Steel grades: complete chart by system and family
This chart lists 52 steel grades from nine designation systems with the numbers engineers actually need — carbon content, minimum yield and tensile strength, material/UNS number and the nearest equivalents — and links each one to a full data sheet with composition by thickness, heat treatment, old names and graded cross-references. Every value is checked against the current edition of the standard named on the grade page.
What a steel grade is
A steel grade is a named composition (and sometimes a property level) defined by a standard: there are roughly 3,500 grades in active use worldwide, described by about 25 national and international systems. The name tells you either what is in the steel (EN C45 = 0.45 % carbon; AISI 4140 = chromium-molybdenum family, 0.40 % C) or what it must do (EN S355 = 355 MPa yield; ASTM A572 Grade 50 = 50 ksi yield; JIS SS400 = 400 MPa tensile). Material numbers (EN 1.4301, UNS S30400) are unique identifiers that survive renaming. The same steel usually exists under several names — 4140, 42CrMo4, 1.7225, SCM440, 42CrMo and 708M40 are one composition — and the job of this site is to map them and say how exact each match is.
Steel grades by designation system
Nine systems cover almost every specification you will meet: EN (Europe, with Werkstoff numbers), ASTM/ASME and AISI/SAE/UNS (North America), JIS (Japan), GB/T (China), GOST (Russia/CIS), IS (India) and the withdrawn but still-quoted DIN and BS names. The table gives each system's logic and the grades in this database.
| System | Body | How grades are named | Grades here |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN (European) | CEN | EN 10025, 10088, 10083 … with Werkstoff numbers (1.xxxx) | 30 |
| ASTM / ASME | ASTM International | A36, A240, A516 … and ASME SA equivalents | 4 |
| AISI / SAE | SAE International | 1018, 4140, 304, 316 … with UNS numbers | 16 |
| JIS (Japan) | JSA | SS400, S45C, SUS304, SPCC … | 0 |
| GB/T (China) | SAC | Q235, Q345/Q355, 45#, 40Cr … | 0 |
| DIN (superseded German) | DIN | St37, St52, Ck45, X5CrNi18-10 — replaced by EN, still specified | 2 |
| BS (superseded British) | BSI | BS 4360 43A/50B, BS 970 080M40 … | 0 |
| GOST (Russia/CIS) | Rosstandart | St3sp, 09G2S, 40Kh, 12Kh18N10T … | 0 |
| IS (India) | BIS | IS 2062 E250/E350, IS 1079, IS 513 … | 0 |
EN (European) steel grades
EN steel grades follow EN 10027-1 symbolic names and EN 10027-2 material numbers. Structural grades start with S and the yield strength in MPa (S235, S275, S355, S460), pressure grades with P (P265GH, P355NH), engineering grades with E, flat forming grades with D (DC01, DD11, DX51D); carbon steels are named by carbon (C45 = 0.45 %), low-alloy steels by carbon and alloy multipliers (42CrMo4: 0.42 % C, 1 % Cr), high-alloy steels with X and true percentages (X5CrNi18-10). Material numbers 1.0xxx are unalloyed, 1.4xxx stainless, 1.2xxx tool steels, 1.7xxx Cr/Cr-Mo, 1.6xxx Ni-bearing.
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2379 | 1.2379 | Cold-work tool steel, 12 % Cr ledeburitic | 1.45 – 1.6 | — | ≈ 750–850 (typ.) | D2, SKD11, Cr12Mo1V1 |
| 1.4301 | 1.4301 | Austenitic Cr-Ni stainless steel | ≤ 0.07 | ≥ 230 | 540–750 | 304, 304L, SUS304 |
| 1.4305 | 1.4305 | Austenitic free-machining stainless steel (sulphur-bearing) | ≤ 0.1 | ≥ 190 | 500–750 | 303, SUS303, Y12Cr18Ni9 |
| 1.4404 | 1.4404 | Austenitic Cr-Ni-Mo stainless steel, low carbon | ≤ 0.03 | ≥ 240 | 530–680 | 316L, 316, SUS316L |
| 1.4462 | 1.4462 | Ferritic-austenitic (duplex) stainless steel | ≤ 0.03 | ≥ 500 | 700–950 | 2205 (S32205), S31803, F51 / F60 |
| 1.4571 | 1.4571 | Austenitic Cr-Ni-Mo stainless steel, titanium-stabilized | ≤ 0.08 | ≥ 240 | 540–690 | 316Ti, 316L, SUS316Ti |
| 16MnCr5 | 1.7131 | Alloy case-hardening steel | 0.14 – 0.19 | ≥ 590 | 780–1080 | 5115, SCr415 / SCr420, 16CrMn / 20CrMn |
| 16Mo3 | 1.5415 | Molybdenum-alloyed steel for pressure purposes at elevated temperature | 0.12 – 0.2 | 275 | 440–590 | A204 Gr. A, A204 Gr. B, A335 P1 |
| 42CrMo4 | 1.7225 | Chromium-molybdenum steel for quenching and tempering | 0.38 – 0.45 | 900 | 1100–1300 | 4140, 4142, SCM440 |
| C10 | 1.0301 | Unalloyed low-carbon case-hardening steel | 0.07 – 0.13 | ≥ 295 | 490–690 | 1010, 1008, S10C / S09CK |
| C15 | 1.0401 | Unalloyed case-hardening steel | 0.12 – 0.18 | ≥ 355 | 590–780 | 1015, 1018, S15C / S15CK |
| C45 | 1.0503 | Medium-carbon steel for quenching and tempering | 0.42 – 0.5 | 340 | ≥ 620 | 1045, S45C, 45 |
| DC01 | 1.0330 | Cold-rolled low-carbon steel for cold forming | ≤ 0.12 | 140–280 | 270–410 | CS Type B, SPCC, DC01 |
| DD11 | 1.0332 | Hot-rolled low-carbon steel for cold forming | ≤ 0.12 | 170–360 | ≤ 440 | CS Type B (A1011), SPHC, Q195 / SPHC |
| DX51D | 1.0226 | Hot-dip coated low-carbon steel for bending and profiling | ≤ 0.18 | — (no minimum; typ. 200–320) | 270–500 | CS Type B (A653), SGCC, DX51D+Z |
| P265GH | 1.0425 | Non-alloy steel for pressure purposes with elevated-temperature properties | ≤ 0.2 | 265 | 410–530 | A516 Gr. 60, A516 Gr. 65, A285 Gr. C |
| P355NH | 1.0565 | Weldable fine-grain normalized steel for pressure purposes, elevated temperature | ≤ 0.2 | 355 | 490–630 | A516 Gr. 70, A537 Cl. 1, A737 Gr. B |
| S195T | 1.0026 | Non-alloy steel for welded and threaded tubes (water, gas, sprinkler, GI pipe) | ≤ 0.2 | 195 | 320–520 | A53 Grade A (Type E/F), Ст2сп / Ст3сп (GOST 3262), SGP (JIS G3452) |
| S235JR | 1.0038 | Non-alloy hot-rolled structural steel | ≤ 0.17 | 235 | 360–510 | A36, A283 Gr. C, SS400 |
| S235JRH | 1.0039 | Non-alloy structural steel for cold-formed (EN 10219) and hot-finished (EN 10210) hollow sections | ≤ 0.17 | 235 | 360–510 | A500 Grade B, STKR400 / STK400, Q235B (GB/T 6728) |
