S235JRH steel (1.0039): properties, composition, equivalents
S235JRH (1.0039) is S235JR as a hollow section: 235 MPa yield, 360–510 MPa tensile, 27 J at +20 °C, SHS/RHS/CHS to EN 10219 or EN 10210. Chemistry, tolerances, buckling curves, A500 Grade B / STKR400 / Q235B equivalents.
What is S235JRH?
S235JRH is what a box section, MS square tube or CHS made in Europe is certified to: the general structural steel S235JR delivered as a hollow section, H for hollow, under EN 10219 (cold-formed, welded) or EN 10210 (hot-finished). Werkstoff number 1.0039. Yield 235 MPa, tensile 360–510 MPa, 27 J at room temperature — the same numbers as the flat product, with the hollow-section standards adding the geometry, tolerances and sectional properties a designer needs.
Cold-formed EN 10219 sections are made on a tube mill from S235JR-quality strip, high-frequency welded, then sized square or rectangular; the corners work-harden, which is why EN 10219 quotes 24 % elongation against 26 % for the hot-finished EN 10210 product and assigns buckling curve c instead of a. For fences, furniture, canopies, racking, greenhouse and light building frames S235JRH is the default; for columns, trusses, cranes and anything designed to 355 MPa or needing −20 °C toughness, S355J2H is specified.
ASTM A500 Grade B, JIS STKR400 and GB Q235B are the market equivalents; all are slightly stronger on paper because of how their yield is measured on the formed section.
S235JRH chemical composition
| Element | Mass % | Note |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.17 | |
| Mn | ≤ 1.4 | |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | |
| N | ≤ 0.009 | not applicable if Al ≥ 0.020 |
Ladle analysis, EN 10219-1:2019 Table B.1 (same as S235JR of EN 10025-2). CEV max 0.35 %. Deoxidation: at manufacturer's discretion (FN for JR).
S235JRH mechanical properties
| Thickness / condition | Yield strength ReH / Rp0.2 MPa (ksi) | Tensile strength Rm MPa (ksi) | Elongation A % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN 10219 cold-formed, t ≤ 16 mm | 235 (34.1) | 360–510 (52.2–74.0) | 24 | ≈ 100–140 HB (typ.) |
| EN 10210 hot-finished, t ≤ 16 mm | 235 (34.1) | 360–510 (52.2–74.0) | 26 | — |
| EN 10210 hot-finished, > 16 ≤ 40 mm | 225 (32.6) | 360–510 (52.2–74.0) | 25 | — |
| S275J0H / J2H (for comparison) | 275 (39.9) | 410–560 (59.5–81.2) | 20 (10219) / 22 (10210) | — |
| S355J2H / K2H | 355 (51.5) | 470–630 (68.2–91.4) | 20 (10219) / 22 (10210) | — |
EN 10219-1:2019 Table B.3 and EN 10210-1:2006 Table A.3; A longitudinal, L0 = 5.65√S0. Cold forming raises the yield in the corners; EN 1993-1-3 / EN 1993-1-1 give the design values (fy = 235 MPa) and the cold-formed sections are assigned buckling curve c (hot-finished: a).
Impact toughness
S235JRH requires a minimum Charpy V-notch energy of 27 J at 20 °C (longitudinal). JR = 27 J at +20 °C. For 0 °C or −20 °C order S275J0H/S355J0H or S355J2H; S235 is not offered in J0/J2 hollow-section qualities.
S235JRH equivalent grades
| Grade | System | Match | Why / differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| S235JR | EN (European) | Identical | Same steel as flat/long product to EN 10025-2; the H suffix only marks the hollow-section delivery standard. |
| A500 Grade B | ASTM / ASME | Near | ASTM A500 Grade B cold-formed welded HSS: 290 MPa yield (round) / 317 MPa (shaped), 400 MPa tensile — the US box-section grade, slightly stronger than S235JRH; Grade C (345 MPa) ≈ S355J2H. |
| Q235B (GB/T 6728) | GB/T (China) | Near | Chinese cold-formed hollow sections on Q235B: 235 MPa yield, 370–500 MPa tensile, 27 J at +20 °C. |
| Ст3сп/пс (GOST 30245 / 8639) | GOST (Russia/CIS) | Near | CIS square and rectangular tube on Ст3 steel, 245 MPa yield class. |
| STKR400 / STK400 | JIS (Japan) | Near | JIS G3466 (rectangular) / G3444 (circular) structural tube: yield ≥ 245 MPa, tensile ≥ 400 MPa. |
| S355J2H | EN (European) | Functional | The high-strength hollow-section grade for primary members and EN 1090 EXC2/3 components. |
| S195T | EN (European) | Functional | EN 10255 pipe steel for water/gas lines — not a structural grade; use S235JRH when the tube is a member. |
Identical = same composition and mechanical limits within rounding. Near = one limit differs (e.g. carbon max or impact temperature). Functional = interchangeable for most uses after an engineering check. Full cross-reference for S235JRH →
Old and superseded designations
| Old name | Standard | Note |
|---|---|---|
| RSt37-2 (Hohlprofil) | DIN 17100 / DIN 59411 | German cold-formed hollow sections in RSt37-2. |
| Fe360BH | EN 10219:1997 (draft names) / EN 10025:1990 | |
| 43C hollow | BS 6363 / BS 4360 | British cold-formed hollow sections. |
Product forms and tolerance standards
Product forms: cold-formed welded square, rectangular and circular hollow sections (EN 10219): SHS 20×20–400×400, RHS to 500×300, CHS to 508 mm, wall 1.5–16 mm, hot-finished hollow sections (EN 10210) in the same grade, wall to 40 mm, lengths 6–18 m.
