S355J2H steel (1.0576): properties, composition, equivalents
S355J2H (1.0576) is the high-strength hollow-section grade: 355 MPa yield, 470–630 MPa tensile, 27 J at −20 °C, SHS/RHS/CHS to EN 10219 and EN 10210. Chemistry, tolerances, buckling curves, A500 Grade C / A1085 / STKR490 equivalents.
What is S355J2H?
S355J2H is the grade engineers write on the drawing when a hollow section is a primary member: columns, truss chords, crane and stadium structures, offshore and machinery frames. It is S355J2 — 355 MPa yield, 470–630 MPa tensile, 27 J at −20 °C — delivered as a structural hollow section (H) under EN 10219 (cold-formed welded) or EN 10210 (hot-finished). Werkstoff number 1.0576. The −20 °C toughness is what separates it from S355J0H (0 °C) and makes it the default in EN 1090 EXC2/EXC3 components and in cold-climate export markets.
Cold-formed EN 10219 sections are roll-formed and HF-welded from S355J2 strip; the corners work-harden, elongation is 20 % (22 % hot-finished) and buckling curve c applies. For fatigue-loaded or dynamically loaded members, EN 10210 hot-finished sections — stress-relieved, larger corner radii, curve a — are preferred, at a premium. Thermomechanical S420MH/S460MH exist in EN 10219 for weight-critical trusses.
ASTM A500 Grade C and A1085, JIS STKR490, GB Q355B/D and GOST 09Г2С tube are the market equivalents.
S355J2H chemical composition
| Element | Mass % | Note |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.22 | |
| Si | ≤ 0.55 | |
| Mn | ≤ 1.6 | |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 |
Ladle analysis, EN 10219-1:2019 Table B.1 (as S355J2 of EN 10025-2). Fully killed (FF); CEV max 0.45 % (≤ 16 mm). S355J0H has the same chemistry with P/S ≤ 0.035; S355K2H requires 40 J at −20 °C.
S355J2H 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 | 355 (51.5) | 470–630 (68.2–91.4) | 20 | ≈ 150–190 HB (typ.) |
| EN 10210 hot-finished, t ≤ 16 mm | 355 (51.5) | 470–630 (68.2–91.4) | 22 | — |
| EN 10210 hot-finished, > 16 ≤ 40 mm | 345 (50.0) | 470–630 (68.2–91.4) | 21 | — |
| S275J2H (for comparison) | 275 (39.9) | 410–560 (59.5–81.2) | 20 / 22 | — |
| S420MH / S460MH (EN 10219, TM) | 420 / 460 (60.9 / 66.7) | 500–660 / 530–720 (72.5–95.7 / 76.9–104.4) | 19 | — |
EN 10219-1:2019 Table B.3 and EN 10210-1:2006 Table A.3; A longitudinal, L0 = 5.65√S0. Design per EN 1993-1-1 with fy = 355 MPa; cold-formed sections take buckling curve c, hot-finished curve a. EN 1993-1-8 restricts welding within 5 t of cold-formed corners for r/t < 1.5–3 depending on wall.
Impact toughness
S355J2H requires a minimum Charpy V-notch energy of 27 J at -20 °C (longitudinal). J0H: 27 J at 0 °C; K2H: 40 J at −20 °C. J2H is the standard ordering grade for structural hollow sections in Europe and the Gulf.
S355J2H equivalent grades
| Grade | System | Match | Why / differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| S355J2 | EN (European) | Identical | Same steel as plate, strip and sections to EN 10025-2; H marks the hollow-section standard. |
| A500 Grade C | ASTM / ASME | Near | ASTM A500 Grade C cold-formed welded HSS: 317 MPa (round) / 345 MPa (shaped) yield, 427 MPa tensile — the US structural box-section grade; A1085 (345 MPa, tighter tolerances, 25 J at 4 °C) is closer to EN 10219 S355J2H. |
| A1085 | ASTM / ASME | Near | ASTM A1085 HSS: 345 MPa yield, 450 MPa tensile, Charpy option, tolerances aligned with EN 10219 — the closest US specification. |
| S420MH | EN (European) | Near | Thermomechanical high-strength hollow-section grade of EN 10219 for weight-critical trusses. |
| Q355B / Q355D (GB/T 6728) | GB/T (China) | Near | Chinese cold-formed hollow sections on Q355: 355 MPa yield; D quality has 27 J at −20 °C like J2H. |
| 09Г2С (GOST 30245) | GOST (Russia/CIS) | Near | CIS square and rectangular tube on 09Г2С low-alloy steel, 345 MPa yield, −40 °C impact. |
| STKR490 / STK490 | JIS (Japan) | Near | JIS G3466 / G3444 structural tube: yield ≥ 325 MPa, tensile ≥ 490 MPa. |
| S235JRH | EN (European) | Functional | The general-purpose hollow-section grade for light frames and fences. |
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 S355J2H →
Old and superseded designations
| Old name | Standard | Note |
|---|---|---|
| St52-3 (Hohlprofil) | DIN 17100 / DIN 59411 | German hollow sections in St52-3; direct predecessor. |
| Fe510DH | EN 10025:1990 / EN 10219:1997 draft | |
| 50D hollow | BS 6363 / BS 4360 | British cold-formed hollow sections. |
| S355J2G3H | EN 10210:1994 | Normalized hot-finished variant; merged into S355J2H. |
Product forms and tolerance standards
Product forms: cold-formed welded square, rectangular and circular hollow sections (EN 10219): SHS 40×40–400×400, RHS to 500×300, CHS to 508 mm, wall 2–16 mm, hot-finished hollow sections (EN 10210), wall to 40 mm (larger sizes to 500×500 / 1 016 mm CHS), lengths 6–18 m.