| S250GD | 1.0242 | Hot-dip coated structural steel, guaranteed 250 MPa yield | ≤ 0.2 | 250 | 330 | SS Grade 37 (A653), SGC340, S250GD+Z |
| S275JR | 1.0044 | Non-alloy hot-rolled structural steel | ≤ 0.21 | 275 | 410–560 | A36, A572 Gr. 42, SS400 |
| S280GD | 1.0244 | Hot-dip coated structural steel, guaranteed 280 MPa yield — the purlin grade | ≤ 0.2 | 280 | 360 | SS Grade 40 (A653), SGC400, S280GD+Z |
| S350GD | 1.0529 | Hot-dip coated structural steel, guaranteed 350 MPa yield — deck and long-span profiles | ≤ 0.2 | 350 | 420 | SS Grade 50 (A653), SGC440, S350GD+Z |
| S355J2 | 1.0577 | Non-alloy hot-rolled structural steel, −20 °C impact | ≤ 0.22 | 355 | 470–630 | A572 Gr. 50, A709 Gr. 50, SM490B |
| S355J2H | 1.0576 | Non-alloy structural steel for hollow sections, 355 MPa, −20 °C impact | ≤ 0.22 | 355 | 470–630 | A500 Grade C, A1085, STKR490 / STK490 |
| S355J2W | 1.8965 | Weathering (atmospheric-corrosion-resistant) structural steel, −20 °C impact | ≤ 0.16 | 355 | 470–630 | A588 Grade A / B, A242 Type 1, A606 Type 4 |
| S355JR | 1.0045 | Non-alloy hot-rolled structural steel | ≤ 0.24 | 355 | 470–630 | A572 Gr. 50, A992, SM490A |
| S355MC | 1.0976 | Thermomechanically rolled HSLA steel for cold forming | ≤ 0.12 | 355 | 430–550 | A1011 HSLAS-F Grade 50, A572 Grade 50, SAPH440 |
| S700MC | 1.8974 | Thermomechanically rolled ultra-high-strength steel for cold forming | ≤ 0.12 | 700 | 750–950 | A1011 HSLAS Grade 80, SAE J1392 100XF, S690QL |
All EN (European) grades and standards →
ASTM / ASME steel grades
ASTM specifications are numbered documents (A36, A240, A516, A106) that define product form, chemistry and mechanical requirements; the grade inside is a class or ksi level (A572 Grade 50, A516 Grade 70, A106 Grade B). ASME adopts them as SA-xxx for pressure equipment. Stainless and alloy grades inside ASTM specs are identified by UNS number (S30400) or AISI name (304).
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A106 Grade B | K03006 | Seamless carbon steel pipe for high-temperature service | ≤ 0.3 | 205 | ≥ 330 | A53 Gr. B (Type S), API 5L Gr. B, P235GH / P265GH |
| A36 | K02600 | Carbon structural steel | ≤ 0.25 | 250 | 400–550 | S235JR, SS400, Q235B |
| A516 Grade 70 | K02700 | Carbon steel plate for pressure vessels, moderate and lower temperature | ≤ 0.27 | 260 | 485–620 | P295GH, P265GH, P355GH / P355NH |
| A572 Grade 50 | K02303 | High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) columbium-vanadium structural steel | ≤ 0.23 | 290 | ≥ 415 | S355JR / S355J2, S355M / S355N, A992 |
All ASTM / ASME grades and standards →
AISI / SAE steel grades
AISI/SAE numbers (SAE J403/J404) encode carbon and alloy family: 10xx plain carbon (1018 = 0.18 % C), 11xx resulfurized, 13xx Mn, 41xx Cr-Mo (4140), 43xx Ni-Cr-Mo (4340), 51xx Cr, 52xxx bearing (52100), 61xx Cr-V, 86xx Ni-Cr-Mo (8620), 92xx Si-Mn. Stainless grades use the 2xx/3xx (austenitic), 4xx (ferritic/martensitic) and 6xx (PH) series. UNS numbers (G10180, S30400) are the formal identifiers.
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1018 | G10180 | Low-carbon steel, cold-finished bar (case-hardenable) | 0.15 – 0.2 | ≈ 370 | ≈ 440 | C15 / C15E, S235JRC / C22, S15C / S17C / S20C |
| 1045 | G10450 | Medium-carbon steel, hardenable | 0.43 – 0.5 | ≈ 310 | ≈ 565 | C45, S45C, 45 |
| 1095 | G10950 | High-carbon steel (spring / knife / blade steel) | 0.9 – 1.03 | ≈ 380 | ≈ 650 | C100S, C90S / C98S, SK95 (SK4) |
| 17-4 PH | S17400 | Martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel | ≤ 0.07 | ≈ 760 (typ.) | ≈ 1030 (typ.) | 1.4542, SUS630, 05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb |
| 2205 | S32205 | Ferritic-austenitic (duplex) stainless steel | ≤ 0.03 | ≥ 450 | ≥ 655 | 1.4462, SUS329J3L, 022Cr23Ni5Mo3N |
| 304 | S30400 | Austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel | ≤ 0.08 | ≥ 205 | ≥ 515 | 1.4301, SUS304, 06Cr19Ni10 |
| 310 | S31000 | Austenitic heat-resisting stainless steel (25 % Cr, 20 % Ni) | ≤ 0.25 | ≥ 205 | ≥ 515 | 1.4845, 1.4841, SUS310S |
| 316 | S31600 | Austenitic chromium-nickel-molybdenum stainless steel | ≤ 0.08 | ≥ 205 | ≥ 515 | 1.4401, 1.4404, 1.4436 / 1.4432 |
| 321 | S32100 | Austenitic Cr-Ni stainless steel, titanium-stabilized | ≤ 0.08 | ≥ 205 | ≥ 515 | 1.4541, SUS321, 06Cr18Ni11Ti |
| 410 | S41000 | Martensitic chromium stainless steel, hardenable | ≤ 0.15 | ≥ 275 | ≥ 485 | 1.4006, SUS410, 12Cr13 |
| 4130 | G41300 | Chromium-molybdenum low-alloy steel, weldable (chromoly) | 0.28 – 0.33 | ≈ 360 | ≈ 560 | 25CrMo4, 30CrMo4, SCM430 |
| 4140 | G41400 | Chromium-molybdenum low-alloy steel (chromoly) | 0.38 – 0.43 | ≈ 415 | ≈ 655 | 42CrMo4, SCM440, 42CrMo |
| 430 | S43000 | Ferritic chromium stainless steel | ≤ 0.12 | ≥ 205 | ≥ 450 | 1.4016, SUS430, 10Cr17 |
| 4340 | G43400 | Nickel-chromium-molybdenum low-alloy steel, deep hardening | 0.38 – 0.43 | ≈ 470 | ≈ 745 | 34CrNiMo6, 36CrNiMo4, SNCM439 |
| 52100 | G52986 | High-carbon chromium bearing steel | 0.93 – 1.05 | ≈ 450 | ≈ 680 | 100Cr6, SUJ2, GCr15 |
| 8620 | G86200 | Nickel-chromium-molybdenum case-hardening steel | 0.18 – 0.23 | ≈ 385 | ≈ 540 | 20NiCrMo2-2, SNCM220, 20CrNiMo |
All AISI / SAE grades and standards →
JIS (Japan) steel grades
JIS G-series standards name steels by use and property: SS400 (structural, 400 MPa tensile), SM490 (welded structural), SPCC/SPHC (cold/hot-rolled commercial sheet), SGCC (galvanized), S45C (0.45 % C carbon steel), SCM440 (Cr-Mo), SNCM439 (Ni-Cr-Mo), SUS304 (stainless), SUJ2 (bearing), SKD11 (tool). The numbers after the letters are tensile strength (SS, SM), carbon (S45C) or a sequence.
