Steel S500MC
EN S500MC · GB Q500M
S500MC is a thermomechanically rolled, micro-alloyed (Nb/Ti/V) HSLA sheet and strip grade of the EN 10149-2 cold-forming family, also designated Q500M, with 545 MPa yield, 600 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation and about 185 HB.
Reference datasheet — S500MC 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 M condition
S500MC tempers and conditions
S500MC is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. M is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M heavy plate / cut-to-length | For thicker structural members; strength sits toward the lower part of the band and bend radii are larger. | 525 | 580 | 22 | 180 HB | 8 % IACS |
MDefault Thermomechanically controlled processed | Standard EN 10149-2 delivery condition for cold-formed structural parts, typically 2–12 mm strip/sheet. | 545 | 600 | 20 | 11 HRC | 8 % IACS |
M pickled and oiled | Choose when a clean, scale-free surface is needed for direct painting, laser cutting or tight-radius roll forming. | 545 | 600 | 21 | 185 HB | 8 % IACS |
M black | Lowest-cost delivery for parts that will be shot-blasted, welded and painted afterwards. | 545 | 600 | 20 | 185 HB | 8 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways S500MC is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
M-STRIP | M slit strip / narrow coil | Supply form |
What is S500MC?
S500MC is a thermomechanically rolled, micro-alloyed (Nb/Ti/V) HSLA sheet and strip grade of the EN 10149-2 cold-forming family, also designated Q500M, with 545 MPa yield, 600 MPa tensile, 20 % elongation and about 185 HB. Engineers specify it where a 355 MPa structural grade is too heavy: it is supplied as hot-rolled sheet, coil, slit strip, pickled-and-oiled and blanked or plate-cut parts for weight-optimized welded structures. The strength comes from the thermomechanical rolling, so it cannot be hot formed or normalized above about 580 °C without permanent loss. Where more yield is needed at lower elongation, S550MC is the next step up. S500MC 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). S500MC has a yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is S500MC used for?
- trailer beams
- load-bearing brackets
- lifting equipment
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 72/100, better than 88% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades
S500MC properties
Typical room-temperature values for S500MC-M; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
S500MC 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).
Mechanical17
S500MC has a yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
S500MC is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.5 µm/m·K (6.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S500MC conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S500MC takes about 28 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
S500MC's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability very good (72/100).
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. S500MC is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S500MC
Is S500MC easy to machine?
Machines like a tough medium-strength structural steel: use rigid setups, sharp coated carbide and moderate speeds; expect stringy chips from the low sulfur content.
Can S500MC be welded?
Excellent weldability with low CEV (~0.35); use low-hydrogen consumables and control heat input (typically <1.5 kJ/mm) to avoid HAZ softening of the TM structure.
Can S500MC be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form with bend radius ≥1.0 × t transverse to rolling direction, allow for higher springback than S355 and avoid hot forming above ~580 °C which destroys the TM strength.
S500MC 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cladle analysis, EN 10149-2 | ≤ 0.12 | 0.08 |
| Si | ≤ 0.6 | 0.25 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.7 | 1.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Nbmicro-alloying | ≤ 0.09 | 0.05 |
| Vmicro-alloying | ≤ 0.2 | 0.05 |
| Timicro-alloying | ≤ 0.15 | 0.05 |
| Mooptional | ≤ 0.5 | 0.05 |
| Boptional | ≤ 0.01 | 5×10⁻⁴ |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on S500MC?
Not anodizable — protect by shot-blast plus zinc-rich primer, e-coat, powder coat or hot-dip galvanizing (check thin-gauge distortion).
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 S500MC in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- GB (China)
- Q500M
How much does S500MC cost?
S500MC 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.
S500MC — frequently asked
What is S500MC used for?
S500MC is typically used for trailer beams, load-bearing brackets and lifting equipment. In short: weight-saving structural sheet; highly weldable at 545 MPa yield; cold-formable HSLA strip.
What is the yield strength of S500MC?
S500MC has a typical yield strength of 545 MPa (79 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 70% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is S500MC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades). Machines like a tough medium-strength structural steel: use rigid setups, sharp coated carbide and moderate speeds; expect stringy chips from the low sulfur content.
Can S500MC be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent weldability with low CEV (~0.35); use low-hydrogen consumables and control heat input (typically <1.5 kJ/mm) to avoid HAZ softening of the TM structure.
What surface finishes work on S500MC?
Not anodizable — protect by shot-blast plus zinc-rich primer, e-coat, powder coat or hot-dip galvanizing (check thin-gauge distortion).
Can S500MC be formed, bent or molded?
Cold form with bend radius ≥1.0 × t transverse to rolling direction, allow for higher springback than S355 and avoid hot forming above ~580 °C which destroys the TM strength.
What is the maximum service temperature of S500MC?
S500MC is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between S500MC-M and S500MC M-PLT?
M is the default condition — standard EN 10149-2 delivery condition for cold-formed structural parts, typically 2–12 mm strip/sheet. M-PLT: for thicker structural members; strength sits toward the lower part of the band and bend radii are larger. Yield strength is 545 MPa in M versus 525 MPa in M-PLT.
How much does S500MC cost?
S500MC 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 10149-2 Hot-rolled flat products made of high yield strength steels for cold forming — Thermomechanically rolled steels — CEN (2013)
- EN 1011-2 Welding — Recommendations for welding of metallic materials, Part 2: Arc welding of ferritic steels — CEN (2001)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Hot-rolled high-strength cold-forming steel datasheets (S500MC class) — SSAB / voestalpine / ArcelorMittal (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.