Steel S355NL
EN S355NL · GB Q355ND
S355NL is the low-temperature-toughness variant of S355N: a normalized fine-grain structural steel to EN 10025-3 (1.0546) with Charpy impact testing down to -50 °C, equivalent to Q355ND and A633 Grade E.
Reference datasheet — S355NL 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 +N t<=16 condition
S355NL tempers and conditions
S355NL is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. +N t<=16 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
+N | Maximum standard thickness; min yield 285 MPa, through-thickness testing usually specified. | 325 | 505 | 23 | 143 HB | 9 % IACS |
+N | Extra-heavy normalized plate; min yield 295 MPa and lower tensile band (450–600 MPa). | 335 | 510 | 23 | 145 HB | 9 % IACS |
+N | Very heavy plate for nodes and base plates; min yield 315 MPa. | 355 | 525 | 24 | 148 HB | 9 % IACS |
+N | Thick plate; min yield 325 MPa, preheat strongly recommended for welding. | 365 | 530 | 24 | 150 HB | 9 % IACS |
+N + stress relieved | Fabricated assemblies given post-weld heat treatment; slight strength loss but improved dimensional stability and residual-stress state. | 370 | 520 | 27 | 150 HB | 9 % IACS |
+N | Heavy plate for cold-service frames and vessel shells; min yield 335 MPa. | 375 | 535 | 25 | 152 HB | 9 % IACS |
+N | Medium plate thickness; minimum yield drops one step to 345 MPa. | 385 | 540 | 25 | 155 HB | 9 % IACS |
+N t<=16Default +N | Standard stocked condition for plate, strip and sections up to 16 mm; full 355 MPa yield with 27 J at -50 °C. | 400 | 545 | 26 | 158 HB | 9 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways S355NL is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
+N+Z35 | +N +Z35 | Certification |
What is S355NL?
S355NL is the low-temperature-toughness variant of S355N: a normalized fine-grain structural steel to EN 10025-3 (1.0546) with Charpy impact testing down to -50 °C, equivalent to Q355ND and A633 Grade E. It is specified for structures, tanks and pressure-equipment supports that operate in cold environments, and is supplied as normalized plate and sections in thicknesses up to 200 mm, with default values of 400 MPa yield, 545 MPa tensile, 26 % elongation and about 158 HB. It costs more than S355J0/J2 and needs consumables and heat-input control matched to -50 °C toughness; hot forming requires re-normalizing. S355ML is the thermomechanically rolled alternative. S355NL 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). S355NL has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is S355NL used for?
- cold-region steel structures
- offshore platforms
- pressure equipment supports
- cranes in cold climates
- storage tanks
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 140 MPa·√m (127.4 ksi·√in), better than 94% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 86% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 26%, better than 82% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
S355NL properties
Typical room-temperature values for S355NL-+N t<=16; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
S355NL 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
S355NL has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 26% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
S355NL 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
S355NL 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 S355NL takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability8
S355NL's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); 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. S355NL is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S355NL
Is S355NL easy to machine?
Machines like normalized C-Mn steel at ~60 % of 1212; use rigid setups and coolant, chips are stringy so favor chipbreaker inserts.
Can S355NL be welded?
Excellent weldability with CEV ≤ 0.43; use low-hydrogen consumables matched for -50 °C toughness, control heat input and preheat 50–150 °C above ~40 mm.
Can S355NL be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending (typical min bend radius 1.5–2.5 t depending on thickness/orientation); hot forming should be followed by re-normalizing to restore -50 °C toughness.
S355NL 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 > 63 mm in some product forms | ≤ 0.18 | 0.16 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.35 |
| Mn | 0.9 – 1.65 | 1.45 |
| Ptighter than S355N | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Stighter than S355N | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Nhigher allowed if enough N-binding elements | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, grain refinement | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Nb | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| V | ≤ 0.12 | 0.04 |
| TiNb+V+Ti ≤ 0.12 total | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Cr | ≤ 0.3 | 0.08 |
| Ni | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Mo | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| Cu | ≤ 0.35 | 0.1 |
| FeCEV ≤ 0.43 for t ≤ 63 mm | balance |
What surface finishes work on S355NL?
No anodizing; protect with shop primer, epoxy/PU paint systems, thermal spray or hot-dip galvanizing (Si content is in the low-reactivity range for controlled coating growth).
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 S355NL in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.0546
- GB (China)
- Q355ND
- Similar grades
- A633 Grade E
How much does S355NL cost?
S355NL is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
S355NL — frequently asked
What is S355NL used for?
S355NL is typically used for cold-region steel structures, offshore platforms, pressure equipment supports, cranes in cold climates and storage tanks. In short: impact tested to -50 °C; normalized fine-grain S355; cold-climate structural grade.
What is the yield strength of S355NL?
S355NL has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is S355NL easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like normalized C-Mn steel at ~60 % of 1212; use rigid setups and coolant, chips are stringy so favor chipbreaker inserts.
Can S355NL be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent weldability with CEV ≤ 0.43; use low-hydrogen consumables matched for -50 °C toughness, control heat input and preheat 50–150 °C above ~40 mm.
What surface finishes work on S355NL?
No anodizing; protect with shop primer, epoxy/PU paint systems, thermal spray or hot-dip galvanizing (Si content is in the low-reactivity range for controlled coating growth).
Can S355NL be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending (typical min bend radius 1.5–2.5 t depending on thickness/orientation); hot forming should be followed by re-normalizing to restore -50 °C toughness.
What is the maximum service temperature of S355NL?
S355NL is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does S355NL cost?
S355NL is a budget-cost steel ($), 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 10025-3: Hot rolled products of structural steels — normalized/normalized rolled weldable fine grain steels — CEN (2019)
- EN 10027-2 / material number 1.0546 — CEN (2015)
- GB/T 1591 High strength low alloy structural steels (Q355ND) — SAC (2018)
- ASTM A633/A633M Grade E — ASTM International (2018)
- EN 10164 Steel products with improved deformation properties perpendicular to the surface — CEN (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- EN 1993-1-1 / EN 1993-1-2 (design and thermal properties of structural steel) — CEN (2005)
- Normalized fine-grain structural plate datasheets (Dillinger, voestalpine, ) — various mills (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.