All JIS (Japan) grades and standards →
GB/T (China) steel grades
GB/T grades use Q + yield strength for structural steels (Q235, Q355 — formerly Q345), carbon content for carbon steels (45# = 0.45 % C, 20# = 0.20 %), and a Chinese version of the EN/DIN convention for alloy steels (42CrMo, 40Cr, 20CrMnTi). Stainless steels use carbon-point plus composition (06Cr19Ni10 = 304, 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 = 316L); bearing steels GCr15 = 52100; tool steels Cr12MoV.
All GB/T (China) grades and standards →
DIN (superseded German) steel grades
DIN 17100 (St37, St44, St52), DIN 17200 (Ck45, 42CrMo4), DIN 17440 (X5CrNi18 9), DIN 1623 (St12) and DIN 17155 (HI, HII, 15Mo3) were withdrawn in the 1990s but their names dominate older drawings and daily speech across Germany, Turkey, Poland and the Middle East. The material numbers (1.0038, 1.7225, 1.4301) were kept by EN, which is the reliable bridge.
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St37-2 | 1.0037 | General structural steel (DIN 17100, withdrawn) — today S235JR | ≤ 0.17 | 235 | 340–470 | S235JR, A36, SS400 |
| St52-3 | 1.0570 | General structural steel (DIN 17100, withdrawn) — today S355J2 / S355JR | ≤ 0.2 | 355 | 490–630 | S355J2, S355JR, A572 Gr. 50 |
All DIN (superseded German) grades and standards →
BS (superseded British) steel grades
BS 4360 (40, 43, 50, 55 grades by tensile in ksi-derived classes) and BS 970 (six-digit codes: 080M40 = 0.40 % C carbon steel, 708M40 = Cr-Mo = 4140, 817M40 = 4340, 304S31 = 304) were replaced by EN in the 1990s; EN-prefixed old names (EN8 = 080M40, EN19 = 708M40, EN24 = 817M40, EN31 = 52100) are still standard in the UK, India and Australia.
All BS (superseded British) grades and standards →
GOST (Russia/CIS) steel grades
GOST names encode carbon (Steel 20, 45) and alloy elements with Cyrillic letters transliterated: Kh = Cr, N = Ni, M = Mo, G = Mn, S = Si, T = Ti, F = V, Yu = Al, A = high quality. St3sp (killed structural ≈ S235), 09G2S (Mn-Si low-alloy ≈ S355), 40Kh (≈ 5140), 40KhN2MA (≈ 4340), 12Kh18N10T (≈ 321), ShKh15 (= 52100), U8A (0.8 % C tool steel).
All GOST (Russia/CIS) grades and standards →
IS (India) steel grades
Indian Standards follow British then EN logic: IS 2062 E250/E350/E410 (structural by yield, qualities A/BR/B0/C by impact), IS 1079 and IS 513 (hot- and cold-rolled sheet, grades O/D/DD/EDD/CR1–CR5), IS 2002 (boiler plate grades 1–3), IS 1570 (carbon and alloy steels named as in EN/DIN: 45C8, 40Cr4, 20MnCr5), IS 6911 (stainless X04Cr19Ni9 = 304).
All IS (India) grades and standards →
Steel grades by family
Twelve families cover the practical universe: the family tells you how the steel is used and heat-treated, the system tells you how it is named.
Structural steel grades
Structural steel grades are specified by minimum yield strength — 235, 275, 355, 420, 460 MPa in EN 10025 (S235–S460), 36, 42, 50, 55, 60, 65 ksi in ASTM (A36, A572, A992), 235/355 in GB (Q235, Q355), 400/490 tensile in JIS (SS400, SM490) — with toughness classes by Charpy temperature. They are welded without preheat in ordinary thicknesses and are the largest tonnage of any family.
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A36 | K02600 | Carbon structural steel | ≤ 0.25 | 250 | 400–550 | S235JR, SS400, Q235B |
| A572 Grade 50 | K02303 | High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) columbium-vanadium structural steel | ≤ 0.23 | 290 | ≥ 415 | S355JR / S355J2, S355M / S355N, A992 |
| S235JR | 1.0038 | Non-alloy hot-rolled structural steel | ≤ 0.17 | 235 | 360–510 | A36, A283 Gr. C, SS400 |
| S235JRH | 1.0039 | Non-alloy structural steel for cold-formed (EN 10219) and hot-finished (EN 10210) hollow sections | ≤ 0.17 | 235 | 360–510 | A500 Grade B, STKR400 / STK400, Q235B (GB/T 6728) |
| S275JR | 1.0044 | Non-alloy hot-rolled structural steel | ≤ 0.21 | 275 | 410–560 | A36, A572 Gr. 42, SS400 |
| S355J2 | 1.0577 | Non-alloy hot-rolled structural steel, −20 °C impact | ≤ 0.22 | 355 | 470–630 | A572 Gr. 50, A709 Gr. 50, SM490B |
| S355J2H | 1.0576 | Non-alloy structural steel for hollow sections, 355 MPa, −20 °C impact | ≤ 0.22 | 355 | 470–630 | A500 Grade C, A1085, STKR490 / STK490 |
| S355J2W | 1.8965 | Weathering (atmospheric-corrosion-resistant) structural steel, −20 °C impact | ≤ 0.16 | 355 | 470–630 | A588 Grade A / B, A242 Type 1, A606 Type 4 |
| S355JR | 1.0045 | Non-alloy hot-rolled structural steel | ≤ 0.24 | 355 | 470–630 | A572 Gr. 50, A992, SM490A |
| S355MC | 1.0976 | Thermomechanically rolled HSLA steel for cold forming | ≤ 0.12 | 355 | 430–550 | A1011 HSLAS-F Grade 50, A572 Grade 50, SAPH440 |
| S700MC | 1.8974 | Thermomechanically rolled ultra-high-strength steel for cold forming | ≤ 0.12 | 700 | 750–950 | A1011 HSLAS Grade 80, SAE J1392 100XF, S690QL |
| St37-2 | 1.0037 | General structural steel (DIN 17100, withdrawn) — today S235JR | ≤ 0.17 | 235 | 340–470 | S235JR, A36, SS400 |
| St52-3 | 1.0570 | General structural steel (DIN 17100, withdrawn) — today S355J2 / S355JR | ≤ 0.2 | 355 | 490–630 | S355J2, S355JR, A572 Gr. 50 |
Carbon steel grades
Carbon steel grades are named by carbon content: low (≤ 0.25 % — 1018, C15, S235), medium (0.25–0.60 % — 1045, C45, 1050) and high (> 0.60 % — 1095, C100S). Low-carbon steels are formed and welded; medium-carbon steels are hardened (surface or through in thin sections); high-carbon steels become springs, blades and tools.
