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Steel SS490-CD (Cold drawn)

Supply condition

JIS SS490

Cold-drawn round/flat bar for shafts and machined parts: higher strength and hardness, better surface and size tolerance, lower ductility.

Budget cost $

Values for the CD condition

Other SS490 tempers and conditions

SS490 is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at SS490.

Compare all 7 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
Solution annealed
Softest condition, used before heavy cold forming or deep machining; strength drops below the SS490 spec minimum.26046030135 HB10 % IACS
hot rolled heavy plate
Heavy hot-rolled plate/section; minimum yield falls to 255 MPa (235 MPa above 100 mm) and toughness scatter increases.28551023148 HB10 % IACS
HR 16–40 mm
Same as-rolled steel in 16–40 mm thickness, where the specified minimum yield drops to 275 MPa.30552022152 HB10 % IACS
Stress relieved
Post-weld stress relief (typ. 580–620 °C) for dimensionally stable machine frames and pressure-bearing weldments.30551524148 HB10 % IACS
HRDefault
Hot rolled
Standard mill condition for plate, sheet, sections and flats up to 16 mm; the default stock form.32053021155 HB—
Normalized
Choose when a uniform fine grain and better/consistent toughness are needed in thick welded structures.32052025150 HB10 % IACS
CDThis page
Cold drawn
Cold-drawn round/flat bar for shafts and machined parts: higher strength and hardness, better surface and size tolerance, lower ductility.49060012180 HB10 % IACS

What is SS490-CD?

SS490-CD is SS490 supplied in the CD condition — cold-drawn round/flat bar for shafts and machined parts: higher strength and hardness, better surface and size tolerance, lower ductility. SS490-CD has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). SS490-CD 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; CD is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Easy to machine — 66/100, better than 95% of steel grades
  • Conducts heat well — 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades
  • High electrical conductivity — 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 84% of steel grades
  • Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
  • Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 78% of steel grades

SS490-CD properties

Typical room-temperature values for SS490-CD; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are SS490 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

SS490-CD 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).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,425°C2,597 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,510°C2,750 °F

Mechanical16

SS490-CD has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus205 GPa29.7 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.29
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)600 MPa87 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)490 MPa71.1 ksi
Elongation at Break12%
Reduction in Area40%
Compressive Strength490 MPa71.1 ksi
Shear Strength400 MPa58 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)265 MPa38.4 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)25 J18.4 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell180 HB
Hardness, Rockwell B89 HRB
Hardness, Vickers190 HV

Thermal6

SS490-CD is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 50 W/m·K (28.9 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity50 W/m·K28.9 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 Fusion250 J/g107 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)300°C572 °F
Min Service Temperature-20°C-4 °F

Electrical3

SS490-CD conducts electricity at 10 % IACS, better than 83% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity10 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.7×10⁻⁷ Ω·m6.69 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.65 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended10/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryRusts freely in moist air, seawater and any acid; needs paint, galvanizing or oil. Acceptable in dry indoor service and in alkaline/concrete environments.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of SS490-CD takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 30%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)25 MJ/kg10,748 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water40 L/kg4.8 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content30%

Manufacturability7

SS490-CD's machinability is good (66/100, better than 95% of steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability fair (40/100).

MachinabilityGood66/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)70%
WeldabilityVery good70/100
Formability (cold)Fair40/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityGood60/100
PolishabilityFair45/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use paint, hot-dip galvanizing, zinc-rich primer or phosphating instead

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

Working with SS490-CD

Is SS490 easy to machine?

Machines like 1020–1025 mild steel at ~60 % of 1212; use positive-rake carbide, generous coolant and chip breakers to avoid gummy stringy chips.

Can SS490 be welded?

Readily welded by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with E70xx-class consumables; check heat-number carbon equivalent and preheat 100–150 °C for sections above ~30 mm since C is not capped by the standard.

Can SS490 be formed, bent or molded?

Cold bends fine at 1.5–2t radius across the rolling direction; hot forming 900–1200 °C, avoid working in the 200–400 °C blue-brittle range.

What surface finishes work on SS490?

No natural corrosion protection — shot-blast to Sa 2½ then prime/paint, hot-dip galvanize, or phosphate-and-oil; not anodizable.

SS490 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
Cnot specified by JIS G3101; typical mill value 0.15–0.25 %≈ 0.20.2
Sinot specified; typical 0.10–0.40 %≈ 0.250.25
Mnnot specified; typical 0.60–1.20 %≈ 0.90.9
PJIS G3101 limit≤ 0.050.02
SJIS G3101 limit≤ 0.050.02
Febalance—

SS490-CD — frequently asked

What is SS490-CD used for?

SS490-CD is typically used for structural steel, machine frames, shipbuilding and general fabrication. In short: stronger than SS400; low-cost structural plate; moderate weldability only.

What is the yield strength of SS490-CD?

SS490-CD has a typical yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 600 MPa (87 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is SS490-CD easy to machine?

Reasonably — machinability is rated good (66/100, better than 95% of steel grades). Machines like 1020–1025 mild steel at ~60 % of 1212; use positive-rake carbide, generous coolant and chip breakers to avoid gummy stringy chips.

Can SS490-CD be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Readily welded by SMAW/GMAW/SAW with E70xx-class consumables; check heat-number carbon equivalent and preheat 100–150 °C for sections above ~30 mm since C is not capped by the standard.

What surface finishes work on SS490-CD?

No natural corrosion protection — shot-blast to Sa 2½ then prime/paint, hot-dip galvanize, or phosphate-and-oil; not anodizable.

Can SS490-CD be formed, bent or molded?

Cold bends fine at 1.5–2t radius across the rolling direction; hot forming 900–1200 °C, avoid working in the 200–400 °C blue-brittle range.

What is the maximum service temperature of SS490-CD?

SS490-CD is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between SS490-HR and SS490-CD?

HR is the default condition — standard mill condition for plate, sheet, sections and flats up to 16 mm; the default stock form. CD: cold-drawn round/flat bar for shafts and machined parts: higher strength and hardness, better surface and size tolerance, lower ductility. Yield strength is 320 MPa in HR versus 490 MPa in CD.

Sources

  1. JIS G3101 — Rolled steels for general structure — Japanese Standards Association (2020)
  2. ASTM A36/A36M — Carbon Structural Steel — ASTM International (2019)
  3. GB/T 1591 — High strength low alloy structural steels (Q355 comparison) — SAC (2018)
  4. ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol.19 — Fatigue and Fracture — ASM International (1996)
  6. Mysteel / SMM (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.