties are those of the as-deposited weld metal. SR: pick when residual stress or dimensional stability matters (thick or machined weldments, pressure parts); slightly lowers strength and hardness while improving ductility. Yield strength is 400 MPa in AW versus 360 MPa in SR.
How much does J422 cost?
J422 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
- GB/T 5117 — SAC/ (2012)
- AWS A5.1/A5.1M — Specification for Carbon Steel Electrodes for Shielded Metal Arc Welding (E6013) — AWS (2012)
- ASM Handbook Vol.6 — Welding, Brazing and Soldering — ASM International (1993)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
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.