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1018 | G10180 | Low-carbon steel, cold-finished bar (case-hardenable) | 0.15 – 0.2 | ≈ 370 | ≈ 440 | C15 / C15E, S235JRC / C22, S15C / S17C / S20C |
| 1045 | G10450 | Medium-carbon steel, hardenable | 0.43 – 0.5 | ≈ 310 | ≈ 565 | C45, S45C, 45 |
| C45 | 1.0503 | Medium-carbon steel for quenching and tempering | 0.42 – 0.5 | 340 | ≥ 620 | 1045, S45C, 45 |
Alloy steel grades
Alloy steel grades add up to ~5 % of Cr, Mo, Ni, Mn, V or B to raise hardenability and toughness: the 41xx Cr-Mo (4130, 4140, 42CrMo4), 43xx and 86xx Ni-Cr-Mo (4340, 8620, 34CrNiMo6), 51xx Cr (5140, 41Cr4), 61xx Cr-V (6150, 51CrV4) families. Most are supplied annealed or pre-hardened and heat-treated by the user.
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4130 | G41300 | Chromium-molybdenum low-alloy steel, weldable (chromoly) | 0.28 – 0.33 | ≈ 360 | ≈ 560 | 25CrMo4, 30CrMo4, SCM430 |
Stainless steel grades
Stainless steel grades contain ≥ 10.5 % chromium and are grouped by structure: austenitic (304/1.4301, 316/1.4404, 321, 310 — non-magnetic, ductile, not hardenable), ferritic (430/1.4016, 409, 441 — magnetic, cheaper), martensitic (410/1.4006, 420, 440C — hardenable), duplex (2205/1.4462, 2507 — twice the strength) and precipitation-hardening (17-4 PH/1.4542). Pitting resistance is ranked by PREN = Cr + 3.3 Mo + 16 N.
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4301 | 1.4301 | Austenitic Cr-Ni stainless steel | ≤ 0.07 | ≥ 230 | 540–750 | 304, 304L, SUS304 |
| 1.4305 | 1.4305 | Austenitic free-machining stainless steel (sulphur-bearing) | ≤ 0.1 | ≥ 190 | 500–750 | 303, SUS303, Y12Cr18Ni9 |
| 1.4404 | 1.4404 | Austenitic Cr-Ni-Mo stainless steel, low carbon | ≤ 0.03 | ≥ 240 | 530–680 | 316L, 316, SUS316L |
| 1.4462 | 1.4462 | Ferritic-austenitic (duplex) stainless steel | ≤ 0.03 | ≥ 500 | 700–950 | 2205 (S32205), S31803, F51 / F60 |
| 1.4571 | 1.4571 | Austenitic Cr-Ni-Mo stainless steel, titanium-stabilized | ≤ 0.08 | ≥ 240 | 540–690 | 316Ti, 316L, SUS316Ti |
| 17-4 PH | S17400 | Martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel | ≤ 0.07 | ≈ 760 (typ.) | ≈ 1030 (typ.) | 1.4542, SUS630, 05Cr17Ni4Cu4Nb |
| 2205 | S32205 | Ferritic-austenitic (duplex) stainless steel | ≤ 0.03 | ≥ 450 | ≥ 655 | 1.4462, SUS329J3L, 022Cr23Ni5Mo3N |
| 304 | S30400 | Austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel | ≤ 0.08 | ≥ 205 | ≥ 515 | 1.4301, SUS304, 06Cr19Ni10 |
| 310 | S31000 | Austenitic heat-resisting stainless steel (25 % Cr, 20 % Ni) | ≤ 0.25 | ≥ 205 | ≥ 515 | 1.4845, 1.4841, SUS310S |
| 316 | S31600 | Austenitic chromium-nickel-molybdenum stainless steel | ≤ 0.08 | ≥ 205 | ≥ 515 | 1.4401, 1.4404, 1.4436 / 1.4432 |
| 321 | S32100 | Austenitic Cr-Ni stainless steel, titanium-stabilized | ≤ 0.08 | ≥ 205 | ≥ 515 | 1.4541, SUS321, 06Cr18Ni11Ti |
| 410 | S41000 | Martensitic chromium stainless steel, hardenable | ≤ 0.15 | ≥ 275 | ≥ 485 | 1.4006, SUS410, 12Cr13 |
| 430 | S43000 | Ferritic chromium stainless steel | ≤ 0.12 | ≥ 205 | ≥ 450 | 1.4016, SUS430, 10Cr17 |
Tool steel grades
Tool steel grades (AISI letter series / EN ISO 4957 / 1.2xxx numbers) are chosen by hardening method and job: water-hardening W1, oil-hardening O1 (1.2510), air-hardening A2 (1.2363), high-carbon high-chromium D2 (1.2379), shock-resisting S7, hot-work H13 (1.2344), high-speed M2 (1.3343), plastic-mould P20 (1.2311/1.2738). Working hardness 45–66 HRC.
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2379 | 1.2379 | Cold-work tool steel, 12 % Cr ledeburitic | 1.45 – 1.6 | — | ≈ 750–850 (typ.) | D2, SKD11, Cr12Mo1V1 |
Pressure vessel steel grades
Pressure-vessel steel grades carry guarantees ordinary structural steels do not: yield strength at elevated temperature, impact at low temperature, tight sulphur and per-plate testing — EN 10028 P235GH/P265GH/P355NH/16Mo3/13CrMo4-5, ASTM A516 Gr 60/70, A537, A387, A204, JIS SB410/SPV355, GB Q245R/Q345R. They are mandatory for PED and ASME-code equipment.
