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Steel S275M M-16-40

Grade

EN S275M

Medium-thickness TMCP plate; yield minimum drops to 265 MPa with thickness.

Budget cost $

Values for the M-16-40 condition

Other S275M tempers and conditions

S275M is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at S275M.

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
M
Heavy TMCP plate for thick welded sections; lowest guaranteed yield of the grade.28042527135 HB9 % IACS
M-16-40This page
M
Medium-thickness TMCP plate; yield minimum drops to 265 MPa with thickness.29043028138 HB9 % IACS
MDefault
Thermomechanically controlled processed
Standard stocked TMCP plate/section for welded structures with service down to −20 °C.30044028140 HB9 % IACS
Thermomechanically rolled, low-temperature quality
Choose when 27 J Charpy at −50 °C is required (cold-climate bridges, offshore topsides).30544529142 HB9 % IACS
Cold formed / cold worked TMCP section
Cold-bent hollow sections and formed profiles; strength rises and ductility/toughness fall at the bend.36047020155 HB9 % IACS

What is S275M M-16-40?

S275M M-16-40 is S275M in the M-16-40 grade — medium-thickness TMCP plate; yield minimum drops to 265 MPa with thickness. S275M M-16-40 has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). S275M M-16-40 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F). M is the default condition FabDigit quotes; M-16-40 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Readily welded — 92/100, better than 93% of steel grades
  • Easy to machine — 63/100, better than 92% of steel grades
  • Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 78/100, better than 91% of steel grades
  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 28%, better than 89% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Low strength — 290 MPa (42.1 ksi), worse than 88% of steel grades
  • Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades

S275M M-16-40 properties

Typical room-temperature values for S275M M-16-40; 23 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S275M reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

S275M M-16-40 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,460°C2,660 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,520°C2,768 °F

Mechanical16

S275M M-16-40 has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 28% 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)430 MPa62.4 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)290 MPa42.1 ksi
Elongation at Break28%
Reduction in Area60%
Compressive Strength290 MPa42.1 ksi
Shear Strength260 MPa37.7 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)185 MPa26.8 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)128 MPa·√m116 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)120 J88.5 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell138 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B75 HRB
Hardness, Vickers145 HV

Thermal6

S275M M-16-40 is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity45 W/m·K26 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 Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)350°C662 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

S275M M-16-40 conducts electricity at 9 % IACS, better than 71% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity9 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m7.48 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

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

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.6 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in humid air, rain and chloride environments; resists dry neutral/alkaline media and hydrocarbons; attacked rapidly by acids. Painting, metallising or galvanising is mandatory outdoors.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of S275M M-16-40 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)1.9 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability8

S275M M-16-40's machinability is good (63/100, better than 92% of steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability very good (78/100).

MachinabilityGood63/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)66%
WeldabilityExcellent92/100
Formability (cold)Very good78/100
CastabilityNot recommended0/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityVery good70/100
PolishabilityFair45/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use hot-dip galvanising, metallising or paint systems per ISO 12944

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

Working with S275M M-16-40

Is S275M easy to machine?

Machines like a soft HSLA steel — low sulphur makes it gummy, so use sharp positive-rake tooling, high feed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge.

Can S275M be welded?

Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with low-hydrogen consumables; low CEV means little or no preheat for thin sections, but keep heat input controlled (typically ≤ 3.5 kJ/mm) so TMCP HAZ toughness is preserved.

Can S275M be formed, bent or molded?

Cold forms and bends readily (min bend radius ~1–2 t depending on thickness/orientation); avoid hot forming or normalising above ~580 °C, which destroys the thermomechanical microstructure and the guaranteed properties.

What surface finishes work on S275M?

Requires protection: shot-blast to Sa 2½ then paint per ISO 12944, or hot-dip galvanise per ISO 1461 (silicon and phosphorus levels are low enough for normal coating growth).

S275M 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
CEN 10025-4, all thicknesses≤ 0.130.09
Si≤ 0.50.25
Mn≤ 1.51.2
P0.025 max for ML quality≤ 0.030.02
S0.020 max for ML quality≤ 0.030.01
Altotal Al; may be replaced by other N-binding elements≥ 0.020.04
Nb≤ 0.050.03
V≤ 0.080.02
TiNb+V+Ti ≤ 0.12 total≤ 0.050.02
Cr≤ 0.30.05
Ni≤ 0.30.05
Mo≤ 0.10.02
Cu≤ 0.550.1
N≤ 0.030.01
FeCEV ≤ 0.34 for t ≤ 16 mm, ≤ 0.35 for t > 16 mmbalance—

S275M M-16-40 — frequently asked

What is S275M M-16-40 used for?

S275M M-16-40 is typically used for structural steel plate, bridges, offshore platforms and welded steel frames. In short: highly weldable TMCP steel; good low-temperature toughness; no hot forming above 580 °C.

What is the yield strength of S275M M-16-40?

S275M M-16-40 has a typical yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 430 MPa (62.4 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is S275M M-16-40 easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (63/100, better than 92% of steel grades). Machines like a soft HSLA steel — low sulphur makes it gummy, so use sharp positive-rake tooling, high feed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge.

Can S275M M-16-40 be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with low-hydrogen consumables; low CEV means little or no preheat for thin sections, but keep heat input controlled (typically ≤ 3.5 kJ/mm) so TMCP HAZ toughness is preserved.

What surface finishes work on S275M M-16-40?

Requires protection: shot-blast to Sa 2½ then paint per ISO 12944, or hot-dip galvanise per ISO 1461 (silicon and phosphorus levels are low enough for normal coating growth).

Can S275M M-16-40 be formed, bent or molded?

Cold forms and bends readily (min bend radius ~1–2 t depending on thickness/orientation); avoid hot forming or normalising above ~580 °C, which destroys the thermomechanical microstructure and the guaranteed properties.

What is the maximum service temperature of S275M M-16-40?

S275M M-16-40 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 S275M-M and S275M M-40-63?

M is the default condition — standard stocked TMCP plate/section for welded structures with service down to −20 °C. M-40-63: heavy TMCP plate for thick welded sections; lowest guaranteed yield of the grade. Yield strength is 300 MPa in M versus 280 MPa in M-40-63.

Sources

  1. EN 10025-4 — Hot rolled products of structural steels, Part 4: Thermomechanical rolled weldable fine grain structural steels — CEN (2019)
  2. EN 10025-1 — General technical delivery conditions — CEN (2004)
  3. EN 1993-1-1 Eurocode 3 — Design of steel structures — CEN (2005)
  4. EN 1011-2 — Welding of ferritic steels — CEN (2001)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  6. ASM Handbook Vol.13 — Corrosion — ASM International (2005)
  7. TMCP structural plate datasheets (Dillinger / SSAB / voestalpine) — various mills (2023)

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.