Steel SPCC · finish state
Steel SPCC Tinplate
Properties of the Tinplate condition, compared with the other SPCC tempers.
Food-can and decorative-can stock: bright, solderable, non-toxic tin layer over hard cold-rolled base; formability limited by the hard temper of the base strip.
What is SPCC Tinplate?
SPCC Tinplate is SPCC supplied in the Tinplate condition — food-can and decorative-can stock: bright, solderable, non-toxic tin layer over hard cold-rolled base; formability limited by the hard temper of the base strip. SPCC Tinplate has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). SPCC Tinplate has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Tinplate is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 11 % IACS, better than 98% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 30/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 60/100, better than 83% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 100% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
SPCC Tinplate properties
Typical room-temperature values for SPCC Tinplate — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every SPCC temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
SPCC Tinplate has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical15
SPCC Tinplate has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 67% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
SPCC Tinplate is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SPCC Tinplate conducts electricity at 11 % IACS, better than 98% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is poor (30/100), better than 95% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SPCC Tinplate takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 55% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
SPCC Tinplate's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability good (60/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other SPCC tempers and conditions
SPCC is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the SPCC overview.
- HRDefaultUse for thicker, less critical parts where cold-rolled surface and tight tolerances are not needed; SPCC itself is a cold-rolled grade, so this is the SPHC/hot-rolled analogue.220 MPa yield · 55 HRB
- TinplateFood-can and decorative-can stock: bright, solderable, non-toxic tin layer over hard cold-rolled base; formability limited by the hard temper of the base strip.380 MPa yield · 72 HRB
- GalvanizedStandard choice when the part sees humidity or outdoor exposure without paint; zinc gives sacrificial protection but reduces weld electrode life and spatters.220 MPa yield · 52 HRB
- CRDefault stocking condition: annealed and skin-passed cold-rolled coil/sheet for general stamping, brackets and enclosures.195 MPa yield · 100 HB
Working with SPCC Tinplate
Is SPCC easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and coolant; expect heavy burrs on punched/drilled sheet, plan deburring.
Can SPCC be welded?
Excellent for resistance spot, MIG/MAG and laser welding with ER70S-6 class wire; no preheat needed, but remove zinc/tin coating and ventilate fumes on coated variants.
Can SPCC be formed, bent or molded?
Standard temper draws, bends and roll-forms readily (bend radius ~0.5–1×t for SD/A temper); use SPCCD/SPCCE for severe draws and watch stretcher strain in non-skin-passed sheet.
What surface finishes work on SPCC?
Bare SPCC must be protected: zinc phosphate + e-coat/powder paint, electro- or hot-dip zinc, tin, or Ni/Cr plating; oiled surface must be degreased before painting.
SPCC 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CJIS G3141 SPCC ladle analysis max | ≤ 0.15 | 0.06 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.6 | 0.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.1 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Altypical Al-killed deoxidation practice, not a JIS requirement | 0.02 – 0.07 | 0.04 |
| Fe | balance | — |
SPCC Tinplate — frequently asked
What is SPCC Tinplate used for?
SPCC Tinplate is typically used for sheet metal enclosures, PC and server chassis, appliance panels and covers, brackets and mounting plates, electrical cabinet doors and tinplate containers. In short: common commercial cold-rolled.
What is the yield strength of SPCC Tinplate?
SPCC Tinplate has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 450 MPa (65.3 ksi) — weaker than 67% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is SPCC Tinplate easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and coolant; expect heavy burrs on punched/drilled sheet, plan deburring.
Can SPCC Tinplate be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent for resistance spot, MIG/MAG and laser welding with ER70S-6 class wire; no preheat needed, but remove zinc/tin coating and ventilate fumes on coated variants.
What surface finishes work on SPCC Tinplate?
Bare SPCC must be protected: zinc phosphate + e-coat/powder paint, electro- or hot-dip zinc, tin, or Ni/Cr plating; oiled surface must be degreased before painting.
Can SPCC Tinplate be formed, bent or molded?
Standard temper draws, bends and roll-forms readily (bend radius ~0.5–1×t for SD/A temper); use SPCCD/SPCCE for severe draws and watch stretcher strain in non-skin-passed sheet.
What is the maximum service temperature of SPCC Tinplate?
SPCC Tinplate is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between SPCC-HR and SPCC-CR?
HR is the default condition — use for thicker, less critical parts where cold-rolled surface and tight tolerances are not needed; SPCC itself is a cold-rolled grade, so this is the SPHC/hot-rolled analogue. CR: default stocking condition: annealed and skin-passed cold-rolled coil/sheet for general stamping, brackets and enclosures. Yield strength is 220 MPa in HR versus 195 MPa in CR.
Can FabDigit make parts in SPCC Tinplate?
Yes — SPCC Tinplate is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- JIS G3141 — Cold-reduced carbon steel sheets and strip — JSA (2021)
- JIS G3302 — Hot-dip zinc-coated steel sheets and coils (SGCC) — JSA (2019)
- JIS G3303 — Tinplate and blackplate (SPTE) — JSA (2017)
- GB/T 5213 / GB/T 708 — SAC (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. (machinability ratings) — Industrial Press (2020)
- Cold-rolled coil datasheets (Nippon Steel / JFE / Baosteel SPCC) — mill datasheets (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.