Steel SPHC
JIS SPHC
SPHC is the JIS G3131 commercial-quality hot-rolled low-carbon steel sheet/coil (C ≤ 0.15 %), the cheapest general-purpose flat steel used for brackets, enclosures, tubing, frames and simple stampings.
Values for the HR condition
SPHC tempers and conditions
SPHC is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cold rolled | Choose for thin gauges, bright smooth surface and tight thickness tolerance in stampings and enclosures (commercially supplied as SPCC-equivalent). | 215 | 315 | 38 | 105 HB | 10.5 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Default and cheapest form: structural brackets, weldments, tube stock where surface finish and tight tolerance are unimportant. | 240 | 310 | 38 | 110 HB | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways SPHC is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
PO | Hot rolled, pickled and oiled | Surface finish |
Galvanized | Hot-dip zinc coated | Coating |
What is SPHC?
SPHC is the JIS G3131 commercial-quality hot-rolled low-carbon steel sheet/coil (C ≤ 0.15 %), the cheapest general-purpose flat steel used for brackets, enclosures, tubing, frames and simple stampings. It is chosen for very low cost, excellent weldability and adequate cold formability rather than for strength; the pickled-and-oiled (HRPO) version is bought when a clean, mill-scale-free surface is needed for painting or tight bends. Limits are low and loosely controlled strength, mill-scale/thickness tolerances on as-rolled material, and essentially no corrosion resistance without coating. SPHC 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). SPHC has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is SPHC used for?
- Welded frames
- Heavy equipment panels
- Brackets and gussets
- Structural tube and pipe stock
- Base and mounting plates
- Chassis members
- Simple hot-formed stampings
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 38%, better than 98% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 68/100, better than 95% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 93% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 240 MPa (34.8 ksi), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
SPHC properties
Typical room-temperature values for SPHC-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
SPHC 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
SPHC has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
SPHC is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SPHC conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SPHC takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
SPHC's machinability is good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability very good (80/100).
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. SPHC is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with SPHC
Is SPHC easy to machine?
Free-machining it is not — soft and gummy, so use positive rake, sharp tools, high feed and coolant to avoid built-up edge and burrs; ~68 % of AISI 1212.
Can SPHC be welded?
Excellent for MIG/TIG/spot/resistance welding with ER70S-6 and no preheat; on galvanized material remove or fume-extract the zinc coating.
Can SPHC be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and stamping (bend radius ≈ 1×t for HR, tighter for pickled/CR); allow for coil-to-coil property scatter and mill scale cracking on tight bends.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to SPHC. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Better80 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better95 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
SPHC 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 G3131 SPHC | ≤ 0.15 | 0.08 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Sinot specified in JIS; typical Al-killed/rimmed practice | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on SPHC?
Descale/pickle then phosphate + powder coat, e-coat, paint or zinc/zinc-nickel plate; bare surfaces flash-rust within days and need oiling.
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).
Plating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel SPHC in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- JIS
- A1011
- Trade names
- hot rolled pickled and oiledhot rolled sheet SPHCHRPOSPHC Hot RolledSPHC HR
How much does SPHC cost?
SPHC is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 100% 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.
SPHC — frequently asked
What is SPHC used for?
SPHC is typically used for welded frames, heavy equipment panels, brackets and gussets, structural tube and pipe stock, base and mounting plates and chassis members. In short: standard hot-rolled structural.
What is the yield strength of SPHC?
SPHC has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is SPHC easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades). Free-machining it is not — soft and gummy, so use positive rake, sharp tools, high feed and coolant to avoid built-up edge and burrs; ~68 % of AISI 1212.
Can SPHC be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent for MIG/TIG/spot/resistance welding with ER70S-6 and no preheat; on galvanized material remove or fume-extract the zinc coating.
What surface finishes work on SPHC?
Descale/pickle then phosphate + powder coat, e-coat, paint or zinc/zinc-nickel plate; bare surfaces flash-rust within days and need oiling.
Can SPHC be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and stamping (bend radius ≈ 1×t for HR, tighter for pickled/CR); allow for coil-to-coil property scatter and mill scale cracking on tight bends.
What is the maximum service temperature of SPHC?
SPHC is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between SPHC-HR and SPHC-CR?
HR is the default condition — default and cheapest form: structural brackets, weldments, tube stock where surface finish and tight tolerance are unimportant. CR: choose for thin gauges, bright smooth surface and tight thickness tolerance in stampings and enclosures (commercially supplied as SPCC-equivalent). Yield strength is 240 MPa in HR versus 215 MPa in CR.
How much does SPHC cost?
SPHC is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 100% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in SPHC?
Yes — SPHC is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- JIS G 3131 — Hot-rolled mild steel plates, sheets and strip — JISC (2018)
- JIS G 3141 — Cold-reduced carbon steel sheets and strip (SPCC) — JISC (2021)
- JIS G 3302 — Hot-dip zinc-coated steel sheets and coils — JISC (2019)
- GB/T 912 / GB/T 3274 — Hot-rolled carbon structural steel sheet and coil — SAC (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook (machinability ratings) — Industrial Press (2020)
- worldsteel LCI data for hot-rolled coil — World Steel Association (2023)
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.