Steel SM490 · supply condition
Steel SM490-CR
Properties of the CR condition, compared with the other SM490 tempers.
Choose when tight thickness tolerance, clean surface and higher yield are wanted; ductility and bend radius suffer.
What is SM490-CR?
SM490-CR is SM490 supplied in the CR condition — choose when tight thickness tolerance, clean surface and higher yield are wanted; ductility and bend radius suffer. SM490-CR has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi). SM490-CR 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). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 83% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 120 MPa·√m (109.2 ksi·√in), better than 80% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 75% of steel grades
SM490-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for SM490-CR — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every SM490 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
SM490-CR 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
SM490-CR has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
Thermal6
SM490-CR is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 48 W/m·K (27.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 79% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SM490-CR conducts electricity at 8.6 % IACS, better than 66% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SM490-CR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.
Manufacturability7
SM490-CR's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other SM490 tempers and conditions
SM490 is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the SM490 overview.
- HRDefaultDefault stock condition for structural plate, strip and sections; use for welded frames, bridges and machine bases.365 MPa yield · 160 HB
- CRChoose when tight thickness tolerance, clean surface and higher yield are wanted; ductility and bend radius suffer.480 MPa yield · 185 HB
Working with SM490-CR
Is SM490 easy to machine?
Machines like ordinary C-Mn structural steel (~55–60 % of 1212); use coated carbide, moderate speeds and generous coolant, expect gummy chips and mill-scale abrasion on the first pass.
Can SM490 be welded?
Designed for welding — SMAW/GMAW/SAW with E70xx-class consumables; preheat 50–150 °C for thick or restrained joints and keep hydrogen low to avoid HAZ cracking.
Can SM490 be formed, bent or molded?
Good hot forming and press braking; keep cold bend radius ≥2t (≥3t for thick plate) and bend transverse to the rolling direction.
What surface finishes work on SM490?
Blast off mill scale then zinc-rich primer, paint or hot-dip galvanize; not anodizable and bare surfaces rust quickly outdoors.
SM490 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≤50 mm, ≤0.22 for t>50 mm (SM490A/YA/YB); ≤0.18 for SM490C | ≤ 0.2 | 0.16 |
| Si | ≤ 0.55 | 0.3 |
| MnSM490C: 1.60 max, deoxidized/killed practice | ≤ 1.6 | 1.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Febalance, plus residual Cu/Ni/Cr and micro-alloy additions at mill option | balance | — |
SM490-CR — frequently asked
What is SM490-CR used for?
SM490-CR is typically used for welded bridge girders, industrial building frames, crane and gantry structures, pressure-bearing structural frames, heavy machine bases and weldments and galvanized structural sections. In short: japanese structural plate.
What is the yield strength of SM490-CR?
SM490-CR has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is SM490-CR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like ordinary C-Mn structural steel (~55–60 % of 1212); use coated carbide, moderate speeds and generous coolant, expect gummy chips and mill-scale abrasion on the first pass.
Can SM490-CR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Designed for welding — SMAW/GMAW/SAW with E70xx-class consumables; preheat 50–150 °C for thick or restrained joints and keep hydrogen low to avoid HAZ cracking.
What surface finishes work on SM490-CR?
Blast off mill scale then zinc-rich primer, paint or hot-dip galvanize; not anodizable and bare surfaces rust quickly outdoors.
Can SM490-CR be formed, bent or molded?
Good hot forming and press braking; keep cold bend radius ≥2t (≥3t for thick plate) and bend transverse to the rolling direction.
What is the maximum service temperature of SM490-CR?
SM490-CR 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 SM490-HR and SM490-CR?
HR is the default condition — default stock condition for structural plate, strip and sections; use for welded frames, bridges and machine bases. CR: choose when tight thickness tolerance, clean surface and higher yield are wanted; ductility and bend radius suffer. Yield strength is 365 MPa in HR versus 480 MPa in CR.
Can FabDigit make parts in SM490-CR?
Yes — SM490-CR is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- JIS G 3106 Rolled steels for welded structure — JISC (2020)
- GB/T 1591 Q345B (equivalent low-alloy structural steel) — SAC (2018)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties of Carbon and Low-Alloy Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
- Structural plate product guide (SM490A/B/C) — Nippon Steel / JFE Steel (2022)
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.