Steel S355J2W
EN 1.8965 · also Corten B
S355J2W is a European weathering structural steel (1.8965, equivalent to A588, Q355GNH and Corten B) alloyed with copper and chromium so that a stable oxide patina replaces paint, rated 380 MPa yield, 520 MPa tensile, 24 % elongation and about 160 HB / 84 HRB.
Reference datasheet — S355J2W is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the +AR condition
S355J2W tempers and conditions
S355J2W is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. +AR 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Normalized | Choose for heavier plate and for the most uniform, finest grain with best low-temperature toughness and flame-cutting behaviour. | 375 | 510 | 26 | 155 HB | — |
+ARDefault Hot rolled | Standard stocked condition for weathering plate, sections and coil up to moderate thickness; cheapest and most available. | 380 | 520 | 24 | 160 HB | — |
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Pick when the lowest carbon equivalent and best weldability/toughness are needed in thinner weathering plate and coil; do not hot-form above ~580 °C. | 400 | 520 | 25 | 165 HB | 8 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways S355J2W is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
PRE-PATINATED | Pre-weathered | Surface finish |
What is S355J2W?
S355J2W is a European weathering structural steel (1.8965, equivalent to A588, Q355GNH and Corten B) alloyed with copper and chromium so that a stable oxide patina replaces paint, rated 380 MPa yield, 520 MPa tensile, 24 % elongation and about 160 HB / 84 HRB. It is supplied as plate and section in +AR, +N, +M and pre-patinated conditions for exposed bridges, towers and architectural steelwork with J2 impact quality at −20 °C. The patina only forms with alternating wet/dry cycles and free drainage; in chloride-rich or permanently wet environments it must be painted or metallised, and rust run-off can stain adjacent concrete. Plain S355J2 is the cheaper choice when the steel will be coated anyway. S355J2W 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). S355J2W has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is S355J2W used for?
- bridges
- towers
- outdoor architectural steelwork
Advantages
- Good corrosion resistance — 30/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 86% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 81% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 79% of steel grades
S355J2W properties
Typical room-temperature values for S355J2W-+AR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
S355J2W 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
S355J2W has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
S355J2W 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
S355J2W conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), better than 95% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S355J2W takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability8
S355J2W's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability very good (70/100).
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. S355J2W is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S355J2W
Is S355J2W easy to machine?
Machines like a 355 MPa HSLA plate (~55–60 % of AISI 1212) — rigid setups, sharp carbide, moderate speeds; slightly gummy chips from the Cu/Cr content.
Can S355J2W be welded?
Readily welded by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with weathering-matched consumables (e.g. E8018-W2, ER80S-G, Ni-Cu wires); CEV ≈ 0.45–0.52 so preheat 50–150 °C for thick or restrained joints and control hydrogen.
Can S355J2W be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends to about 2t inner radius transverse (3t longitudinal) in ≤16 mm plate; hot forming 900–1050 °C should be followed by normalizing, and +M material must not be heated above ~580 °C.
S355J2W 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 10025-5 ladle analysis | ≤ 0.16 | 0.12 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 0.5 – 1.5 | 1.1 |
| PS355J2WP variant has 0.06–0.15 P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S≤0.025 for J2 quality in many mill practices | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Crpatina former | 0.4 – 0.8 | 0.6 |
| Cuprimary weathering element | 0.25 – 0.55 | 0.35 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.65 | 0.2 |
| Mooptional | ≤ 0.3 | |
| Zroptional | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Nhigher if N-binding elements present | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Nb+V+Timicro-alloy additions, total, mill option | ≤ 0.22 | 0.05 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on S355J2W?
Normally left bare to develop the patina (shot-blast mill scale off first and design for free drainage/run-off control); can also be painted after blasting or metallised where chlorides are present.
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).
Organic Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel S355J2W in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.8965
- Trade names
- Corten B
- Similar grades
- A588Q355GNH
How much does S355J2W cost?
S355J2W is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
S355J2W — frequently asked
What is S355J2W used for?
S355J2W is typically used for bridges, towers and outdoor architectural steelwork. In short: paint-free weathering plate; corten B equivalent; J2 toughness outdoors.
What is the yield strength of S355J2W?
S355J2W has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 68% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is S355J2W easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like a 355 MPa HSLA plate (~55–60 % of AISI 1212) — rigid setups, sharp carbide, moderate speeds; slightly gummy chips from the Cu/Cr content.
Can S355J2W be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Readily welded by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with weathering-matched consumables (e.g. E8018-W2, ER80S-G, Ni-Cu wires); CEV ≈ 0.45–0.52 so preheat 50–150 °C for thick or restrained joints and control hydrogen.
What surface finishes work on S355J2W?
Normally left bare to develop the patina (shot-blast mill scale off first and design for free drainage/run-off control); can also be painted after blasting or metallised where chlorides are present.
Can S355J2W be formed, bent or molded?
Cold bends to about 2t inner radius transverse (3t longitudinal) in ≤16 mm plate; hot forming 900–1050 °C should be followed by normalizing, and +M material must not be heated above ~580 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of S355J2W?
S355J2W is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does S355J2W cost?
S355J2W is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% 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.
Sources
- EN 10025-5: Hot rolled products of structural steels — Technical delivery conditions for structural steels with improved atmospheric corrosion resistance — CEN (2019)
- ASTM A588/A588M — High-Strength Low-Alloy Structural Steel with Atmospheric Corrosion Resistance — ASTM International (2019)
- GB/T 4171 (Q355NH / Q355GNH) — SAC (2008)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials (weathering steels) — ASM International (2005)
- EN 1993-1-1 Eurocode 3 — Design of steel structures (physical constants) — CEN (2005)
- Weathering steel plate datasheets (COR-TEN A/B type products) — SSAB / ArcelorMittal / Baosteel (2023)
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.