Steel S355J2
EN S355J2 · ASTM A572 Grade 50 · GB Q355B
S355J2 (1.0577, EN 10025-2; comparable to ASTM A572 Grade 50, Q355B and SM490A) is a low-carbon structural steel with a guaranteed 27 J Charpy impact value at −20 °C.
Values for the HR condition
S355J2 tempers and conditions
S355J2 is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HRDefault Hot rolled | Default stock condition for plate, section, bar and hot-rolled coil; use for general welded structures at service temperatures down to −20 °C. | 390 | 520 | 24 | 170 HB | — |
Normalized | Pick for thick plate, low-temperature service or where fine-grain, uniform through-thickness toughness and stable properties after hot forming are required. | 400 | 530 | 26 | 165 HB | 9 % IACS |
Cold rolled | Choose for thin sheet and strip needing tight thickness tolerance and a smooth surface; strength is higher and ductility lower than hot rolled. | 440 | 560 | 18 | 185 HB | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways S355J2 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 galvanized (EN ISO 1461) hot-rolled product | Coating |
What is S355J2?
S355J2 (1.0577, EN 10025-2; comparable to ASTM A572 Grade 50, Q355B and SM490A) is a low-carbon structural steel with a guaranteed 27 J Charpy impact value at −20 °C. Typical properties are 390 MPa yield, 520 MPa tensile, 24% elongation and about 170 HB, supplied as hot-rolled plate and section, cold-rolled sheet, galvanized sheet and normalized (N) plate. Weldability is good at CEV up to 0.45, but the steel has no corrosion resistance and needs paint or zinc, and guaranteed toughness must be restored by normalizing after hot forming. S355J0 or S275 serve where −20 °C toughness is not required. S355J2 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). S355J2 has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 64% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is S355J2 used for?
- Bridges
- Crane jibs
- Building frames
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 81% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
S355J2 properties
Typical room-temperature values for S355J2-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
S355J2 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
S355J2 has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 64% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
S355J2 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °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).
Electrical3
S355J2 conducts electricity at 9 % IACS, better than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S355J2 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
S355J2's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability good (65/100).
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. S355J2 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S355J2
Is S355J2 easy to machine?
Machines like a normal C-Mn structural steel — use coated carbide, 120–200 m/min turning; gummy chips and rolling-scale abrasion are the main nuisances.
Can S355J2 be welded?
Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/SAW with CEV ≤ 0.45; preheat 100–150 °C only for thick sections or restrained joints, and use hydrogen-controlled consumables (e.g. E7018 / G46 wire).
Can S355J2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends at 2–3×t inner radius transverse to rolling direction; hot forming 850–1050 °C should be followed by normalizing to restore guaranteed toughness.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to S355J2. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Better55 / 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 | Better65 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent88 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
S355J2 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≤0.20 % for t ≤ 30 mm, ≤0.22 % above (EN 10025-2) | ≤ 0.22 | 0.17 |
| Si | ≤ 0.55 | 0.25 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.6 | 1.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Nnot limited if sufficient N-binding elements are present | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.55 | 0.2 |
| CEVcarbon equivalent (IIW), t ≤ 30 mm; 0.47 for thicker | ≤ 0.45 | 0.42 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on S355J2?
Blast to Sa 2½ then zinc-rich primer, metallize or hot-dip galvanize (watch Si+P levels for coating appearance); no anodizing possible.
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 S355J2 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
How much does S355J2 cost?
S355J2 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.
S355J2 — frequently asked
What is S355J2 used for?
S355J2 is typically used for bridges, crane jibs and building frames. In short: workhorse structural plate.
What is the yield strength of S355J2?
S355J2 has a typical yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 64% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is S355J2 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like a normal C-Mn structural steel — use coated carbide, 120–200 m/min turning; gummy chips and rolling-scale abrasion are the main nuisances.
Can S355J2 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent weldability by SMAW/GMAW/FCAW/SAW with CEV ≤ 0.45; preheat 100–150 °C only for thick sections or restrained joints, and use hydrogen-controlled consumables (e.g. E7018 / G46 wire).
What surface finishes work on S355J2?
Blast to Sa 2½ then zinc-rich primer, metallize or hot-dip galvanize (watch Si+P levels for coating appearance); no anodizing possible.
Can S355J2 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends at 2–3×t inner radius transverse to rolling direction; hot forming 850–1050 °C should be followed by normalizing to restore guaranteed toughness.
What is the maximum service temperature of S355J2?
S355J2 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between S355J2-HR and S355J2-CR?
HR is the default condition — default stock condition for plate, section, bar and hot-rolled coil; use for general welded structures at service temperatures down to −20 °C. CR: choose for thin sheet and strip needing tight thickness tolerance and a smooth surface; strength is higher and ductility lower than hot rolled. Yield strength is 390 MPa in HR versus 440 MPa in CR.
How much does S355J2 cost?
S355J2 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 S355J2?
Yes — S355J2 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 10025-2:2019 Hot rolled products of structural steels — Non-alloy structural steels — CEN (2019)
- GB/T 1591 (Q345D comparison) — SAC (2018)
- EN 1993-1-1 / EN 1993-1-2 Eurocode 3 (physical properties of structural steel) — CEN (2005)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Structural steel S355J2 / S355J2+N plate datasheets — SSAB / Dillinger / ArcelorMittal (2023)
- EN ISO 1461 Hot dip galvanized coatings on fabricated iron and steel articles — ISO (2022)
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.