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16Mo3 | 1.5415 | Molybdenum-alloyed steel for pressure purposes at elevated temperature | 0.12 – 0.2 | 275 | 440–590 | A204 Gr. A, A204 Gr. B, A335 P1 |
| A516 Grade 70 | K02700 | Carbon steel plate for pressure vessels, moderate and lower temperature | ≤ 0.27 | 260 | 485–620 | P295GH, P265GH, P355GH / P355NH |
| P265GH | 1.0425 | Non-alloy steel for pressure purposes with elevated-temperature properties | ≤ 0.2 | 265 | 410–530 | A516 Gr. 60, A516 Gr. 65, A285 Gr. C |
| P355NH | 1.0565 | Weldable fine-grain normalized steel for pressure purposes, elevated temperature | ≤ 0.2 | 355 | 490–630 | A516 Gr. 70, A537 Cl. 1, A737 Gr. B |
All pressure vessel steel grades →
Cold-rolled & coated sheet grades
Cold-rolled and coated sheet grades are specified by formability rather than strength: EN 10130 DC01–DC06 (cold-rolled), EN 10111 DD11–DD14 (hot-rolled), EN 10346 DX51D–DX57D (hot-dip galvanized) and their structural S…GD siblings; ASTM A1008/A1011 CS/DS/DDS/EDDS and A653; JIS SPCC/SPCD/SPCE, SPHC, SGCC. Yield is given as a window or not at all; elongation and r/n values matter.
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC01 | 1.0330 | Cold-rolled low-carbon steel for cold forming | ≤ 0.12 | 140–280 | 270–410 | CS Type B, SPCC, DC01 |
| DD11 | 1.0332 | Hot-rolled low-carbon steel for cold forming | ≤ 0.12 | 170–360 | ≤ 440 | CS Type B (A1011), SPHC, Q195 / SPHC |
| DX51D | 1.0226 | Hot-dip coated low-carbon steel for bending and profiling | ≤ 0.18 | — (no minimum; typ. 200–320) | 270–500 | CS Type B (A653), SGCC, DX51D+Z |
| S250GD | 1.0242 | Hot-dip coated structural steel, guaranteed 250 MPa yield | ≤ 0.2 | 250 | 330 | SS Grade 37 (A653), SGC340, S250GD+Z |
| S280GD | 1.0244 | Hot-dip coated structural steel, guaranteed 280 MPa yield — the purlin grade | ≤ 0.2 | 280 | 360 | SS Grade 40 (A653), SGC400, S280GD+Z |
| S350GD | 1.0529 | Hot-dip coated structural steel, guaranteed 350 MPa yield — deck and long-span profiles | ≤ 0.2 | 350 | 420 | SS Grade 50 (A653), SGC440, S350GD+Z |
All cold-rolled & coated sheet grades →
Pipe & tube steel grades
Pipe and tube steel grades are tied to the tube standard and its test regime: ASTM A106 Gr B / A53 / API 5L B–X70 (seamless and welded line and process pipe), A333 Gr 6 (low temperature), A335 P11/P22/P91 (Cr-Mo); EN 10216-1/-2 P235TR1/P235GH/16Mo3, EN 10217, EN 10210/10219 S355J2H hollow sections, EN 10305 E235/E355 precision tube; JIS STPG370/STPT410, GB 20/20G.
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A106 Grade B | K03006 | Seamless carbon steel pipe for high-temperature service | ≤ 0.3 | 205 | ≥ 330 | A53 Gr. B (Type S), API 5L Gr. B, P235GH / P265GH |
| S195T | 1.0026 | Non-alloy steel for welded and threaded tubes (water, gas, sprinkler, GI pipe) | ≤ 0.2 | 195 | 320–520 | A53 Grade A (Type E/F), Ст2сп / Ст3сп (GOST 3262), SGP (JIS G3452) |
All pipe & tube steel grades →
Bearing steel grades
Bearing steel grades are high-carbon chromium steels melted to extreme cleanliness: 52100 = 100Cr6 (1.3505) = SUJ2 = GCr15 = ShKh15 = EN31, plus the higher-hardenability 100CrMnSi6-4 (SUJ3) and 100CrMo7-3 for large rings; hardened to 60–64 HRC.
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52100 | G52986 | High-carbon chromium bearing steel | 0.93 – 1.05 | ≈ 450 | ≈ 680 | 100Cr6, SUJ2, GCr15 |
Spring steel grades
Spring steel grades are high-carbon or Si/Cr-V alloyed steels used at 42–52 HRC: 1095 / C100S / SK95 (strip), 1074/1075, 5160 / 51CrV4 (leaf springs), 9254 / 54SiCr6 (coil springs), 60Si2Mn (GB), music wire A228, and stainless 301/1.4310 for corrosion-resistant springs.
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1095 | G10950 | High-carbon steel (spring / knife / blade steel) | 0.9 – 1.03 | ≈ 380 | ≈ 650 | C100S, C90S / C98S, SK95 (SK4) |
Case-hardening steel grades
Case-hardening steel grades have 0.10–0.25 % carbon so a carburized surface hardens to 58–62 HRC over a tough core: C10E/C15E (1015/1018), 16MnCr5 and 20MnCr5 (5115/5120), 8620 = 20NiCrMo2-2, 18CrNiMo7-6, 4320, SCr420, 20CrMnTi (GB). Chosen by section size and core strength required.
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16MnCr5 | 1.7131 | Alloy case-hardening steel | 0.14 – 0.19 | ≥ 590 | 780–1080 | 5115, SCr415 / SCr420, 16CrMn / 20CrMn |
| 8620 | G86200 | Nickel-chromium-molybdenum case-hardening steel | 0.18 – 0.23 | ≈ 385 | ≈ 540 | 20NiCrMo2-2, SNCM220, 20CrNiMo |
| C10 | 1.0301 | Unalloyed low-carbon case-hardening steel | 0.07 – 0.13 | ≥ 295 | 490–690 | 1010, 1008, S10C / S09CK |
| C15 | 1.0401 | Unalloyed case-hardening steel | 0.12 – 0.18 | ≥ 355 | 590–780 | 1015, 1018, S15C / S15CK |
All case-hardening steel grades →
Quenched & tempered steel grades
Quenched-and-tempered steel grades are medium-carbon alloy steels supplied heat-treated (or heat-treated by the user) to 700–1300 MPa: 42CrMo4 = 4140, 34CrNiMo6 ≈ 4340, 30CrNiMo8, 51CrV4, 25CrMo4 = 4130, C45 = 1045 (unalloyed), plus the Q&T structural plates S690QL (EN 10025-6), A514 and wear plates 400–500 HB.
| Grade | No. | Type | C % | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Equivalents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4140 | G41400 | Chromium-molybdenum low-alloy steel (chromoly) | 0.38 – 0.43 | ≈ 415 | ≈ 655 | 42CrMo4, SCM440, 42CrMo |
| 42CrMo4 | 1.7225 | Chromium-molybdenum steel for quenching and tempering | 0.38 – 0.45 | 900 | 1100–1300 | 4140, 4142, SCM440 |
| 4340 | G43400 | Nickel-chromium-molybdenum low-alloy steel, deep hardening | 0.38 – 0.43 | ≈ 470 | ≈ 745 | 34CrNiMo6, 36CrNiMo4, SNCM439 |
All quenched & tempered steel grades →
Steel grades chart: yield and tensile strength
Minimum yield strengths run from about 140 MPa (deep-drawing sheet) to 1170 MPa (17-4 PH H900) among the grades listed here; the table sorts every grade by minimum yield so you can find the class you need.
