What is S355 Steel?
S355 is a structural steel grade that conforms to the EN 10025 standard, which is a European standard for hot-rolled structural steel products. This grade is widely used in construction and engineering applications due to its excellent mechanical properties and weldability.
The numerical indicator of “355” refers to the material’s yield stress (when at a nominal thickness of 16mm), with the “S” indicating that it is indeed made from structural steel.
How Strong is S355 Structural Steel?
S355 structural steel is known for its high strength, which is a key factor contributing to its popularity in various construction and engineering applications. The specific strength of S355 steel can vary slightly depending on the subgrade within the S355 family (such as S355J2-steel_4448.html target=_blank class=infotextkey>S355JR, S355J0, S355J2, S355K2) and the material thickness.
To understand how strong this type of steel is, you need to measure the tensile strength and the yield strength. If you need clarification on these terms, the below explanation should hopefully help.
Yield Strength
Yield strength measures the minimum pressure needed to create a permanent deformation in the steel.
| Structural Steel at 16mm | ksi | N/mm² (MPa) |
|---|---|---|
| S355 | 50000 ksi | 355 N/mm² |
Tensile Strength
Tensile strength relates to the point at which a permanent deformation occurs when the material is stretched or pulled laterally. These impact tests are done prior to the products being sent for processing.
| Structural Steel Grade | Tensile Strength MPa at Nominal thickness between 3mm and 16mm |
|---|---|
| S355 | 470- 630 MPa |
The Chemical Composition of S355 Steel
The chemical composition of structural steel is vital; it defines the mechanical properties of the sheet metal. The percentages in the columns are the maximum levels of regulated elements present in S355 steel.
| EU Grade | Carbon % | Magnesium % | Potassium % | Sulphur % | Silicon % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S355 | 0.23 max | 1.60 max | 0.05 max | 0.05 max | 0.05 max |
While S355 steel isn’t the only supplied grade of steel on the market, it’s typically sold hot-formed or cold-rolled, with a defined cross sectional shape. This steel will have likely been engineered for specific applications.
You can usually find structural or mild steel products with the following product names:
I Beams, H beams or RSJs (commonly known as universal beams)
CHS (Circular Hollow Section, like steel tube and pipe)
RHS (Rectangular Hollow Section)
SHS (Square Hollow Section)
L-shaped steel plates equal or unequal angles)
Flat steel sections and bearing plates
Universal columns
Parallel Flange Channels (PFCs for short, also known as C channel or U Channel steel beams)
Popular Uses for S355 Steel
S355 structural steel is widely used in various industries and applications due to its excellent mechanical properties, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. Some popular uses for S355 steel include:
Building Construction:
Structural frames of buildings, including beams, columns, and structural sections.
Industrial buildings, warehouses, commercial structures, and residential construction.
Bridges:
Bridge components such as girders, piers, and structural elements.
Highway bridges, pedestrian bridges, railway bridges, and bridge bearings.
Offshore Structures:
Offshore platforms, oil rigs, and other marine structures.
Subsea pipelines, offshore wind turbines, and equipment for the oil and gas industry.
Machinery and Equipment:
Manufacturing equipment, industrial machinery, and heavy machinery components.
Agricultural equipment, mining machinery, and material handling systems.
Automotive Industry:
Chassis components, roll cages, and structural parts in automotive design.
Trucks, trailers, agricultural vehicles, and off-road vehicles.
Railway Infrastructure:
Railway tracks, train components, and structural elements for railway infrastructure.
Rail bridges, platforms, and support structures.
Energy Sector:
Structural components for power plants, renewable energy facilities, and transmission towers.
Structural elements for solar panel arrays and wind energy installations.
Pipelines:
Pipe supports, pipeline infrastructure, and components for fluid transport systems.
Onshore and offshore pipeline construction for oil, gas, and water transport.
Mining and Quarrying:
Mining equipment, conveyor systems, and structures for mining operations.
Quarry machinery, material handling equipment, and processing plant components.
Structural Fabrication:
General structural fabrication where high-strength steel with good weldability is required.
Custom structural components, frameworks, and architectural structures.
S355 steel's versatility, strength, weldability, and impact resistance make it a preferred choice for a wide range of applications across industries such as construction, engineering, manufacturing, transportation, energy, and more. Its reliability and performance characteristics have established it as a go-to material for various structural requirements.
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