Steel Q195
GB Q195
Q195 is the lowest-strength grade in the Chinese Q-series structural carbon steel range, a very soft low-carbon steel rated at 215 MPa yield, 330 MPa tensile, 36% elongation and about 98 HB.
Values for the CR condition
Q195 tempers and conditions
Q195 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. CR 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CRDefault Cold rolled | Default stocked condition: bright, tight-tolerance sheet/strip for stampings, tubing and enclosures needing good draw performance. | 215 | 330 | 36 | 98 HB | — |
Hot rolled | Pick for welded pipe, structural sections and low-cost weldments where surface finish and thickness tolerance are not critical. | 230 | 350 | 35 | 105 HB | — |
Cold rolled full hard | Pick when high strength and stiffness in thin gauge matter more than bending — e.g. hardware, blades of low duty, substrate for galvanizing/coating lines. | 520 | 580 | 3 | 170 HB | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways Q195 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
GI | Hot-dip galvanized coil/sheet on Q195 base | Coating |
What is Q195?
Q195 is the lowest-strength grade in the Chinese Q-series structural carbon steel range, a very soft low-carbon steel rated at 215 MPa yield, 330 MPa tensile, 36% elongation and about 98 HB. It is chosen where forming and welding matter more than strength, and is supplied as cold-rolled and hot-rolled sheet, full-hard coil, galvanized sheet, wire and welded tube. Bare material has essentially no corrosion resistance and it is not a free-cutting grade; Q235 is the direct step up when more strength is required. Q195 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). Q195 has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 36% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
What is Q195 used for?
- Welded brackets and frames
- Cold-rolled sheet enclosures
- ERW tube and conduit
- Wire products and mesh
- Stamped clips, washers and shims
- Furniture and shelving frames
- Galvanized ductwork
Advantages
- Readily welded — 96/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 93/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 36%, better than 98% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 215 MPa (31.2 ksi), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
Q195 properties
Typical room-temperature values for Q195-CR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
Q195 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
Q195 has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 36% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
Thermal6
Q195 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Q195 conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Q195 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 22%.
Manufacturability7
Q195's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability excellent (96/100); formability excellent (93/100).
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. Q195 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Q195
Is Q195 easy to machine?
Very soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge and stringy chips; not a free-cutting grade.
Can Q195 be welded?
Excellent by any process (MIG/MAG, TIG, SMAW, spot, HF induction for pipe) with ER70S-x/E43xx consumables; no preheat or PWHT needed at normal thicknesses.
Can Q195 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold rolled annealed condition bends, roll-forms and deep-draws readily; full-hard coil must be annealed or bent only along the transverse direction.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to Q195. Every Q195 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better60 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | P.2 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 180 / 210 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 5× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent93 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent96 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
Q195 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CGB/T 700-2006 Q195 | 0.06 – 0.12 | 0.09 |
| Si | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Mn | 0.25 – 0.5 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on Q195?
Requires protection: paint over phosphate, zinc electroplate, hot-dip galvanizing or oiling; cannot be anodized and will flash-rust after polishing.
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
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
How much does Q195 cost?
Q195 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 99% 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.
Q195 — frequently asked
What is Q195 used for?
Q195 is typically used for welded brackets and frames, cold-rolled sheet enclosures, ERW tube and conduit, wire products and mesh, stamped clips, washers and shims and furniture and shelving frames. In short: soft Chinese low-carbon sheet.
What is the yield strength of Q195?
Q195 has a typical yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Q195 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades). Very soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge and stringy chips; not a free-cutting grade.
Can Q195 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (96/100). Excellent by any process (MIG/MAG, TIG, SMAW, spot, HF induction for pipe) with ER70S-x/E43xx consumables; no preheat or PWHT needed at normal thicknesses.
What surface finishes work on Q195?
Requires protection: paint over phosphate, zinc electroplate, hot-dip galvanizing or oiling; cannot be anodized and will flash-rust after polishing.
Can Q195 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold rolled annealed condition bends, roll-forms and deep-draws readily; full-hard coil must be annealed or bent only along the transverse direction.
What is the maximum service temperature of Q195?
Q195 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 Q195-CR and Q195 CR-FH?
CR is the default condition — default stocked condition: bright, tight-tolerance sheet/strip for stampings, tubing and enclosures needing good draw performance. CR-FH: pick when high strength and stiffness in thin gauge matter more than bending — e.g. hardware, blades of low duty, substrate for galvanizing/coating lines. Yield strength is 215 MPa in CR versus 520 MPa in CR-FH.
How much does Q195 cost?
Q195 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 99% 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 Q195?
Yes — Q195 is available for CNC machining and 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
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. (machinability ratings) — Industrial Press (2020)
- worldsteel LCI methodology report (steel embodied energy/CO2) — World Steel Association (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.