Steel SC480
JIS G5101
SC480 is the higher-strength grade of the JIS G5101 general cast carbon steel series, specified at 480 MPa minimum tensile and typically supplied at 290 MPa yield, 520 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and about 160 HB (84 HRB).
Reference datasheet — SC480 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 condition
SC480 tempers and conditions
SC480 is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. N is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Rarely supplied to JIS G5101 (which requires heat treatment); only for non-critical parts where as-cast strength is acceptable. | 260 | 500 | 12 | 170 HB | 9 % IACS |
Solution annealed | Pick when maximum machinability, dimensional stability and low residual stress matter more than strength. | 260 | 495 | 21 | 150 HB | — |
Stress relieved | Sub-critical 580–650 °C soak used after weld repair or heavy machining; mechanical properties essentially those of the prior N or NT condition. | 285 | 515 | 19 | 158 HB | 9 % IACS |
NDefault Normalized | Standard delivery condition: refines the as-cast dendritic structure and reliably meets the 480 MPa / 13 % JIS minimums. | 290 | 520 | 18 | 160 HB | — |
Normalized and tempered | Best all-round condition for machine frames and pressure parts: same strength as normalized with lower residual stress and better toughness. | 310 | 540 | 20 | 165 HB | — |
Quenched and tempered | Optional upgrade for highly stressed castings (gears, links, valve bodies) where 600–700 MPa tensile and better toughness are needed; section-size limited by hardenability. | 430 | 650 | 18 | 20 HRC | — |
What is SC480?
SC480 is the higher-strength grade of the JIS G5101 general cast carbon steel series, specified at 480 MPa minimum tensile and typically supplied at 290 MPa yield, 520 MPa tensile, 18 % elongation and about 160 HB (84 HRB). It is used for structurally demanding machine and pressure-part castings where SC450 is not stiff or strong enough, in F, annealed, normalized, N+T, QT and SR conditions up to about 425 °C. Higher carbon lowers both machinability (55) and weldability (55): carbon equivalent is around 0.55, so preheat and post-weld stress relief are needed. Use SC450 when weld repair or ductility governs. SC480 has a density of 7.82 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 82% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F). SC480 has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is SC480 used for?
- heavy machinery parts
- high-pressure valve bodies
- crane and construction equipment castings
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 1.9 kg CO₂/kg, better than 92% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 290 MPa (42.1 ksi), worse than 88% of steel grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 87% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 60 MPa·√m (54.6 ksi·√in), worse than 78% of steel grades
SC480 properties
Typical room-temperature values for SC480-N; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
SC480 has a density of 7.82 g/cm³ (0.283 lb/in³), lighter than 82% of steel grades. It melts at 1,425°C (2,597 °F).
Mechanical16
SC480 has a yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
SC480 is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/m·K (6.5 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SC480 conducts electricity at 9 % IACS, better than 71% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SC480 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 1.9 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 85%.
Manufacturability7
SC480's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. SC480 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with SC480
Is SC480 easy to machine?
Machines like normalized 1045: carbide inserts, 120–180 m/min, watch for hard scale, sand inclusions and shrinkage porosity near risers.
Can SC480 be welded?
Weldable with low-hydrogen E7018/ER70S-6 but CE ≈ 0.55 — preheat 150–250 °C, control interpass, and stress relieve 580–650 °C after repair.
Can SC480 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or shell cast with generous risering and chills; long freezing range means centreline shrinkage in heavy sections — normalize after shakeout.
SC480 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cnot limited by JIS G5101; typical foundry aim to reach 480 MPa | 0.35 – 0.5 | 0.45 |
| Sitypical foundry range | 0.2 – 0.6 | 0.4 |
| Mntypical foundry range | 0.5 – 1 | 0.75 |
| PJIS G5101 limit | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| SJIS G5101 limit | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on SC480?
No corrosion resistance of its own: shot blast then prime/paint, zinc-rich coat or phosphate; can be flame or induction hardened locally on wear faces.
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 SC480 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- JIS
- G5101
How much does SC480 cost?
SC480 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
SC480 — frequently asked
What is SC480 used for?
SC480 is typically used for heavy machinery parts, high-pressure valve bodies and crane and construction equipment castings. In short: strongest general SC grade; needs preheat for welding; locally hardenable wear faces.
What is the yield strength of SC480?
SC480 has a typical yield strength of 290 MPa (42.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — weaker than 88% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is SC480 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like normalized 1045: carbide inserts, 120–180 m/min, watch for hard scale, sand inclusions and shrinkage porosity near risers.
Can SC480 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weldable with low-hydrogen E7018/ER70S-6 but CE ≈ 0.55 — preheat 150–250 °C, control interpass, and stress relieve 580–650 °C after repair.
What surface finishes work on SC480?
No corrosion resistance of its own: shot blast then prime/paint, zinc-rich coat or phosphate; can be flame or induction hardened locally on wear faces.
Can SC480 be formed, bent or molded?
Sand or shell cast with generous risering and chills; long freezing range means centreline shrinkage in heavy sections — normalize after shakeout.
What is the maximum service temperature of SC480?
SC480 is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between SC480-N and SC480-QT?
N is the default condition — standard delivery condition: refines the as-cast dendritic structure and reliably meets the 480 MPa / 13 % JIS minimums. QT: optional upgrade for highly stressed castings (gears, links, valve bodies) where 600–700 MPa tensile and better toughness are needed; section-size limited by hardenability. Yield strength is 290 MPa in N versus 430 MPa in QT.
How much does SC480 cost?
SC480 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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
- JIS G5101 — Carbon steel castings — JISC (1991)
- GB/T 11352 — (ZG310-570 comparison) — SAC (2009)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Steel Castings Handbook — Steel Founders' Society of America (1995)
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.