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Steel S355JR-N (Normalized)

Heat-treated state

EN S355JR · JIS SM490A · GB Q355B

Choose for fine, uniform grain, better through-thickness toughness and post-forming property recovery on heavy plate.

Budget cost $

Values for the N condition

Other S355JR tempers and conditions

S355JR is listed in 6 conditions; see the grade overview at S355JR.

Compare all 6 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
as-rolled, t = 40–80 mm
Thick as-rolled plate; use when heavy sections are needed, noting the standard's reduced minimum yield.35052024155 HB9 % IACS
Stress relieved
Use for welded fabrications and heavily machined frames where residual stress and distortion must be controlled.38053026152 HB9 % IACS
NThis page
Normalized
Choose for fine, uniform grain, better through-thickness toughness and post-forming property recovery on heavy plate.39554027155 HB—
ARDefault
as-rolled (hot rolled), t ≤ 16 mm
Standard stocked hot-rolled plate, section and coil; cheapest route for general structures.40055025160 HB—
Thermomechanically controlled processed
Pick for lower carbon equivalent, best weldability with minimal preheat and good low-temperature toughness in plate.42552028165 HB9 % IACS
Cold drawn
Cold-drawn bright bar for shafts and machined parts needing tight tolerance, better finish and higher strength.52062012200 HB9 % IACS

What is S355JR-N?

S355JR-N is S355JR heat treated to N — choose for fine, uniform grain, better through-thickness toughness and post-forming property recovery on heavy plate. S355JR-N has a yield strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). S355JR-N 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). AR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; N is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 27%, better than 86% of steel grades
  • Readily welded — 85/100, better than 83% of steel grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 68/100, better than 83% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades

S355JR-N properties

Typical room-temperature values for S355JR-N; 10 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S355JR reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

S355JR-N 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,510°C2,750 °F

Mechanical16

S355JR-N has a yield strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 63% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 27% 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)540 MPa78.3 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)395 MPa57.3 ksi
Elongation at Break27%
Reduction in Area50%
Compressive Strength400 MPa58 ksi
Shear Strength345 MPa50 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)255 MPa37 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)110 MPa·√m100 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)90 J66.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell155 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B81 HRB
Hardness, Vickers170 HV

Thermal6

S355JR-N 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 Capacity470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion247 J/g106 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)350°C662 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

S355JR-N 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)-0.62 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in humid air, water and chlorides; attacked by all acids; passive only in alkaline media such as concrete. Requires paint, galvanizing or cathodic protection outdoors.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of S355JR-N takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 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)2.1 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

S355JR-N's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability good (68/100).

MachinabilityGood60/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)60%
WeldabilityExcellent85/100
Formability (cold)Good68/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood60/100
PolishabilityFair45/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use hot-dip galvanizing, zinc/epoxy paint or phosphating instead

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

Working with S355JR-N

Is S355JR easy to machine?

Machines like a medium-carbon steel — moderate tool wear, gummy chips in the as-rolled condition; use coated carbide, positive rake and generous coolant.

Can S355JR be welded?

Excellent weldability by all arc processes with CEV ≤ 0.45; preheat 100–150 °C only for thick sections or restraint, and use low-hydrogen consumables (E7018 / ER70S-6).

Can S355JR be formed, bent or molded?

Cold bends readily at 2–3 t inner radius across the rolling direction; hot forming 900–1050 °C followed by normalizing restores toughness.

What surface finishes work on S355JR?

No natural corrosion protection — shot-blast to Sa 2.5 then zinc-rich primer, epoxy paint, or hot-dip galvanize per EN ISO 1461.

S355JR 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
Cmax 0.24 % for t ≤ 16 mm (EN 10025-2)≤ 0.240.18
Si≤ 0.550.25
Mn≤ 1.61.35
P≤ 0.040.02
S≤ 0.040.02
Nnot applicable if sufficient N-binding elements present≤ 0.010.01
Cu≤ 0.550.2
CEVcarbon equivalent (IIW), t ≤ 30 mm≤ 0.450.42
Febalance—

S355JR-N — frequently asked

What is S355JR-N used for?

S355JR-N is typically used for heavy structural steelwork, cranes, bridges, mobile equipment chassis and load-bearing frames. In short: weldable 355 MPa structural steel; stronger than S235/S275; widely stocked plate and section.

What is the yield strength of S355JR-N?

S355JR-N has a typical yield strength of 395 MPa (57.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 63% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.

Is S355JR-N easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades). Machines like a medium-carbon steel — moderate tool wear, gummy chips in the as-rolled condition; use coated carbide, positive rake and generous coolant.

Can S355JR-N be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent weldability by all arc processes with CEV ≤ 0.45; preheat 100–150 °C only for thick sections or restraint, and use low-hydrogen consumables (E7018 / ER70S-6).

What surface finishes work on S355JR-N?

No natural corrosion protection — shot-blast to Sa 2.5 then zinc-rich primer, epoxy paint, or hot-dip galvanize per EN ISO 1461.

Can S355JR-N be formed, bent or molded?

Cold bends readily at 2–3 t inner radius across the rolling direction; hot forming 900–1050 °C followed by normalizing restores toughness.

What is the maximum service temperature of S355JR-N?

S355JR-N 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 S355JR-AR and S355JR-CD?

AR is the default condition — standard stocked hot-rolled plate, section and coil; cheapest route for general structures. CD: cold-drawn bright bar for shafts and machined parts needing tight tolerance, better finish and higher strength. Yield strength is 400 MPa in AR versus 520 MPa in CD.

Sources

  1. EN 10025-2 Hot rolled products of structural steels — Non-alloy structural steels — CEN (2019)
  2. ASTM A572/A572M Grade 50 — ASTM International (2021)
  3. EN 1993-1-1 / EN 1993-1-2 Eurocode 3 design of steel structures — CEN (2005)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
  5. Structural steel S355 plate data sheets — SSAB / Dillinger / thyssenkrupp (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.