Dimensional tolerances: EN 10219-2: outside dimension ±1 % (min ±0.5 mm), wall ±10 %, squareness 90° ±1°, straightness 0.2 %, corner radius 1.6–3.0 t; EN 10210-2: corner radius ≤ 3 t, mass ±6 %; sectional properties tabulated in Part 2.
Key property values
S355J2H yield strength
≥ 355 MPa (51 ksi) up to 16 mm wall; 345 MPa for 16–40 mm (hot-finished). Cold-formed corners test 400–450 MPa.
S355J2H tensile strength
470–630 MPa (68–91 ksi).
S355J2H elongation
≥ 20 % cold-formed (EN 10219) / ≥ 22 % hot-finished (EN 10210), longitudinal.
Impact toughness
27 J at −20 °C (Charpy V, longitudinal). S355K2H: 40 J at −20 °C.
Design values (EN 1993)
fy = 355 MPa, fu = 470 MPa; buckling curve c (cold-formed) or a (hot-finished); many common sizes (e.g. 150×150×5) are class 2–3 in S355 where they were class 1 in S235 — check b/t limits.
Physical properties
Density 7.85 g/cm³, E = 210 GPa, G = 81 GPa; section properties per EN 10219-2 / EN 10210-2 (e.g. SHS 100×100×4: 11.9 kg/m, Wel = 36.0 cm³; RHS 200×100×6: 26.4 kg/m).
Weldability
Good weldability (CEV ≤ 0.45): preheat rarely needed below 20 mm wall; use consumables of 470 MPa class (G 46 / E 46, or G 42 for under-matching at nodes). EN 1993-1-8 §4.14 limits welding in the cold-formed corner zone unless r/t satisfies the table (e.g. r/t ≥ 3 for t ≤ 12 mm) or the section is hot-finished. Galvanized sections: grind zinc back before welding, provide vent holes for closed members.
Machining, forming and heat treatment
Sawing, drilling, laser tube cutting (mitres, slots, notches to DXF), section bending (radius ≥ 6–10 × depth for S355) and end preparation are routine; punching thick walls needs more press force than S235. Hot bending or normalizing after cold forming requires re-testing.
Typical applications
- Columns, beams and bracing in steel buildings (EN 1090 EXC2/3)
- Roof and space trusses, stadium and airport roofs
- Crane girders, gantries and machinery frames
- Bridges and footbridges (often hot-finished EN 10210)
- Offshore and marine structures (with impact-tested K2H / fine-grain grades)
- Truck, trailer and agricultural machine frames
- Wind-turbine internals, transmission towers
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between S355J2H and S355J2?
Same steel; H means it is delivered as a structural hollow section under EN 10219 or EN 10210, which add the geometry, tolerances and sectional properties. The certificate of a box section or CHS reads S355J2H.
What is the ASTM equivalent of S355J2H?
ASTM A500 Grade C (345 MPa shaped) is the common cold-formed HSS equivalent; ASTM A1085 (345 MPa, tighter tolerances, Charpy option) matches EN 10219 S355J2H more closely.
When do I need S355J2H instead of S235JRH?
When the design uses 355 MPa yield (smaller sections for the same load), for primary members, cranes and dynamic loads, for cold climates (27 J at −20 °C), and for EN 1090 EXC2/EXC3 CE-marked components.
Cold-formed (EN 10219) or hot-finished (EN 10210) S355J2H?
Cold-formed is cheaper, more available and fine for static structures; hot-finished has larger corner radii, no residual stresses, buckling curve a and better fatigue performance — specified for bridges, cranes and offshore work.
Can I weld at the corners of cold-formed S355J2H sections?
Only within EN 1993-1-8 limits: welding in the cold-formed zone (5 t either side of the corner) needs r/t above the tabulated value (e.g. ≥ 3 for t ≤ 12 mm) or the section must be hot-finished or normalized. Most EN 10219 S355J2H sections meet this for t ≤ 12 mm.
Is S355J2H suitable for galvanizing?
Yes — hot-dip galvanizing after fabrication (EN ISO 1461) is standard for outdoor structures; Si and P are within the ranges that give a normal zinc layer, and vent/drain holes are required on closed sections.
Related grades
Verified against EN 10219-1:2019; EN 10219-1:2019 Tables B.1 and B.3; EN 10219-2:2019; EN 10210-1:2006 / -2:2019; EN 1993-1-1, EN 1993-1-8 §4.14; ASTM A500/A500M-23, ASTM A1085/A1085M-15; JIS G3466:2018. Last checked: September 2026.