Steel S235JR · supply condition · default condition
Steel S235JR-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other S235JR tempers.
Default stock condition for plate, sections, merchant bar and hot-rolled coil in welded structures.
What is S235JR-HR?
S235JR-HR is S235JR supplied in the HR condition — default stock condition for plate, sections, merchant bar and hot-rolled coil in welded structures. S235JR-HR 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). S235JR-HR 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).
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 — 68/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 260 MPa (37.7 ksi), worse than 92% of steel grades
S235JR-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for S235JR-HR — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every S235JR temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
S235JR-HR 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-HR 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-HR 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 88% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S235JR-HR conducts electricity at 11 % IACS, better than 98% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S235JR-HR 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-HR's machinability is good (68/100, 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.
Other S235JR tempers and conditions
S235JR is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the S235JR overview.
- HRDefaultDefault stock condition for plate, sections, merchant bar and hot-rolled coil in welded structures.260 MPa yield · 120 HB
- CDUse for turned/shafting parts and machined components where straightness, size tolerance (h9/h11) and a higher yield are wanted.340 MPa yield · 150 HB
- CRChoose for thin sheet needing tight thickness tolerance, a clean bright surface and press-formed parts.290 MPa yield · 130 HB
- GalvanizedChoose for outdoor or damp-service parts where painting is impractical; zinc gives sacrificial protection for decades in mild atmospheres.265 MPa yield · 120 HB
Working with S235JR-HR
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.
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.
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 | — |
S235JR-HR — frequently asked
What is S235JR-HR used for?
S235JR-HR 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-HR?
S235JR-HR 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 5 listed tempers.
Is S235JR-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, 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-HR 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-HR?
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-HR 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-HR?
S235JR-HR 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in S235JR-HR?
Yes — S235JR-HR 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.