Steel TRIP Steel
TRIP steel is a first-generation advanced high-strength sheet steel: a ferrite matrix with bainite, martensite and 5–15 % metastable retained austenite that transforms to martensite during forming, producing strong strain hardening.
Values for the CR condition
TRIP Steel tempers and conditions
TRIP Steel is supplied in 6 conditions, soft to hard. CR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 6 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
590 MPa class (CR340Y590T-TR) | Lowest-strength TRIP class: choose when very deep draws or stretch flanging dominate and 590 MPa is enough. | 400 | 630 | 30 | 190 HB | 7.9 % IACS |
690 MPa class (HCT690T / CR400Y690T-TR) | Balanced class for seat structures and reinforcements needing high elongation with ~700 MPa strength. | 450 | 730 | 28 | 19 HRC | 7.7 % IACS |
Hot rolled | Pick for chassis, control arms and wheel parts in 2–6 mm gauge where cold-rolled thickness limits are exceeded; slightly coarser structure, lower elongation. | 460 | 750 | 24 | 20 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
CRDefault Cold rolled | Standard stocked condition: cold rolled annealed TRIP sheet without metallic coating, for painted/e-coated interior structure and for lab or prototype forming trials. | 490 | 820 | 25 | 24 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
780 MPa class (HCT780T / CR450Y780T-TR) | Most widely used TRIP class: crash-energy absorbing B-pillar and rail parts requiring both 780 MPa and >20 % elongation. | 490 | 820 | 25 | 24 HRC | 7.5 % IACS |
980 MPa class (CR700Y980T-TR) | Highest TRIP strength class for anti-intrusion members; expect reduced elongation, higher springback and tighter spot-welding limits. | 640 | 1,020 | 17 | 31 HRC | 7.2 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways TRIP Steel is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
EG | Electrogalvanized (ZE) TRIP sheet | Coating |
GA | Galvannealed (zinc-iron alloy, ZF) TRIP sheet | Coating |
Galvanized | Hot-dip zinc coated (GI, Z) TRIP sheet | Coating |
What is TRIP Steel?
TRIP steel is a first-generation advanced high-strength sheet steel: a ferrite matrix with bainite, martensite and 5–15 % metastable retained austenite that transforms to martensite during forming, producing strong strain hardening. The resulting strength–elongation combination exceeds DP steel of the same class, so TRIP590 through TRIP980 sheet is stamped into B-pillars, rails, bumper beams and seat structures, bare or zinc-coated (GI, GA, EG). High Si and Al narrow the galvanizing and spot-welding windows, springback and delayed edge cracking need control, and thickness is usually 0.6–2.5 mm; it is not used as structural plate or machining stock. TRIP Steel has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F). TRIP Steel has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
What is TRIP Steel used for?
- B-pillar reinforcements
- Crash structures and front rails
- Bumper beams
- Cross members
- Seat frames
- Rocker and floor reinforcements
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 72/100, better than 88% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 25%, better than 77% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 30 W/m·K (17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of steel grades
TRIP Steel properties
Typical room-temperature values for TRIP Steel-CR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
TRIP Steel has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical14
TRIP Steel has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
TRIP Steel is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 30 W/m·K (17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.5 µm/m·K (6.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
TRIP Steel conducts electricity at 7.5 % IACS, worse than 67% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 86% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TRIP Steel takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
TRIP Steel's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades); weldability good (62/100); formability very good (72/100).
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. TRIP Steel is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with TRIP Steel
Is TRIP Steel easy to machine?
Rarely machined; if drilling/trimming is needed use rigid setups, carbide or coated carbide, low speed and high feed — the retained austenite transforms and work-hardens the cut surface, and laser or waterjet trimming is usually preferred.
Can TRIP Steel be welded?
Resistance spot welding is standard but needs higher electrode force, pulsed or stepped current and possible post-pulse tempering; high Si/Al and C give hard, notch-sensitive nuggets, and laser or MAG welds show HAZ softening plus loss of TRIP effect.
