Steel S235JR
EN S235JR · JIS SS330, SS400 · GB Q195, Q235B
S235JR (1.0038) is a non-alloy structural steel with 235 MPa minimum yield, supplied hot-rolled, cold-rolled, normalized or galvanized as plate, sheet, section and bar; Q235B, SS400 and ASTM A283 Grade C are close counterparts.
Values for the HR condition
S235JR tempers and conditions
S235JR is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normalized | Pick when a fine, uniform grain and more consistent toughness are needed on thicker plate or after heavy forming. | 255 | 410 | 28 | 115 HB | 11 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Default stock condition for plate, sections, merchant bar and hot-rolled coil in welded structures. | 260 | 420 | 26 | 120 HB | 11 % IACS |
Cold rolled | Choose for thin sheet needing tight thickness tolerance, a clean bright surface and press-formed parts. | 290 | 400 | 22 | 130 HB | 11 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Use for turned/shafting parts and machined components where straightness, size tolerance (h9/h11) and a higher yield are wanted. | 340 | 450 | 14 | 150 HB | 11 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways S235JR is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Galvanized | Hot-dip zinc coated | Coating |
What is S235JR?
S235JR (1.0038) is a non-alloy structural steel with 235 MPa minimum yield, supplied hot-rolled, cold-rolled, normalized or galvanized as plate, sheet, section and bar; Q235B, SS400 and ASTM A283 Grade C are close counterparts. Engineers use it as the default low-cost fabrication steel: weldability rated 95, 26 % elongation and bends to 1–2 t inner radius suit weldments, brackets, base plates and laser-cut sheet. Limits are low strength (420 MPa tensile, 120 HB), no corrosion resistance without coating, and gummy cutting behaviour in the hot-rolled state. S235JR 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). S235JR has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is S235JR used for?
- Building frames
- Bridge components
- Machine bases and weldments
- Base plates and gussets
- Laser-cut sheet metal enclosures
- Brackets and mounting plates
- Guardrails and platform structures
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 11 % IACS, 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
- Easy to machine — 66/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 260 MPa (37.7 ksi), worse than 92% of steel grades
S235JR properties
Typical room-temperature values for S235JR-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
S235JR 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
S235JR has a yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
S235JR 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).
Electrical3
S235JR 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 S235JR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
S235JR's machinability is good (66/100, better than 95% 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. S235JR is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S235JR
Is S235JR easy to machine?
Cuts easily but is gummy in the hot-rolled state — use positive rake, sharp coated carbide, high feed and coolant to avoid built-up edge; cold-drawn bar machines noticeably cleaner.
Can S235JR be welded?
Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/SAW with E70xx-class consumables; CEV ≈0.35 so no preheat is normally needed below ~30 mm, keep hydrogen low and mill scale ground off.
Can S235JR be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — bends to 1–2 t inner radius, deep-draws in CR sheet; hot forming 850–1050 °C, avoid working in the 250–400 °C blue-brittle band.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to S235JR. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better66 / 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 | Excellent85 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent95 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
S235JR 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C≤0.17 % for t ≤40 mm (long products ≤0.19 %), EN 10025-2 | ≤ 0.17 | 0.14 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.4 | 0.55 |
| Sinot specified by EN 10025-2; typical mill value | ≈ 0.15 | 0.15 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| Nmay be exceeded if sufficient N-binding elements present | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.55 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on S235JR?
Must be coated: blast to Sa 2½ then prime/paint, hot-dip galvanize (Si/P kept low for good coating), zinc-plate or phosphate-and-oil; bare surfaces flash-rust within hours.
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
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel S235JR in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does S235JR cost?
S235JR 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.
S235JR — frequently asked
What is S235JR used for?
S235JR is typically used for building frames, bridge components, machine bases and weldments, base plates and gussets, laser-cut sheet metal enclosures and brackets and mounting plates. In short: workhorse mild-steel plate.
What is the yield strength of S235JR?
S235JR has a typical yield strength of 260 MPa (37.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) — weaker than 92% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is S235JR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (66/100, better than 95% of steel grades). Cuts easily but is gummy in the hot-rolled state — use positive rake, sharp coated carbide, high feed and coolant to avoid built-up edge; cold-drawn bar machines noticeably cleaner.
Can S235JR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/SAW with E70xx-class consumables; CEV ≈0.35 so no preheat is normally needed below ~30 mm, keep hydrogen low and mill scale ground off.
What surface finishes work on S235JR?
Must be coated: blast to Sa 2½ then prime/paint, hot-dip galvanize (Si/P kept low for good coating), zinc-plate or phosphate-and-oil; bare surfaces flash-rust within hours.
Can S235JR be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — bends to 1–2 t inner radius, deep-draws in CR sheet; hot forming 850–1050 °C, avoid working in the 250–400 °C blue-brittle band.
What is the maximum service temperature of S235JR?
S235JR 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 S235JR-HR and S235JR-CD?
HR is the default condition — default stock condition for plate, sections, merchant bar and hot-rolled coil in welded structures. CD: use for turned/shafting parts and machined components where straightness, size tolerance (h9/h11) and a higher yield are wanted. Yield strength is 260 MPa in HR versus 340 MPa in CD.
How much does S235JR cost?
S235JR 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 S235JR?
Yes — S235JR 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
- EN 10025-2 Hot rolled products of structural steels — Part 2: Non-alloy structural steels — CEN (2019)
- GB/T 700 Carbon structural steels (Q195/Q235) — SAC (2006)
- EN 10346 Continuously hot-dip coated steel flat products — CEN (2015)
- EN 10277 Bright steel products — technical delivery conditions — CEN (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- EN 1993-1-1 Eurocode 3 — Design of steel structures — CEN (2005)
- Mysteel hot-rolled plate price index — Mysteel (2025)
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.