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Steel S235J2G3-A (Solution annealed)

Temper

EN 1.0116

Softest condition for deep drawing, heavy cold forming or after severe cold work; lowest strength.

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Values for the A condition

Other S235J2G3 tempers and conditions

S235J2G3 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at S235J2G3.

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
AThis page
Solution annealed
Softest condition for deep drawing, heavy cold forming or after severe cold work; lowest strength.21538031108 HB11.5 % IACS
+N HS
+N heavy section
Thick plate and heavy sections: specified yield drops with thickness per EN 10025-2, use for heavy welded frames and base plates.22540025115 HB11 % IACS
+NDefault
Normalized
Standard delivery condition implied by the 'G3' suffix — fine grain, guaranteed 27 J at -20 °C; pick for welded structures in cold service.25043027120 HB—
+AR
Hot rolled
Cheapest hot-rolled delivery for thin plate/sections where normalizing is not contractually required.25544026125 HB11 % IACS
CD
Cold drawn
Bright, close-tolerance bar for shafts, pins and machined parts; higher strength but low ductility and residual stress.4005009155 HB11 % IACS

What is S235J2G3-A?

S235J2G3-A is S235J2G3 in the A temper — softest condition for deep drawing, heavy cold forming or after severe cold work; lowest strength. S235J2G3-A has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 31% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). S235J2G3-A 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). +N is the default condition FabDigit quotes; A is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Readily welded — 96/100, better than 100% of steel grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 11.5 % IACS, better than 99% of steel grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 99% of steel grades
  • Conducts heat well — 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades
  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 31%, better than 94% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Low strength — 215 MPa (31.2 ksi), worse than 98% of steel grades
  • Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades

S235J2G3-A properties

Typical room-temperature values for S235J2G3-A; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S235J2G3 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

S235J2G3-A 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,520°C2,768 °F

Mechanical16

S235J2G3-A has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 31% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus81 GPa11.7 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)380 MPa55.1 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)215 MPa31.2 ksi
Elongation at Break31%
Reduction in Area64%
Compressive Strength215 MPa31.2 ksi
Shear Strength240 MPa34.8 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)165 MPa23.9 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)130 MPa·√m118 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)100 J73.8 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell108 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B62 HRB
Hardness, Vickers113 HV

Thermal6

S235J2G3-A 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).

Thermal Conductivity52 W/m·K30 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity460 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion247 J/g106 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)350°C662 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

S235J2G3-A conducts electricity at 11.5 % IACS, better than 99% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity11.5 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.55×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.1 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.6 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended10/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in moist air, seawater and any acid; requires paint, galvanizing or cathodic protection. Adequate in dry indoor air, oils, dry gases and alkaline concrete environments (pH > 11).

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of S235J2G3-A takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.1 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water50 L/kg6 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content35%

Manufacturability6

S235J2G3-A's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability excellent (96/100); formability excellent (92/100).

MachinabilityGood55/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)65%
WeldabilityExcellent96/100
Formability (cold)Excellent92/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood65/100
PolishabilityFair40/100

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

Working with S235J2G3-A

Is S235J2G3 easy to machine?

Machines easily but is gummy — use sharp positive-rake tooling, generous feed and coolant to avoid built-up edge and torn threads; cold-drawn bar gives the best finish.

Can S235J2G3 be welded?

Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with E7018-class or G3Si1 consumables; CEV ≈ 0.35 so no preheat below ~30 mm, use low-hydrogen filler for thick restrained joints.

Can S235J2G3 be formed, bent or molded?

Readily cold bent, rolled and pressed (min bend radius ≈ 0.5–1.5 t depending on thickness/orientation); hot forming 900–1250 °C followed by normalizing restores toughness.

What surface finishes work on S235J2G3?

No anodizing; must be protected — hot-dip galvanizing, zinc-rich primer, shop paint, or phosphating; blast-clean to Sa 2½ before coating.

S235J2G3 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
C≤0.17 % for t ≤ 40 mm; ladle analysis≤ 0.170.14
Mn≤ 1.40.7
SiNot limited in EN 10025-2; typical mill practice for killed steel≤ 0.350.2
P0.035 % max in the original EN 10025:1990 issue of S235J2G3≤ 0.030.02
S0.035 % max in the original EN 10025:1990 issue≤ 0.030.02
Cu≤ 0.550.2
AlTotal Al for fully killed / fine-grain practice (J2 quality)≥ 0.020.03
Febalance—

S235J2G3-A — frequently asked

What is S235J2G3-A used for?

S235J2G3-A is typically used for outdoor structural steelwork, bridges, welded frames and load-bearing components. In short: toughness down to -20 °C; superseded by S235J2; normalized delivery condition.

What is the yield strength of S235J2G3-A?

S235J2G3-A has a typical yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is S235J2G3-A easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines easily but is gummy — use sharp positive-rake tooling, generous feed and coolant to avoid built-up edge and torn threads; cold-drawn bar gives the best finish.

Can S235J2G3-A be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated excellent (96/100). Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with E7018-class or G3Si1 consumables; CEV ≈ 0.35 so no preheat below ~30 mm, use low-hydrogen filler for thick restrained joints.

What surface finishes work on S235J2G3-A?

No anodizing; must be protected — hot-dip galvanizing, zinc-rich primer, shop paint, or phosphating; blast-clean to Sa 2½ before coating.

Can S235J2G3-A be formed, bent or molded?

Readily cold bent, rolled and pressed (min bend radius ≈ 0.5–1.5 t depending on thickness/orientation); hot forming 900–1250 °C followed by normalizing restores toughness.

What is the maximum service temperature of S235J2G3-A?

S235J2G3-A 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 S235J2G3 +N and S235J2G3-CD?

+N is the default condition — standard delivery condition implied by the 'G3' suffix — fine grain, guaranteed 27 J at -20 °C; pick for welded structures in cold service. CD: bright, close-tolerance bar for shafts, pins and machined parts; higher strength but low ductility and residual stress. Yield strength is 250 MPa in +N versus 400 MPa in CD.

Sources

  1. EN 10025-2 Hot rolled products of structural steels — Non-alloy structural steels — CEN (2019)
  2. EN 10025:1990/A1:1993 (original S235J2G3 designation) — CEN (1993)
  3. GB/T 700 (Q235D) — SAC (2006)
  4. EN 10277 Bright steel products — Technical delivery conditions — CEN (2018)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
  6. EN 1993-1-1 Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures — CEN (2005)
  7. worldsteel LCI data for steel products — World Steel Association (2023)
  8. Mysteel / SMM — Mysteel (2025)

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.