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Steel S500MC M-PLT

Finish state

EN S500MC · GB Q500M

M-PLT = m heavy plate / cut-to-length

For thicker structural members; strength sits toward the lower part of the band and bend radii are larger.

Budget cost $

Values for the M-PLT condition

Other S500MC tempers and conditions

S500MC is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at S500MC.

Compare all 4 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
M-PLTThis page
M heavy plate / cut-to-length
For thicker structural members; strength sits toward the lower part of the band and bend radii are larger.52558022180 HB8 % IACS
MDefault
Thermomechanically controlled processed
Standard EN 10149-2 delivery condition for cold-formed structural parts, typically 2–12 mm strip/sheet.5456002011 HRC8 % IACS
M pickled and oiled
Choose when a clean, scale-free surface is needed for direct painting, laser cutting or tight-radius roll forming.54560021185 HB8 % IACS
M black
Lowest-cost delivery for parts that will be shot-blasted, welded and painted afterwards.54560020185 HB8 % IACS

What is S500MC M-PLT?

S500MC M-PLT is S500MC supplied in the M-PLT condition — for thicker structural members; strength sits toward the lower part of the band and bend radii are larger. S500MC M-PLT has a yield strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — stronger than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). S500MC M-PLT 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). M is the default condition FabDigit quotes; M-PLT is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Readily welded — 84/100, better than 82% of steel grades
  • Tough — resists crack growth — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 81% of steel grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 81% 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 M-PLT properties

Typical room-temperature values for S500MC M-PLT; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S500MC reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

S500MC M-PLT 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,460°C2,660 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,520°C2,768 °F

Mechanical17

S500MC M-PLT has a yield strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — stronger than 68% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 22% 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)580 MPa84.1 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)525 MPa76.1 ksi
Elongation at Break22%
Reduction in Area62%
Compressive Strength525 MPa76.1 ksi
Shear Strength365 MPa52.9 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)270 MPa39.2 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)120 MPa·√m109 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)85 J62.7 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell180 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B89 HRB
Hardness, Rockwell C11 HRC
Hardness, Vickers190 HV

Thermal6

S500MC M-PLT 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).

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)12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)300°C572 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

S500MC M-PLT conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.65 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended11/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryNo inherent corrosion resistance: rusts in humid/marine air and is attacked by acids and chloride solutions; requires paint, zinc coating or oiling for storage and service.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of S500MC M-PLT takes about 28 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)28 MJ/kg12,038 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.1 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability7

S500MC M-PLT's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability very good (84/100); formability good (65/100).

MachinabilityGood55/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)58%
WeldabilityVery good84/100
Formability (cold)Good65/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood55/100
PolishabilityFair45/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use zinc coating, phosphating, e-coat or paint instead

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

Working with S500MC M-PLT

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.

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).

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Cladle analysis, EN 10149-2≤ 0.120.08
Si≤ 0.60.25
Mn≤ 1.71.5
P≤ 0.030.02
S≤ 0.020.01
Altotal Al≥ 0.020.03
Nbmicro-alloying≤ 0.090.05
Vmicro-alloying≤ 0.20.05
Timicro-alloying≤ 0.150.05
Mooptional≤ 0.50.05
Boptional≤ 0.015×10⁻⁴
Febalance—

S500MC M-PLT — frequently asked

What is S500MC M-PLT used for?

S500MC M-PLT 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 M-PLT?

S500MC M-PLT has a typical yield strength of 525 MPa (76.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 580 MPa (84.1 ksi) — stronger than 68% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is S500MC M-PLT easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% 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 M-PLT be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (84/100). 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 M-PLT?

Not anodizable — protect by shot-blast plus zinc-rich primer, e-coat, powder coat or hot-dip galvanizing (check thin-gauge distortion).

Can S500MC M-PLT 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 M-PLT?

S500MC M-PLT 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.

Sources

  1. EN 10149-2 Hot-rolled flat products made of high yield strength steels for cold forming — Thermomechanically rolled steels — CEN (2013)
  2. EN 1011-2 Welding — Recommendations for welding of metallic materials, Part 2: Arc welding of ferritic steels — CEN (2001)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.