| Grade | System | Family | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DD11 | EN | Cold-rolled & coated sheet | 170–360 | ≤ 440 | t < 2 mm (transverse) |
| DC01 | EN | Cold-rolled & coated sheet | 140–280 | 270–410 | 0.35 ≤ t < 0.70 mm |
| 42CrMo4 | EN | Quenched & tempered steel | 900 | 1100–1300 | +QT, ≤ 16 mm |
| 17-4 PH | AISI | Stainless steel | ≈ 760 (typ.) | ≈ 1030 (typ.) | Condition A (solution annealed 1040 °C) — as supplied |
| S700MC | EN | Structural steel | 700 | 750–950 | < 3 mm (A80) |
| 16MnCr5 | EN | Case-hardening steel | ≥ 590 | 780–1080 | Core after carburize, quench & temper, 11 mm ref. bar |
| 1.4462 | EN | Stainless steel | ≥ 500 | 700–950 | Cold-rolled sheet (C), ≤ 8 mm, +AT |
| 4340 | AISI | Quenched & tempered steel | ≈ 470 | ≈ 745 | Annealed (810 °C, furnace cool) — typical |
| 2205 | AISI | Stainless steel | ≥ 450 | ≥ 655 | S32205 plate, sheet, strip — annealed (A240) |
| 52100 | AISI | Bearing steel | ≈ 450 | ≈ 680 | Spheroidize annealed (delivery) — typical |
| 4140 | AISI | Quenched & tempered steel | ≈ 415 | ≈ 655 | Annealed (815 °C, furnace cool) — typical |
| 8620 | AISI | Case-hardening steel | ≈ 385 | ≈ 540 | Annealed (860 °C, furnace cool) — typical |
| 1095 | AISI | Spring steel | ≈ 380 | ≈ 650 | Annealed (spheroidized) strip — typical |
| 1018 | AISI | Carbon steel | ≈ 370 | ≈ 440 | Cold drawn (as drawn), 16–22 mm — typical |
| 4130 | AISI | Alloy steel | ≈ 360 | ≈ 560 | Annealed (865 °C, furnace cool) — typical |
| C15 | EN | Case-hardening steel | ≥ 355 | 590–780 | Core after carburize, harden & temper, 11 mm ref. bar (C15E) |
| P355NH | EN | Pressure vessel steel | 355 | 490–630 | ≤ 16 mm, +N |
| S355J2 | EN | Structural steel | 355 | 470–630 | ≤ 16 mm |
| S355J2H | EN | Structural steel | 355 | 470–630 | EN 10219 cold-formed, t ≤ 16 mm |
| S355J2W | EN | Structural steel | 355 | 470–630 | ≤ 16 mm |
| S355JR | EN | Structural steel | 355 | 470–630 | ≤ 16 mm |
| S355MC | EN | Structural steel | 355 | 430–550 | < 3 mm (A80) |
| St52-3 | DIN | Structural steel | 355 | 490–630 | < 16 mm (DIN 17100) |
| S350GD | EN | Cold-rolled & coated sheet | 350 | 420 | S350GD, all thicknesses (longitudinal) |
| C45 | EN | Carbon steel | 340 | ≥ 620 | +N normalized, ≤ 16 mm |
| 1045 | AISI | Carbon steel | ≈ 310 | ≈ 565 | Hot rolled — typical |
| C10 | EN | Case-hardening steel | ≥ 295 | 490–690 | Core after carburize, harden & temper, 11 mm ref. bar (C10E) |
| A572 Grade 50 | ASTM | Structural steel | 290 | ≥ 415 | Grade 42 (290 MPa) — plate ≤ 150 mm, all shapes |
| S280GD | EN | Cold-rolled & coated sheet | 280 | 360 | S280GD, all thicknesses (longitudinal) |
| 16Mo3 | EN | Pressure vessel steel | 275 | 440–590 | ≤ 16 mm, +N |
| 410 | AISI | Stainless steel | ≥ 275 | ≥ 485 | Bar — annealed (A276 condition A) |
| S275JR | EN | Structural steel | 275 | 410–560 | ≤ 16 mm |
| P265GH | EN | Pressure vessel steel | 265 | 410–530 | ≤ 16 mm, +N |
| A516 Grade 70 | ASTM | Pressure vessel steel | 260 | 485–620 | Grade 70 — all thicknesses (as-rolled ≤ 40 mm; normalized > 40 mm) |
| A36 | ASTM | Structural steel | 250 | 400–550 | Plate, shapes, bar ≤ 200 mm (8 in) |
| S250GD | EN | Cold-rolled & coated sheet | 250 | 330 | S250GD, all thicknesses (longitudinal) |
| 1.4404 | EN | Stainless steel | ≥ 240 | 530–680 | Cold-rolled strip/sheet (C), ≤ 8 mm, +AT |
| 1.4571 | EN | Stainless steel | ≥ 240 | 540–690 | Cold-rolled sheet (C), ≤ 8 mm, +AT |
| S235JR | EN | Structural steel | 235 | 360–510 | ≤ 16 mm |
| S235JRH | EN | Structural steel | 235 | 360–510 | EN 10219 cold-formed, t ≤ 16 mm |
| St37-2 | DIN | Structural steel | 235 | 340–470 | < 16 mm (DIN 17100) |
| 1.4301 | EN | Stainless steel | ≥ 230 | 540–750 | Cold-rolled strip/sheet (C), ≤ 8 mm, +AT |
| 304 | AISI | Stainless steel | ≥ 205 | ≥ 515 | Plate, sheet, strip — annealed (A240) |
| 310 | AISI | Stainless steel | ≥ 205 | ≥ 515 | 310S plate, sheet, strip — annealed (A240) |
| 316 | AISI | Stainless steel | ≥ 205 | ≥ 515 | 316 plate/sheet/strip — annealed (A240) |
| 321 | AISI | Stainless steel | ≥ 205 | ≥ 515 | Plate, sheet, strip — annealed (A240) |
| 430 | AISI | Stainless steel | ≥ 205 | ≥ 450 | Sheet, strip, plate — annealed (A240) |
| A106 Grade B | ASTM | Pipe & tube steel | 205 | ≥ 330 | Grade A |
| S195T | EN | Pipe & tube steel | 195 | 320–520 | All series, all sizes |
| 1.4305 | EN | Stainless steel | ≥ 190 | 500–750 | Bar ≤ 160 mm, +AT solution annealed |
| DX51D | EN | Cold-rolled & coated sheet | — (no minimum; typ. 200–320) | 270–500 | DX51D+Z, all thicknesses (transverse) |
| 1.2379 | EN | Tool steel | — | ≈ 750–850 (typ.) | +A soft annealed (delivery) |
Steel grade equivalents across systems
Every grade page carries a graded cross-reference: 445 equivalence links are recorded so far, each rated identical, near or functional with the reason. The most-searched pairs: 4140 = 42CrMo4 = SCM440; 304 = 1.4301 = SUS304; 316L = 1.4404; S235JR ≈ A36 ≈ SS400 ≈ Q235B; S355J2 ≈ A572-50 ≈ Q355B; C45 = 1045 = S45C = 45#; 52100 = 100Cr6 = SUJ2 = GCr15; St37 = S235JR; St52 = S355J2.
