S235JR vs P265GH: differences explained
S235JR vs P265GH (and P235GH): structural vs pressure-vessel steel — similar strength (235–265 MPa yield) but P…GH adds guaranteed yield to 400 °C, −20 °C impact, S ≤ 0.010 %, normalizing and per-plate PED testing. Why you cannot swap them, with the full table.
Overview
S235JR and P265GH (or its lower class P235GH) look alike on a certificate — both are low-carbon steels around 235–265 MPa yield — which is why S235 plate turns up, wrongly, in vessel and boiler drawings. The difference is not so much the steel as the guarantee package and the legal status. P265GH is made to EN 10028-2 for pressure equipment: yield strength tabulated from 50 to 400 °C, Charpy 27 J at −20 °C, sulphur ≤ 0.010 %, aluminium-killed and normalized, carbon equivalent capped, and tested and certified plate by plate under the Pressure Equipment Directive. S235JR is made to EN 10025-2 for buildings and machinery: room-temperature properties only, 27 J at +20 °C, P/S ≤ 0.035 %, tested per heat.
The result: P265GH can always do S235JR's job (and S275JR's), but S235JR can never be used for a PED-scope pressure part without a particular material appraisal. The table compares S235JR with P265GH; the P235GH row shows the lower pressure class that matches S235 on strength.
S235JR vs P265GH side by side
| Property | S235JR | P265GH |
|---|---|---|
| Standard / purpose | EN 10025-2 — hot-rolled structural steel | EN 10028-2 — flat products for pressure purposes, elevated temperature |
| Material number | 1.0038 | 1.0425 (P235GH: 1.0345) |
| Old name | St37-2 | HII (P235GH: HI) |
| Legal scope | CPR (construction products), EN 1090 | PED 2014/68/EU, EN 13445 / EN 12952 / AD 2000 |
| Yield ≤ 16 mm | 235 MPa | 265 MPa (P235GH: 235 MPa) |
| Yield at 300 °C | not guaranteed | 173 MPa (P235GH: 152 MPa) |
| Yield at 400 °C | not guaranteed | 145 MPa (P235GH: 128 MPa) |
| Tensile | 360–510 MPa | 410–530 MPa (P235GH: 360–480 MPa) |
| Elongation | ≥ 26 % | ≥ 23 % (P235GH: ≥ 25 %) |
| Impact (transverse) | 27 J at +20 °C (longitudinal) | 27 J at −20 °C, 31 J at 0 °C, 34 J at +20 °C (transverse) |
| Carbon max | 0.17 % | 0.20 % (P235GH: 0.16 %) |
| Mn | ≤ 1.40 % | 0.80–1.40 % (P235GH: 0.60–1.20 %) |
| S max | 0.035 % | 0.010 % |
| P max | 0.035 % | 0.025 % |
| Al / N | N ≤ 0.012 (Al optional) | Al ≥ 0.020 total, N ≤ 0.012 — fully killed, fine grain |
| Residuals (Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Nb, Ti, V) | Cu ≤ 0.55 only | each limited; Cr+Cu+Mo+Ni ≤ 0.70 |
| CEV max | 0.35 % (≤ 30 mm) | 0.40 % (≤ 60 mm) |
| Delivery condition | +AR, +N or +M at mill's option | +N mandatory > 16 mm (normalized or normalizing-rolled) |
| Testing frequency | per heat / per 40 t (option A) | per plate (or per heat-treatment batch) — EN 10028-1 |
| Inspection document | 2.2 or 3.1 | 3.1 minimum, 3.2 common (PED category III/IV) |
| Creep data | none | informative creep rupture to ~480 °C |
| Price | 1.00 | ≈ 1.15–1.30 |
| Typical use | frames, beams, tanks (non-pressure), general fabrication | boilers, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, LPG tanks, steam equipment |
Which should you choose?
P265GH (or P235GH) for anything that holds pressure or runs hot: boilers, air receivers, heat-exchanger shells, LPG vessels, steam piping components, autoclaves — and for any equipment inside the Pressure Equipment Directive, where a P…GH grade with a 3.1/3.2 certificate is the only compliant route.
S235JR for structure and atmospheric equipment: frames, skids, saddles and supports of the same vessel, non-pressure tanks, hoppers, walkways. It is 15–30 % cheaper and easier to source in sections and coil.
If a shop has only P265GH in stock, using it for structural parts is fine (it exceeds S235JR/S275JR). The reverse — S235JR in a pressure shell — is a code violation regardless of the measured properties, because the elevated-temperature yield, the impact at −20 °C and the per-plate testing were never done.
- Vessel supports, saddles, skirts, skids, platforms
- Atmospheric tanks, hoppers, bins
- Building and machinery structure
- Non-pressure ducting and housings
- Cold-formed and galvanized parts
- Boiler shells, drums, headers (EN 12952/12953)
- Pressure vessels and air receivers (EN 13445, PED)
- Heat exchangers: shells, channels, tubesheets
- LPG, ammonia and refrigerant vessels
- Steam, hot-water and heat-transfer equipment to 400 °C
- Any part requiring a 3.1/3.2 pressure-equipment certificate
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between S235JR and P235GH?
Same room-temperature yield (235 MPa), but P235GH (EN 10028-2) is a pressure-vessel steel: guaranteed yield up to 400 °C, Charpy at −20 °C transverse, sulphur ≤ 0.010 %, killed and normalized, tested per plate for the Pressure Equipment Directive. S235JR (EN 10025-2) is a structural steel with room-temperature guarantees and +20 °C impact, tested per heat.
Can S235JR be used for a pressure vessel?
Not for equipment within the PED scope, except through a particular material appraisal by a notified body — which is rarely worthwhile when P235GH/P265GH exist. For non-PED items (e.g. sound engineering practice below 0.5 bar or small volumes) it may be acceptable; check EN 13445-2 and the national rules.
Can P265GH replace S235JR or S275JR?
Yes — it meets or exceeds their strength and toughness, and its 3.1 certificate is acceptable for structural use under EN 1090 if the CE marking route allows it. It costs more, so it is done only to use up stock or simplify traceability.
What is the difference between P235GH and P265GH?
Strength class: P235GH (1.0345, ex HI) has 235 MPa yield and 360–480 MPa tensile, common for tubes; P265GH (1.0425, ex HII) has 265 MPa and 410–530 MPa, the standard vessel plate. Chemistry differs slightly (C 0.16 vs 0.20 %, Mn ranges).
What are HI and HII?
The DIN 17155 names of P235GH (HI) and P265GH (HII), withdrawn in 1992 but still used in German, Turkish and Middle-East boiler practice.
What is the ASTM equivalent of P265GH?
ASTM/ASME A516 Grade 60 (near — yield 220 MPa) or Grade 65 (240 MPa); A285 Grade C for low-pressure equipment.
Related comparisons
Verified against EN 10025-2:2019 and EN 10028-2:2017. Last checked: September 2026.