Dimensional tolerances: EN 10219-2: outside dimension ±1 % (min ±0.5 mm), wall ±10 %, squareness 90° ±1°, straightness 0.2 % of length, corner radius 1.6–3.0 t depending on wall; EN 10210-2 (hot-finished): corner radius ≤ 3 t, mass ±6 %; sectional properties tabulated in Part 2 of each standard.
Key property values
S235JRH yield strength
≥ 235 MPa (34 ksi) up to 16 mm wall; 225 MPa for 16–40 mm (hot-finished). Corner regions of cold-formed sections test 280–350 MPa.
S235JRH tensile strength
360–510 MPa (52–74 ksi).
S235JRH elongation
≥ 24 % cold-formed (EN 10219) / ≥ 26 % hot-finished (EN 10210), longitudinal.
Impact toughness
27 J at +20 °C (JR). No J0/J2 variant exists for S235 hollow sections — step to S275J0H or S355J2H for cold climates.
Design values (EN 1993)
fy = 235 MPa, fu = 360 MPa; buckling curve c (cold-formed) or a (hot-finished) for flexural buckling; cross-section class depends on b/t — e.g. 100×100×4 is class 1 in S235.
Physical properties
Density 7.85 g/cm³, E = 210 GPa, G = 81 GPa; mass per metre and section properties per EN 10219-2 tables (e.g. SHS 40×40×2: 2.31 kg/m; 100×100×4: 11.9 kg/m).
Weldability
Excellent weldability (CEV ≤ 0.35): MAG, MMA, TIG and submerged-arc without preheat at any wall thickness in the range. Cold-formed corners may be welded in S235JRH without restriction (EN 1993-1-8 limits on welding in cold-formed zones apply from r/t ratios that S235 sections normally satisfy). Galvanized sections: remove zinc 20–30 mm from the joint, ventilate.
Machining, forming and heat treatment
Sawing, drilling, punching, laser tube cutting (holes, slots, mitres to DXF), bending on section benders (radius ≥ 5–8 × section depth) and swaging are routine. Cold forming of the finished section (further bending) is allowed within EN 1993-1-3 limits; hot bending changes properties and is not permitted without re-certification.
Typical applications
- Square and rectangular hollow sections for fences, gates, handrail and furniture
- Canopy, greenhouse, shed and light building frames
- Racking, mezzanines and platforms
- Machine frames, conveyor structures
- Scaffold and formwork components (also S195T / EN 39)
- Sign posts, lighting columns, guardrail posts
- Secondary members in EN 1090 EXC1/EXC2 structures
Frequently asked questions
What does the H in S235JRH mean?
Hollow section: the same S235JR steel delivered as a structural hollow section under EN 10219 (cold-formed welded) or EN 10210 (hot-finished), which add the dimensional tolerances and sectional properties.
Is S235JRH the same as S235JR?
Same chemistry and strength. S235JRH is the designation printed on the certificate of a hollow section; S235JR on plate, strip, bar and sections.
What is the ASTM equivalent of S235JRH?
ASTM A500 Grade B (290–317 MPa yield, 400 MPa tensile) is the nearest cold-formed HSS grade; JIS STKR400 and GB Q235B are the Asian equivalents.
S235JRH or S355J2H — which should I specify?
S235JRH for fences, furniture, racking, light frames and non-critical members; S355J2H when the design uses 355 MPa yield, for primary members, cranes, cold climates (27 J at −20 °C) and EN 1090 EXC2/3 components.
EN 10219 or EN 10210 hollow sections?
EN 10219 = cold-formed welded (tighter corners, buckling curve c, cheaper, the usual choice); EN 10210 = hot-finished (larger corner radii, stress-relieved, buckling curve a, better for fatigue and dynamic loads). Both use the same grade names.
Can S235JRH hollow sections be galvanized?
Yes — pre-galvanized strip (Z275) for light sections, or hot-dip galvanizing after fabrication to EN ISO 1461 for structural members; vent holes are required for closed sections.
Related grades
Verified against EN 10219-1:2019; EN 10219-1:2019 Tables B.1 and B.3; EN 10219-2:2019 (tolerances, dimensions); EN 10210-1:2006 / -2:2019; EN 1993-1-1 / EN 1993-1-3 (buckling curves); ASTM A500/A500M-23; JIS G3466:2018. Last checked: September 2026.