Designation Meaning of Steel Names (European Standard)

European Standard Designation Systems for Steel Names

1. Designation & Meaning of Structural Steel Names

• The first letter indicates the type of steel,
• The following digits indicates the yield strength MPa;
• The 2 symbols immediately after the yield strength value indicate the quality grade of the steel;
• The symbols immediately after the quality grade indicate characteristic/uses or treatment, and
• finally a plus sign (+) and a symbol indicate delivery/treatment conditions, coatings or special requirements.

For example,

S235JRC+C Meaning:

• “S” is the abbreviation for Structural steel.
• “235” refers to the yield strength in MPa.
• J indicates Joules (27 J)
• R is the abbreviation for Room temperature (20 °C).
• C means special cold forming (cold flanging, cold roll forming or cold drawing).
• “+C” indicates cold work hardened.

S235JRC+C Meaning: Structural steel (S) with a specified minimum yield strength 235 MPa at room temperature, minimum impact energy 27 J at room temperature 20 °C (JR), suitable for cold flanging (C), delivery condition +C (cold work hardened).

S355J2W Meaning: Structural steel (S) with a specified yield strength ≥355 MPa at room temperature, impact energy ≥27 J at -20 °C (J2), and is weather resistant (W).

S355MC Meaning: Structural steel (S), thermomechanically rolled (M), with a specified minimum yield strength at room temperature of 355 MPa (355) and suitable for cold forming (C).