Steel Q215-N (Normalized)
Heat-treated state
GB Q215
Normalizing (~900 °C, air cool) refines grain after hot forming or heavy welding for uniform toughness.
Values for the N condition
Other Q215 tempers and conditions
Q215 is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at Q215.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Solution annealed | Softest condition, used for deep drawing, severe cold heading and wire redraw stock. | 205 | 345 | 38 | 105 HB | 11 % IACS |
quality class A (no impact test required) | Cheapest quality class; pick for non-critical indoor/ambient parts where notch toughness is not specified. | 230 | 385 | 33 | 116 HB | 11 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Default mill condition for plate, strip, coil, sections and ERW pipe; use for general welded structures. | 235 | 390 | 33 | 116 HB | — |
quality class B (Charpy V ≥27 J at 20 °C) | Choose when a room-temperature impact guarantee and tighter S content are needed for welded load-bearing parts. | 235 | 395 | 33 | 118 HB | 11 % IACS |
NThis page Normalized | Normalizing (~900 °C, air cool) refines grain after hot forming or heavy welding for uniform toughness. | 240 | 380 | 35 | 115 HB | 11 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Cold-drawn bar, wire and cold-rolled strip: higher strength and better surface/tolerance, but low ductility until annealed. | 400 | 500 | 12 | 150 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
What is Q215-N?
Q215-N is Q215 heat treated to N — normalizing (~900 °C, air cool) refines grain after hot forming or heavy welding for uniform toughness. Q215-N has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). Q215-N has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; N is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 11 % IACS, better than 98% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 35%, better than 97% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 140 MPa·√m (127.4 ksi·√in), better than 94% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 240 MPa (34.8 ksi), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
Q215-N properties
Typical room-temperature values for Q215-N; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Q215 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
Q215-N has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical16
Q215-N has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 35% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
Q215-N is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Q215-N conducts electricity at 11 % IACS, better than 98% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Q215-N takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
Q215-N's machinability is good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (92/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Q215-N
Is Q215 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and stringy chips; cold-drawn stock machines noticeably better.
Can Q215 be welded?
Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/ERW with E43xx (E6013/E7018-class) consumables; no preheat needed below ~30 mm.
Can Q215 be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — passes tight cold-bend tests, suitable for roll forming, deep drawing, cold heading and wire drawing.
What surface finishes work on Q215?
No natural corrosion resistance: hot-dip galvanize, zinc-electroplate, phosphate+paint or powder coat; takes bluing and paint well after pickling.
Q215 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 | 0.09 – 0.15 | 0.12 |
| Si | ≤ 0.35 | 0.2 |
| Mnup to 1.20 % permitted for some product forms | 0.25 – 0.55 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S≤0.050 % for class A, ≤0.045 % for class B | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance | — |
Q215-N — frequently asked
What is Q215-N used for?
Q215-N is typically used for welded pipe, light structural sections, wire rod and general fabrication. In short: softest Q-series structural steel; best formability in Q-series; low-cost pipe and wire steel.
What is the yield strength of Q215-N?
Q215-N has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is Q215-N easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (62/100, better than 89% of steel grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and stringy chips; cold-drawn stock machines noticeably better.
Can Q215-N be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/ERW with E43xx (E6013/E7018-class) consumables; no preheat needed below ~30 mm.
What surface finishes work on Q215-N?
No natural corrosion resistance: hot-dip galvanize, zinc-electroplate, phosphate+paint or powder coat; takes bluing and paint well after pickling.
Can Q215-N be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — passes tight cold-bend tests, suitable for roll forming, deep drawing, cold heading and wire drawing.
What is the maximum service temperature of Q215-N?
Q215-N 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 Q215-HR and Q215-CD?
HR is the default condition — default mill condition for plate, strip, coil, sections and ERW pipe; use for general welded structures. CD: cold-drawn bar, wire and cold-rolled strip: higher strength and better surface/tolerance, but low ductility until annealed. Yield strength is 235 MPa in HR versus 400 MPa in CD.
Sources
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. — Industrial Press (2020)
- worldsteel LCI data for steel products — World Steel Association (2023)
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.