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Steel Q235B HRPO

Finish state

GB Q235B · ASTM A36 · EN S235JR · JIS SS400

HRPO = hot rolled, pickled and oiled

Use when hot-rolled strength/price is wanted but mill scale must be gone for welding, painting or stamping.

Values for the HRPO condition

Other Q235B tempers and conditions

Q235B is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at Q235B.

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Normalized
Specified for thick plate or pressure parts where uniform fine grain and better impact toughness are needed after hot forming.24541031115 HB10.8 % IACS
HRDefault
Hot rolled
Default stock condition for structural plate, angle, channel, beam and hot-rolled coil; cheapest and most widely available.25042028120 HB—
HRPOThis page
Hot rolled, pickled and oiled
Use when hot-rolled strength/price is wanted but mill scale must be gone for welding, painting or stamping.25042028120 HB10.8 % IACS
Cold rolled
Pick for thin gauge (0.3–3 mm) parts needing a clean bright surface, tight thickness tolerance and good bend/stamping behaviour.28042026130 HB—
Cold drawn
Pick for turned/machined shafts and fasteners where bright surface, straightness and higher yield strength are required.38050015150 HB—

What is Q235B HRPO?

Q235B HRPO is Q235B supplied in the HRPO condition — use when hot-rolled strength/price is wanted but mill scale must be gone for welding, painting or stamping. Q235B HRPO has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi). Q235B HRPO 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; HRPO is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Readily welded — 97/100, better than 100% of steel grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 96% of steel grades
  • Easy to machine — 68/100, better than 95% of steel grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 89% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Low strength — 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), worse than 94% of steel grades
  • Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades

Q235B HRPO properties

Typical room-temperature values for Q235B HRPO; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Q235B reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

Q235B HRPO 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,495°C2,723 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,520°C2,768 °F

Mechanical16

Q235B HRPO has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus206 GPa29.9 Msi
Shear Modulus79 GPa11.5 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)420 MPa60.9 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)250 MPa36.3 ksi
Elongation at Break28%
Reduction in Area55%
Compressive Strength250 MPa36.3 ksi
Shear Strength260 MPa37.7 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)190 MPa27.6 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)45 J33.2 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell120 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B67 HRB
Hardness, Vickers126 HV

Thermal6

Q235B HRPO 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).

Thermal Conductivity50 W/m·K28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)350°C662 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

Q235B HRPO conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity10.8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.3 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.63 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in moist air, water and chlorides; attacked by all acids; acceptable in dry indoor air, oils, and strong alkali (pH>11) — always used painted, galvanized or coated.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Q235B HRPO takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water30 L/kg3.6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability8

Q235B HRPO's machinability is good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades); weldability excellent (97/100); formability excellent (85/100).

MachinabilityGood68/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)72%
WeldabilityExcellent97/100
Formability (cold)Excellent85/100
CastabilityFair40/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood65/100
PolishabilityFair45/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use phosphating, painting, zinc plating or hot-dip galvanizing

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with Q235B HRPO

Is Q235B easy to machine?

Easy but gummy — low-carbon steel tears and builds up on the edge; use sharp positive-rake tooling, generous feed and coolant, expect ~70 % of 1212 speeds.

Can Q235B be welded?

Prequalified for all arc processes (SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/SAW) with E43xx/ER70S-6 consumables, no preheat needed below ~30 mm and no PWHT; remove mill scale, zinc or oil first.

Can Q235B be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold bending, roll forming and stamping; keep bend radius ≥1×t for HR plate, and bend across the rolling direction on thick sections.

What surface finishes work on Q235B?

No anodizing; protect by shot-blast + primer/paint, phosphate, zinc plating or hot-dip galvanizing — bare surfaces flash-rust within hours in humid air.

Q235B 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
CGB/T 700-2006 Q235B0.12 – 0.20.17
Si≤ 0.350.25
Mn≤ 1.40.5
P≤ 0.040.02
S≤ 0.040.02
Febalance, residual Cu/Cr/Ni/Mo as tramp elementsbalance—

Q235B HRPO — frequently asked

What is Q235B HRPO used for?

Q235B HRPO is typically used for welded structural frames, building and platform framing, base plates and gussets, brackets and mounting plates, machine bases and weldments and bridge structural members. In short: chinese mild-steel sheet.

What is the yield strength of Q235B HRPO?

Q235B HRPO has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is Q235B HRPO easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades). Easy but gummy — low-carbon steel tears and builds up on the edge; use sharp positive-rake tooling, generous feed and coolant, expect ~70 % of 1212 speeds.

Can Q235B HRPO be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated excellent (97/100). Prequalified for all arc processes (SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/SAW) with E43xx/ER70S-6 consumables, no preheat needed below ~30 mm and no PWHT; remove mill scale, zinc or oil first.

What surface finishes work on Q235B HRPO?

No anodizing; protect by shot-blast + primer/paint, phosphate, zinc plating or hot-dip galvanizing — bare surfaces flash-rust within hours in humid air.

Can Q235B HRPO be formed, bent or molded?

Excellent cold bending, roll forming and stamping; keep bend radius ≥1×t for HR plate, and bend across the rolling direction on thick sections.

What is the maximum service temperature of Q235B HRPO?

Q235B HRPO 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 Q235B-HR and Q235B-CD?

HR is the default condition — default stock condition for structural plate, angle, channel, beam and hot-rolled coil; cheapest and most widely available. CD: pick for turned/machined shafts and fasteners where bright surface, straightness and higher yield strength are required. Yield strength is 250 MPa in HR versus 380 MPa in CD.

Can FabDigit make parts in Q235B HRPO?

Yes — Q235B HRPO is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. GB/T 3274 / GB/T 709 hot-rolled plate & coil dimensions and quality — SAC (China) (2017)
  2. EN 10025-2 (S235JR comparison grade) — CEN (2019)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
  4. GB 50017 (elastic constants, allowable stress) — MOHURD (2017)
  5. worldsteel LCI methodology report (steel embodied energy/carbon) — World Steel Association (2023)
  6. Mysteel / 1688 Q235B — Mysteel (2026)

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.