Steel grades comparison
12 head-to-head comparisons explain the pairs people actually choose between, with a side-by-side table and a verdict.
Old and superseded steel grade names
About 40 % of the grade names still written on drawings are withdrawn: St37/St52 (DIN 17100, 1994), Ck45 (DIN 17200), St12 (DIN 1623), HII/15Mo3 (DIN 17155), 43A/50B (BS 4360), EN8/EN19/EN24 (BS 970), Fe360/Fe510 (EN 10025:1990), Q345 (GB/T 1591, renamed Q355 in 2018), SK4 (JIS, now SK95). Each grade page lists its old names with the standard and year; the DIN 17100 page maps every St grade to EN.
Steel grades and their standards
26 standards are documented so far, each with its scope, the grades it covers, its revision history and what it replaced.
- ASTM A106 — 06M — Standard Specification for Seamless Carbon Steel Pipe for High-Temperature Service
- ASTM A240 — 40M — Standard Specification for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip for Pressure Vessels and for General Applications
- ASTM A276 — 76M — Standard Specification for Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes
- ASTM A29 — 9M — Standard Specification for General Requirements for Steel Bars, Carbon and Alloy, Hot-Wrought
- ASTM A295 — 95M — Standard Specification for High-Carbon Anti-Friction Bearing Steel
- ASTM A36 — 6M — Standard Specification for Carbon Structural Steel
- ASTM A516 — 16M — Standard Specification for Pressure Vessel Plates, Carbon Steel, for Moderate- and Lower-Temperature Service
- ASTM A564 — 64M — Standard Specification for Hot-Rolled and Cold-Finished Age-Hardening Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes
- ASTM A572 — 72M — Standard Specification for High-Strength Low-Alloy Columbium-Vanadium Structural Steel
- DIN 17100 — General structural steels; quality specifications (withdrawn)
- EN 10025-2 — Hot rolled products of structural steels. Part 2: Non-alloy structural steels
- EN 10025-5 — Hot rolled products of structural steels. Part 5: Structural steels with improved atmospheric corrosion resistance
- EN 10028-2 — Flat products made of steels for pressure purposes. Part 2: Non-alloy and alloy steels with specified elevated temperature properties
- EN 10028-3 — Flat products made of steels for pressure purposes. Part 3: Weldable fine grain steels, normalized
- EN 10083-2 — Steels for quenching and tempering. Part 2: Technical delivery conditions for non alloy steels
- EN 10083-3 — Steels for quenching and tempering. Part 3: Technical delivery conditions for alloy steels
- EN 10084 — Case hardening steels. Technical delivery conditions
- EN 10088-2 — Stainless steels. Part 2: Technical delivery conditions for sheet/plate and strip of corrosion resisting steels for general purposes
- EN 10088-3 — Stainless steels. Part 3: Technical delivery conditions for semi-finished products, bars, rods, wire, sections and bright products
- EN 10111 — Continuously hot rolled low carbon steel sheet and strip for cold forming. Technical delivery conditions
- EN 10130 — Cold rolled low carbon steel flat products for cold forming. Technical delivery conditions
- EN 10149-2 — Hot rolled flat products made of high yield strength steels for cold forming. Part 2: Thermomechanically rolled steels
- EN 10219 — Cold formed welded steel structural hollow sections
- EN 10255 — Non-alloy steel tubes suitable for welding and threading. Technical delivery conditions
- EN 10346 — Continuously hot-dip coated steel flat products for cold forming. Technical delivery conditions
- EN ISO 4957 — Tool steels
Steel grades list (A–Z)
Steel grades by carbon content
Carbon sets the ceiling on hardness: ≤ 0.25 % (low-carbon: 1018, C15, S235, DC01) cannot be through-hardened and is welded freely; 0.25–0.60 % (medium: 1045, C45, 4140, 42CrMo4) quenches to 50–58 HRC and needs preheat for welding; 0.60–1.5 % (high: 1095, 52100, D2) reaches 60–66 HRC and is essentially unweldable. Stainless grades hold carbon at 0.03–0.08 % (austenitic) or 0.1–1.0 % (martensitic 410–440C).
Steel grades by hardness
As delivered: forming sheet 55–90 HRB (DC01, DX51D), structural 100–190 HB (S235–S355, A36–A572), pre-hard alloy bar 28–34 HRC (4140 HT), annealed tool steel ≤ 255 HB (D2). After heat treatment: 4140/42CrMo4 up to 54–59 HRC, 1095 and 52100 64–66 HRC, D2/1.2379 62–64 HRC, 17-4 PH H900 44–47 HRC, 410 stainless 38–45 HRC. Use the hardness converter to move between HB, HRC and HV.
The 12 types of steel most often listed
Popular guides count "12 types of steel"; the practical list is: (1) low-carbon/mild, (2) medium-carbon, (3) high-carbon, (4) HSLA structural, (5) alloy (Cr-Mo, Ni-Cr-Mo), (6) case-hardening, (7) austenitic stainless, (8) ferritic stainless, (9) martensitic stainless, (10) duplex stainless, (11) tool steel, (12) spring/bearing steel. Each maps to one of the twelve families above, with representative grades in every system.
Stainless steel grades chart: 200, 300 and 400 series
The AISI series numbers group stainless by structure: 200 (Cr-Mn-Ni austenitic: 201, 202 — cheaper, less corrosion-resistant), 300 (Cr-Ni austenitic: 301, 303, 304, 316, 321, 347, 309, 310 — 70 % of stainless use), 400 (ferritic 405, 409, 430, 434, 441, 446 and martensitic 410, 416, 420, 431, 440A/B/C), plus 600 for precipitation-hardening (630 = 17-4 PH) and the duplex grades named by Cr/Ni (2205, 2304, 2507). PREN ranks corrosion resistance: 430 ≈ 17, 304 ≈ 19, 316 ≈ 25, 2205 ≈ 35, 2507 ≈ 42.
Structural steel grades: S235, S275, S355, A36, A572, Q235, SS400
Five yield classes cover most structural work worldwide — 235, 275, 355, 420–460 and 690 MPa — and each system names them: EN S235JR/S275JR/S355J2/S460M/S690QL; ASTM A36 (250), A572-42/50/60/65, A992 (345), A514 (690); GB Q235B/Q275/Q355B/Q420/Q690; JIS SS400 (245)/SM490/SM570; GOST St3sp/09G2S/S440; IS 2062 E250/E350/E450. The impact class (JR/J0/J2/K2, Charpy zones, quality B/C/D) is the second half of every structural designation.
Steel grades for pipes and tubes
Pipe grades are tied to the tube standard: seamless process pipe A106 Gr B / A53 B / API 5L B (240 MPa), low-temperature A333 Gr 6, Cr-Mo A335 P11/P22/P91; European pressure tube P235GH/P265GH/16Mo3 (EN 10216-2), non-pressure P235TR (EN 10216-1), hollow sections S355J2H (EN 10210/10219), precision tube E235/E355 (EN 10305); JIS STPG370/STPT410, GB 20/20G. Line pipe grades X42–X80 are named by yield in ksi.
