Decoding S355MC: A Guide to High-Strength Low-Alloy (HSLA) Steel for Engineering

S355MC is a hot-rolled, high-strength, low-alloy structural steel designed for cold forming and is specified by the EN 10149-2 standard. Here’s why S355MC steel is widely used and valued:

  • Yield Strength: The “355” in the name comes from its minimum yield strength of 355 MPa, making it suitable for applications that demand good structural strength and load-bearing capacity.thyssenkrupp-materials-processing-europe+2
  • Formability: S355MC is noted for its excellent cold formability, thanks to its fine-grained microstructure and microalloying elements (such as niobium, vanadium, and titanium), allowing for bending, folding, and flanging without cracking.esb-group+2
  • Weldability: It offers outstanding weldability and is readily used in welded structures without the risk of brittle fractures.mtladv+1
  • Toughness and Elongation: S355MC provides good elongation (typically 19% or more), enabling a balance of strength and ductility for forming complex shapes.tritonalloysinc+1
  • Thickness Range: This steel is available in a range of thicknesses and maintains consistent properties across different thicknesses.thyssenkrupp-steel
  • Surface Quality and Consistency: High surface quality and tight thickness tolerances allow for repeatable and reliable processing in automated fabrication environments.mtladv
  • Typical Applications: S355MC is commonly used in automotive chassis, structural beams, heavy-duty components, machinery, and agricultural equipment—anywhere that needs a combination of high strength, reduced weight, and good formability.esb-group+1

In the steel grade name S355MC:

  • “S” stands for structural steel, indicating the steel is intended for structural applications.
  • “MC” stands for Microalloyed Commercial quality, meaning the steel is a microalloyed grade designed for cold forming with enhanced mechanical properties due to small amounts of alloying elements like niobium (Nb), vanadium (V), and titanium (Ti).

Together, S355MC denotes a structural steel with a minimum yield strength of 355 MPa, microalloyed and optimized for cold forming applications.

PropertyS355MC Steel
Yield Strength355 MPa min
Tensile Strength430–550 MPa
Elongation at Break≥19% (varies with gauge)
Key Alloying ElementsNb, V, Ti, Al
Typical Hardness140–180 HB
Main FeaturesHigh strength, formability, weldability

Summary Table:

🟩 S355MC (EN 10149-2 High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel)

PropertyValue
CategoryMetals
SubcategoryHigh Strength Low Alloy (HSLA)
Density7.85e-06 kg/mm³
Young’s Modulus210 GPa
Poisson’s Ratio0.3
Shear Modulus80 GPa
Yield Strength355 MPa
Ultimate Tensile Strength460 MPa
Thermal Conductivity45 W/m·K
Specific Heat480 J/kg·K
Thermal Expansion Coefficient1.2e-5 1/K
Reference Temperature20 °C
Color (RGB)110,110,110
Crosshatch PatternSteel
Alternative NamesEN 10149-2 S355MC, HSLA Steel, QStE 360TM, Thermomechanically Rolled Steel

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