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Steel SMA490W AR-HR

Heat-treated state · default condition

AR-HR = as-Rolled

Standard stocked condition for weathering-steel plate, strip and shapes up to moderate thickness.

Budget cost $

Values for the AR-HR condition

Other SMA490W tempers and conditions

SMA490W is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at SMA490W.

Compare all 3 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Normalized
Choose for thick plate or when guaranteed −5 °C/0 °C Charpy values and fine grain are specified.38053026155 HB7.8 % IACS
AR-HRDefaultThis page
As-Rolled
Standard stocked condition for weathering-steel plate, strip and shapes up to moderate thickness.39054024160 HB7.8 % IACS
Thermomechanically controlled processed
Pick for heavy weathering plate needing low carbon equivalent, better weldability and high toughness without normalizing.40055026165 HB7.8 % IACS

What is SMA490W AR-HR?

SMA490W AR-HR is SMA490W heat treated to AR-HR — standard stocked condition for weathering-steel plate, strip and shapes up to moderate thickness. SMA490W AR-HR has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 64% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). SMA490W AR-HR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,470°C (2,678 °F).

Advantages

  • Good corrosion resistance — 32/100, better than 96% of steel grades
  • Forms and bends easily — 65/100, better than 81% of steel grades
  • Readily welded — 80/100, better than 79% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades

SMA490W AR-HR properties

Typical room-temperature values for SMA490W AR-HR; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are SMA490W reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

SMA490W AR-HR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,470°C (2,678 °F).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,470°C2,678 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,515°C2,759 °F

Mechanical16

SMA490W AR-HR has a yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 64% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus79 GPa11.5 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)540 MPa78.3 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)390 MPa56.6 ksi
Elongation at Break24%
Reduction in Area50%
Compressive Strength390 MPa56.6 ksi
Shear Strength340 MPa49.3 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)240 MPa34.8 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)90 MPa·√m81.9 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)60 J44.3 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell160 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B84 HRB
Hardness, Vickers168 HV

Thermal6

SMA490W AR-HR is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 46 W/m·K (26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity46 W/m·K26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12 µm/m·K6.7 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)350°C662 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

SMA490W AR-HR conducts electricity at 7.8 % IACS, worse than 57% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity7.8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is poor (32/100), better than 96% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.62 V
Corrosion ResistancePoor32/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryGood resistance to inland/industrial atmospheres via adherent patina; poor in chloride-rich marine or de-icing-salt spray, in constantly wet/sheltered crevices, and in acids or alkalis — no better than carbon steel in immersion.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of SMA490W AR-HR takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)26 MJ/kg11,178 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.1 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability6

SMA490W AR-HR's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability good (65/100).

MachinabilityGood55/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)60%
WeldabilityVery good80/100
Formability (cold)Good65/100
PolishabilityFair40/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; used bare to form patina or painted/metallized

Common Calculations5

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated69 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated26.1 MN·m/kg
Modulus of Resiliencecalculated371 kJ/m³
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated12.5 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated10

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

Working with SMA490W AR-HR

Is SMA490W easy to machine?

Drills, saws and mills like A588/Q345 plate at ~60 % of 1212 speeds; use rigid setups and sharp carbide, expect mildly gummy chips from the higher Cu/Cr.

Can SMA490W be welded?

Readily welded by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with weathering-matched consumables (e.g. E7018-W1/ER80S-G) so the weld patinas with the base; preheat 50–100 °C for thick or restrained joints and keep hydrogen low.

Can SMA490W be formed, bent or molded?

Hot-rolled plate bends cold at ≥3t inside radius across the rolling direction; hot forming is fine but avoid finishing below ~750 °C to protect toughness.

What surface finishes work on SMA490W?

Normally left bare to develop the protective patina — grit-blast to remove mill scale and design free-draining details; if painted, treat as ordinary structural steel with an epoxy/PU system, and manage rust runoff staining on adjacent concrete.

SMA490W 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
CJIS G 3114 SMA490 W/P≤ 0.180.13
Si0.15 – 0.650.4
Mn≤ 1.41.1
PW type; P type allows 0.07–0.15 P≤ 0.040.02
S≤ 0.040.01
Cupatina former0.3 – 0.50.35
Cr0.45 – 0.750.6
Ni0.05 – 0.30.15
Mooptional/residual≤ 0.1—
Voptional micro-alloy≤ 0.1—
Febalance—

SMA490W AR-HR — frequently asked

What is SMA490W AR-HR used for?

SMA490W AR-HR is typically used for bridges, highway structures and exposed steel frameworks. In short: japanese weathering structural grade; maintenance-free bridge steel; A588-class atmospheric resistance.

What is the yield strength of SMA490W AR-HR?

SMA490W AR-HR has a typical yield strength of 390 MPa (56.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 540 MPa (78.3 ksi) — weaker than 64% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.

Is SMA490W AR-HR easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Drills, saws and mills like A588/Q345 plate at ~60 % of 1212 speeds; use rigid setups and sharp carbide, expect mildly gummy chips from the higher Cu/Cr.

Can SMA490W AR-HR be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Readily welded by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with weathering-matched consumables (e.g. E7018-W1/ER80S-G) so the weld patinas with the base; preheat 50–100 °C for thick or restrained joints and keep hydrogen low.

What surface finishes work on SMA490W AR-HR?

Normally left bare to develop the protective patina — grit-blast to remove mill scale and design free-draining details; if painted, treat as ordinary structural steel with an epoxy/PU system, and manage rust runoff staining on adjacent concrete.

Can SMA490W AR-HR be formed, bent or molded?

Hot-rolled plate bends cold at ≥3t inside radius across the rolling direction; hot forming is fine but avoid finishing below ~750 °C to protect toughness.

What is the maximum service temperature of SMA490W AR-HR?

SMA490W AR-HR 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 SMA490W AR-HR and SMA490W-N?

AR-HR is the default condition — standard stocked condition for weathering-steel plate, strip and shapes up to moderate thickness. N: choose for thick plate or when guaranteed −5 °C/0 °C Charpy values and fine grain are specified. Yield strength is 390 MPa in AR-HR versus 380 MPa in N.

Sources

  1. JIS G 3114 — Hot-rolled atmospheric corrosion resisting steels for welded structures — JSA (2016)
  2. ASTM A588/A588M — High-Strength Low-Alloy Structural Steel with Atmospheric Corrosion Resistance — ASTM (2019)
  3. GB/T 4171 — Atmospheric corrosion resisting structural steel (Q355GNH) — SAC (2008)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.13C — Corrosion: Environments and Industries (weathering steels) — ASM International (2006)
  6. Weathering steel plate (SMA490AW/BW/CW) datasheet — Nippon Steel (2022)
  7. Q355GNH/SMA490W — Mysteel / 1688 (2026)

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.