Steel grades for bolts and fasteners
Bolt grades are property classes rather than steel grades: ISO 898-1 classes 4.6, 5.6, 8.8, 10.9, 12.9 (tensile in 100 MPa × yield ratio); SAE J429 Grades 2, 5, 8; ASTM A307, A325/F3125, A490, A193 B7 (4140/4142 Q&T), A320 L7. Typical steels: 1018–1022 (4.6–5.8), 1035–1045 (8.8), 4140/42CrMo4 (10.9, B7), 4340/34CrNiMo6 (12.9); stainless A2 (304) and A4 (316) with strength classes 50/70/80.
Reinforcement steel grades
Rebar is graded by yield strength and ductility class: EN 10080 / BS 4449 B500A/B500B/B500C (500 MPa, ductility A–C), ASTM A615 Grade 40/60/75/80 (280/420/520/550 MPa), A706 Grade 60 (weldable), GB 1499 HRB400/HRB500, IS 1786 Fe 415/500/550, TS 708 B420C/B500C, GOST 5781 A400/A500. They are not covered by the structural grade tables above and are not interchangeable with S355 or A572.
Steel grade S355 explained
S355 is the most-searched single European grade because it is a family, not one steel: S355JR (+20 °C impact), S355J0 (0 °C), S355J2 (−20 °C), S355K2 (40 J at −20 °C) in EN 10025-2; S355N/NL (normalized fine-grain, EN 10025-3); S355M/ML (thermomechanical, EN 10025-4); S355J2W (weathering, EN 10025-5); S355J2H/NH/MH hollow sections. All share 355 MPa minimum yield ≤ 16 mm; the suffix decides toughness and weldability. See S355J2 and S355JR.
Which steel grade for shafts, gears, knives and springs?
Shafts: 1045/C45 (surface-hardened) or 4140/42CrMo4 (through-hardened), 4340 above 100 mm. Gears: 8620/16MnCr5/20MnCr5 carburized, 4140 nitrided for larger modules. Knives: 1095, 52100, O1, D2, or stainless 440C/N690/VG-10. Springs: 1095/C100S strip, 5160/51CrV4 leaf, 9254/54SiCr6 coil, 301/1.4310 stainless. Structures: S355J2 / A572-50. Vessels: P265GH / A516-70. Food and marine: 304 and 316. Wear plates: AR400/AR500 (Hardox-type) at 400–500 HB.
Steel grades for welding
Weldability tracks carbon equivalent: CE ≤ 0.40 (S235, S355 thin, A36, A572-50, 1018, 304/316L, 2205 with correct filler) welds without preheat; CE 0.40–0.55 (S355 thick, P355NH, 4130, 8620) needs preheat above 20–25 mm; CE > 0.55 (1045, C45, 4140, 4340, 410) needs 200–350 °C preheat and post-weld tempering; tool, bearing and high-carbon steels (D2, 52100, 1095) are not welded in service.
How to choose a steel grade
Decide in this order: (1) the code or customer specification that governs — it often fixes the standard and grade family; (2) the product form (plate, bar, tube, sheet), because grades are form-specific; (3) minimum strength and toughness at the service temperature; (4) corrosion environment (chlorides, acids, temperature); (5) fabrication route — welding, machining, forming, heat treatment; (6) availability and price in the required size. Then check the equivalent table on the grade page before accepting a substitute.
Frequently asked questions about steel grades
What are the different grades of steel?
Steel grades are grouped by composition and use: carbon steels (low, medium, high carbon — e.g. 1018, 1045, 1095 / C15, C45, C100S), alloy steels (4140, 4340, 8620 / 42CrMo4, 34CrNiMo6, 16MnCr5), stainless steels (304, 316, 430, 410, 2205 / 1.4301, 1.4404, 1.4016, 1.4006, 1.4462), tool steels (D2, A2, H13 / 1.2379, 1.2363, 1.2344), structural steels (A36, A572 / S235, S355), pressure-vessel steels (A516 / P265GH, 16Mo3) and sheet grades (DC01, DX51D / CS Type B, SGCC). Each system — ASTM/AISI, EN, JIS, GB, GOST — names them differently.
Are A36 and 1018 steel the same?
No. A36 is an ASTM structural specification guaranteeing 250 MPa yield with loose chemistry; 1018 is an AISI chemistry grade (0.15–0.20 % C) without guaranteed strength, usually sold cold-drawn at about 370 MPa yield. Hot-rolled 1018 and A36 bar behave alike, but they are certified differently.
What is grade 3 steel?
"Grade 3" is not a steel grade by itself. It usually refers to a strength class inside a specification: SAE J429 Grade 2/5/8 bolts (Grade 3 is not used), ASTM A325 vs A490, Chinese Q235 quality grades A/B/C/D, or "Class 3" tolerance. Ask which standard the number belongs to.
What is the hardest grade of steel?
Among common wrought steels, high-carbon tool and bearing steels reach the highest hardness: 52100 and D2 (1.2379) harden to 62–66 HRC, high-speed steels (M2, 1.3343) to 64–66 HRC, and powder-metallurgy tool steels slightly higher. Hardness is a heat-treated property, not a fixed grade attribute — the same 4140 can be 20 or 55 HRC.
What is the strongest steel grade?
By tensile strength: maraging steels (18Ni-300/350, 2000–2400 MPa) and 300M / 4340 at low temper (1900–2100 MPa) among structural alloys; ultra-high-strength wear plates (AR500/600) and cold-drawn music wire (up to 3000 MPa) in their forms. Among everyday structural grades S960/S1100 (EN 10025-6) and A514 (690 MPa yield) are the strongest.
What is the most common steel grade?
Structural carbon steel: S235JR/S355J2 in Europe, A36/A572-50 (A992 for beams) in North America, Q235B/Q355B in China, SS400/SM490 in Japan. In stainless it is 304 (1.4301); in alloy bar 4140 (42CrMo4); in sheet DC01 and DX51D.
How do I read a steel grade name?
EN: S355J2 = Structural, 355 MPa yield, 27 J at −20 °C; C45 = 0.45 % C; 42CrMo4 = 0.42 % C with Cr and Mo; X5CrNi18-10 = 0.05 % C, 18 % Cr, 10 % Ni; material number 1.4301. AISI/SAE: 4140 = Cr-Mo family (41), 0.40 % C; 304 = austenitic stainless. ASTM: A36 = specification number, Grade 50 = 50 ksi yield. JIS: SS400 = structural, 400 MPa tensile; S45C = 0.45 % C. GB: Q235 = 235 MPa yield; 45# = 0.45 % C.
Steel grades chart PDF and data export
The full grade list is available as machine-readable JSON at /grades.json (names, numbers, aliases and systems) and in text form at /llms-full.txt; print this page (Ctrl+P) for a PDF chart — the tables are print-optimized.
Data edition September 2026; each grade page names the standard edition it was checked against.