Can TRIP Steel be formed, bent or molded?
Cold stamp with high-n TRIP behaviour: good stretch and deep draw, but plan for high forming loads, strong springback compensation, generous die radii and hole-expansion/delayed-cracking checks on sheared edges.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to TRIP Steel. Every TRIP Steel part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent72 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better62 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
TRIP Steel 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cstabilizes retained austenite | 0.12 – 0.25 | 0.2 |
| Sisuppresses carbide precipitation during bainitic hold; complicates galvanizing | 0.5 – 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Mnhardenability and austenite stabilization | 1.2 – 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Alpartial Si substitute in galvanizable TRIP grades | 0.02 – 2 | 0.05 |
| PEN 10338 limit; sometimes used as carbide suppressor | ≤ 0.12 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Nbmicroalloy grain refiner (optional) | ≤ 0.09 | 0.03 |
| Tioptional | ≤ 0.12 | 0.02 |
| Voptional | ≤ 0.2 | |
| Cr+Mooptional, retards pearlite | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on TRIP Steel?
Supply zinc-coated (GI/GA/EG) or phosphate + e-coat; bare TRIP rusts quickly, and paint-bake cycles (~170 °C/20 min) give a useful bake-hardening yield increase rather than harm.
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 TRIP Steel in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- Transformation Induced Plasticity Steel
How much does TRIP Steel cost?
TRIP Steel is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 61% 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.
TRIP Steel — frequently asked
What is TRIP Steel used for?
TRIP Steel is typically used for B-pillar reinforcements, crash structures and front rails, bumper beams, cross members, seat frames and rocker and floor reinforcements. In short: crash-grade TRIP sheet.
What is the yield strength of TRIP Steel?
TRIP Steel has a typical yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is TRIP Steel easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 84% of steel grades). Rarely machined; if drilling/trimming is needed use rigid setups, carbide or coated carbide, low speed and high feed — the retained austenite transforms and work-hardens the cut surface, and laser or waterjet trimming is usually preferred.
Can TRIP Steel be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (62/100). Resistance spot welding is standard but needs higher electrode force, pulsed or stepped current and possible post-pulse tempering; high Si/Al and C give hard, notch-sensitive nuggets, and laser or MAG welds show HAZ softening plus loss of TRIP effect.
What surface finishes work on TRIP Steel?
Supply zinc-coated (GI/GA/EG) or phosphate + e-coat; bare TRIP rusts quickly, and paint-bake cycles (~170 °C/20 min) give a useful bake-hardening yield increase rather than harm.
Can TRIP Steel be formed, bent or molded?
Cold stamp with high-n TRIP behaviour: good stretch and deep draw, but plan for high forming loads, strong springback compensation, generous die radii and hole-expansion/delayed-cracking checks on sheared edges.
What is the maximum service temperature of TRIP Steel?
TRIP Steel is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between TRIP Steel-CR and TRIP Steel TRIP980?
CR is the default condition — standard stocked condition: cold rolled annealed TRIP sheet without metallic coating, for painted/e-coated interior structure and for lab or prototype forming trials. TRIP980: highest TRIP strength class for anti-intrusion members; expect reduced elongation, higher springback and tighter spot-welding limits. Yield strength is 490 MPa in CR versus 640 MPa in TRIP980.
How much does TRIP Steel cost?
TRIP Steel is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 61% 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 TRIP Steel?
Yes — TRIP Steel 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
- EN 10338 — Hot rolled and cold rolled uncoated products of multiphase steels for cold forming — CEN (2015)
- VDA 239-100 — Sheet steel for cold forming (CR450Y780T-TR etc.) — VDA (2016)
- Advanced High-Strength Steels Application Guidelines v7 — WorldAutoSteel (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- TRIP 690 / TRIP 780 cold rolled steel datasheets — ArcelorMittal / thyssenkrupp Steel (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.