Structural steel · EN 10025-2
S235JR
Also known as: 1.0038, S235
Overview
Common European mild structural steel for buildings, frames, and general fabrication where weldability and cost matter more than high yield.
Typical supply: Plate, sheet, sections, hollow sections
Mechanical Properties
Thermal Properties
For temperature derating, open Temperature Properties.
Physical Properties
Typical supply: Plate, sheet, sections, hollow sections
Density 7850 kg/m³. Common as plate, sections, and hollow sections.
Applications
- Building frames and bracing
- Light machine bases
- General welded fabrications
- Non-critical pressure parts (check code)
Advantages
- Lowest-cost common structural grade in many EU markets
- Excellent weldability for general fabrication
- Widely stocked plate and sections
Limitations
- Lower yield than S275/S355 — heavier members for the same load
- Requires coating outdoors
- Not preferred for primary high-capacity beams when higher grades are available
Standards
- EN 10025-2 — Hot rolled products of structural steels
- EN 10027-1 — Designation systems
Equivalent Materials
Electrical Properties
Typical carbon-steel resistivity.
Chemical Composition
| Element | Min wt% | Max wt% | Typical wt% |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | — | 0.17 | 0.12 |
| Mn | — | 1.4 | 0.8 |
| P | — | 0.035 | — |
| S | — | 0.035 | — |
| N | — | 0.012 | — |
| Cu | — | 0.55 | — |
Typical / limit values for reference selection only — verify against mill certs for certified work.
Machinability
Good machinability in normalized condition; free-cutting grades preferred for high-volume turning.
Cost
Lowest-cost structural steel band in most European markets.
Corrosion
Requires coating or paint outdoors; similar atmospheric corrosion to other carbon steels.
- Indoor dryfair
- Outdoor unpaintedpoor
- Marine atmospherepoor
For allowance / life screening, open Corrosion Allowance.