Steel SPHE
JIS G 3131 SPHE
SPHE is the deep-drawing grade of JIS G 3131 hot-rolled low-carbon sheet and strip (SPHC commercial, SPHD drawing, SPHE deep drawing); low carbon and manganese with tight phosphorus and sulfur limits give low yield strength and high elongation.
Values for the HR condition
SPHE tempers and conditions
SPHE 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 when thin gauge (<1.6 mm), tight thickness tolerance and a clean bright surface for painting are required. | 180 | 300 | 44 | 90 HB | 12 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Standard as-supplied JIS G 3131 SPHE coil/sheet, 1.2–14 mm, for deep-drawn stampings and welded structures. | 210 | 310 | 42 | 95 HB | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways SPHE is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Galvanized | Hot-dip zinc coated | Coating |
What is SPHE?
SPHE is the deep-drawing grade of JIS G 3131 hot-rolled low-carbon sheet and strip (SPHC commercial, SPHD drawing, SPHE deep drawing); low carbon and manganese with tight phosphorus and sulfur limits give low yield strength and high elongation. It is used for stampings that need large deformation and is stocked hot-rolled, cold-rolled and galvanized. Limits are low strength (tensile about 270–380 MPa), no heat-treatable strengthening and poor bare corrosion resistance, so it ships pickled and oiled or coated. SPHD or SPHC suit shallower draws. SPHE 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). SPHE has a yield strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is SPHE used for?
- Automotive structural stampings
- Wheel discs and spokes
- Fuel tanks
- Compressor shells
- Deep-drawn enclosures
- Drawn truck panels
- Chassis brackets
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 42%, better than 100% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 96/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 92/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 11 % IACS, better than 98% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 210 MPa (30.5 ksi), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
SPHE properties
Typical room-temperature values for SPHE-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
SPHE 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).
Mechanical14
SPHE has a yield strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 42% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
SPHE is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °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
SPHE conducts electricity at 11 % IACS, better than 98% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SPHE takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
SPHE's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability excellent (96/100); formability excellent (92/100).
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. SPHE is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with SPHE
Is SPHE easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and burrs; drilling and punching are easy.
Can SPHE be welded?
Excellent for RSW, MIG, TIG, laser and projection welding with no preheat (CE ≈ 0.10–0.15); remove zinc coating fumes/ventilate on galvanized material.
Can SPHE be formed, bent or molded?
Deep-drawing grade: high n and r values allow multi-stage draws, tight-radius bends and hydroforming; guard against stretcher strains by skin-pass or timely forming.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to SPHE. Every SPHE part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent92 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Excellent96 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
SPHE 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cladle analysis, JIS G 3131 SPHE | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Alacid-soluble Al, killed steel practice for deep drawing | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on SPHE?
Pickle and oil for storage; phosphate + e-coat, powder coat, zinc plating or hot-dip galvanizing for service — no anodizing.
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 SPHE in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- JIS
- G 3131 SPHE
How much does SPHE cost?
SPHE is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 99% 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.
SPHE — frequently asked
What is SPHE used for?
SPHE is typically used for automotive structural stampings, wheel discs and spokes, fuel tanks, compressor shells, deep-drawn enclosures and drawn truck panels. In short: hot-rolled commercial sheet.
What is the yield strength of SPHE?
SPHE has a typical yield strength of 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 310 MPa (45 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is SPHE easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and burrs; drilling and punching are easy.
Can SPHE be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (96/100). Excellent for RSW, MIG, TIG, laser and projection welding with no preheat (CE ≈ 0.10–0.15); remove zinc coating fumes/ventilate on galvanized material.
What surface finishes work on SPHE?
Pickle and oil for storage; phosphate + e-coat, powder coat, zinc plating or hot-dip galvanizing for service — no anodizing.
Can SPHE be formed, bent or molded?
Deep-drawing grade: high n and r values allow multi-stage draws, tight-radius bends and hydroforming; guard against stretcher strains by skin-pass or timely forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of SPHE?
SPHE 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 SPHE-HR and SPHE-CR?
HR is the default condition — standard as-supplied JIS G 3131 SPHE coil/sheet, 1.2–14 mm, for deep-drawn stampings and welded structures. CR: choose when thin gauge (<1.6 mm), tight thickness tolerance and a clean bright surface for painting are required. Yield strength is 210 MPa in HR versus 180 MPa in CR.
How much does SPHE cost?
SPHE is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 99% 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 SPHE?
Yes — SPHE is available for sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- JIS G 3131 — Hot-rolled mild steel plates, sheets and strip — JSA (2018)
- JIS G 3141 — Cold-reduced carbon steel sheets and strip — JSA (2021)
- GB/T 3274 / GB/T 5213 ( Q195/DC03 ) — SAC (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.