Steel S235J2
EN S235J2
S235J2 (1.0117) is a widely used EN 10025-2 non-alloy structural steel guaranteeing 27 J impact energy at -20 °C, the standard choice where cold-climate toughness is required.
Reference datasheet — S235J2 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 +AR condition
S235J2 tempers and conditions
S235J2 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. +AR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Annealed | Softest condition, used for bar/tube that must be deep drawn, heavily bent or cold headed. | 220 | 380 | 33 | 105 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Normalized | Choose for heavy sections or where a fine, uniform grain and the most reliable sub-zero toughness is required. | 255 | 420 | 30 | 115 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
+ARDefault Hot rolled | Standard stocked condition for plate, sections and merchant bar in general welded steelwork. | 260 | 430 | 28 | 120 HB | — |
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Optional delivery condition for plate where the lowest carbon equivalent and best low-temperature toughness/weldability are wanted. | 275 | 420 | 30 | 120 HB | 10.8 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Pick for bright bar to close tolerance with higher strength and better surface, at the cost of ductility and residual stress. | 400 | 500 | 10 | 160 HB | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways S235J2 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
HDG | Hot-dip galvanized product | Coating |
What is S235J2?
S235J2 (1.0117) is a widely used EN 10025-2 non-alloy structural steel guaranteeing 27 J impact energy at -20 °C, the standard choice where cold-climate toughness is required. It is stocked as as-rolled, normalized, thermomechanically rolled, annealed, cold-drawn and hot-dip galvanized product, with 260 MPa yield, 430 MPa tensile, 28 % elongation, 120 HB and a maximum service temperature of 350 °C. Weldability and formability are excellent, but strength is low and the steel corrodes without a coating; move to S275J0 or S355 grades when higher load capacity is needed. S235J2 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). S235J2 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is S235J2 used for?
- structural beams and plates
- bridges
- cranes
- machine frames
- general construction
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 96% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 65/100, better than 93% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 260 MPa (37.7 ksi), worse than 92% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
S235J2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for S235J2-+AR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
S235J2 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
S235J2 has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
S235J2 is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S235J2 conducts electricity at 10.8 % IACS, better than 94% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S235J2 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
S235J2's machinability is good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (85/100).
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. S235J2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S235J2
Is S235J2 easy to machine?
Machines easily but gummy — use positive-rake, sharp tools, generous feed and coolant to avoid built-up edge; cold-drawn bar gives better chip control and finish.
Can S235J2 be welded?
Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with no preheat below ~30 mm (CEV ≈ 0.35); use low-hydrogen consumables and 100–150 °C preheat for thick, restrained joints.
Can S235J2 be formed, bent or molded?
Readily cold bent, rolled and press-braked; recommended minimum bend radius ≈ 1×t transverse and 1.5×t parallel to rolling direction, hot forming at 900–1050 °C followed by normalizing.
S235J2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cladle analysis, all thicknesses (EN 10025-2) | ≤ 0.17 | 0.14 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.4 | 0.6 |
| Sinot specified in EN 10025-2; typically ≤0.35 for killed steel | ≈ 0.2 | 0.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.55 | 0.15 |
| Nno limit for J2 quality — steel is fully killed with sufficient nitrogen-binding elements | — | |
| Febalance; CEV ≤ 0.35 (t ≤ 30 mm) | balance |
What surface finishes work on S235J2?
Not anodizable — protect by hot-dip galvanizing, zinc-rich epoxy primer, metallizing or phosphate + powder coat; shot-blast to Sa 2½ before painting.
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 S235J2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.0117
- Similar grades
- St37-3NQ235DA283 Grade C
How much does S235J2 cost?
S235J2 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
S235J2 — frequently asked
What is S235J2 used for?
S235J2 is typically used for structural beams and plates, bridges, cranes, machine frames and general construction. In short: standard cold-climate structural steel; 27 J toughness at -20 °C; excellent weldability and forming.
What is the yield strength of S235J2?
S235J2 has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is S235J2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 93% of steel grades). Machines easily but gummy — use positive-rake, sharp tools, generous feed and coolant to avoid built-up edge; cold-drawn bar gives better chip control and finish.
Can S235J2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with no preheat below ~30 mm (CEV ≈ 0.35); use low-hydrogen consumables and 100–150 °C preheat for thick, restrained joints.
What surface finishes work on S235J2?
Not anodizable — protect by hot-dip galvanizing, zinc-rich epoxy primer, metallizing or phosphate + powder coat; shot-blast to Sa 2½ before painting.
Can S235J2 be formed, bent or molded?
Readily cold bent, rolled and press-braked; recommended minimum bend radius ≈ 1×t transverse and 1.5×t parallel to rolling direction, hot forming at 900–1050 °C followed by normalizing.
What is the maximum service temperature of S235J2?
S235J2 is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does S235J2 cost?
S235J2 is a budget-cost steel ($), 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
- EN 10025-2 Hot rolled products of structural steels — Part 2: Non-alloy structural steels — CEN (2019)
- EN 10277 Bright steel products — technical delivery conditions — CEN (2018)
- GB/T 700 (Q235D) — SAC (2006)
- EN 1993-1-1 / EN 1993-1-2 Eurocode 3 design of steel structures (physical properties) — CEN (2005)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Structural steel plate S235JR/J0/J2 datasheets — Various European mills (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.