05CuPCrNi Weathering Steel

05CuPCrNi Weathering Steel

05CuPCrNi Weather Resistant Steel Plate | TB/T 1979 Standard Overview

Comprehensive technical data for 05CuPCrNi weather resistant steel plate according to China TB/T 1979 standard. Includes chemical composition, mechanical properties, physical data, equivalent grades and application guide.

Hot rolling, normalizing, cold forming, welding, shearing

05CuPCrNi Weathering Steel Introduction

05CuPCrNi is a high-phosphorus copper-chromium-nickel weather resistant structural steel specified in the Chinese standard TB/T 1979-2003 for atmospheric corrosion resistant steel for railway rolling stock. It is primarily designed to provide enhanced resistance to atmospheric corrosion by forming a dense, protective oxide layer under cyclic wet-dry conditions. Typical characteristics include:

  • Excellent atmospheric corrosion resistance, 2 to 5 times that of plain carbon steel
  • Good weldability and cold forming performance, suitable for uncoated and unpainted applications
  • Reliable low-temperature toughness down to -40°C
  • Supplied in hot-rolled or normalized condition

This grade is widely used in railway freight car bodies, containers, building cladding and steel structures exposed to the weather without protective painting. Its chemical composition is tailored with controlled Cu, Cr, Ni and P to promote a stable patina.

05CuPCrNi Weathering Steel Chemical Composition

The chemical composition of 05CuPCrNi is specifically balanced to combine atmospheric corrosion resistance with adequate strength and weldability. Phosphorus is intentionally retained as a key alloying element for patina formation, while sulfur is kept very low to maintain toughness. Note: Values are according to TB/T 1979-2003; single values are maximum unless a range is given.

ElementSpecified Value (wt.%)Remarks
Carbon (C)≤ 0.09Key for strength and weldability
Silicon (Si)0.25 – 0.50Deoxidizer, influences flow during welding
Manganese (Mn)0.20 – 0.50Improves strength and counteracts sulfur hot shortness
Phosphorus (P)0.07 – 0.12Essential for weather resistance; forms adherent patina
Sulfur (S)≤ 0.020Strictly limited for toughness and weld quality
Copper (Cu)0.25 – 0.50Primary element for corrosion resistance
Chromium (Cr)0.30 – 0.60Enhances passivity and patina stability
Nickel (Ni)≤ 0.50Adds toughness and further improves atmospheric corrosion resistance
Others (e.g. Nb, V)Not intentionally addedStandard does not require micro-alloying; residual elements may be present

05CuPCrNi Weathering Steel Physical Properties

The physical data below represent typical values for 05CuPCrNi weather resistant steel. These are not mandatory within TB/T 1979 but are useful for engineering design, thermal analysis and electrical applications. Slight variations may occur depending on supply condition and thickness.

PropertyTypical ValueUnitCondition / Reference
Density (ρ)7.85g/cm³At 20°C
Modulus of Elasticity (E)200GPaTensile modulus; typical for structural steel
Shear Modulus (G)80GPaApproximated from E and ν
Poisson's Ratio (ν)0.3Within elastic range
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (α)11.6 (20-100°C), 12.3 (20-200°C), 13.0 (20-400°C)10⁻⁶/KMean coefficient; values depend on temperature interval
Thermal Conductivity (λ)50 (at 20°C), 45 (at 200°C), 38 (at 400°C)W/(m·K)Decreases with temperature
Specific Heat Capacity (c)460 – 480J/(kg·K)Near 20°C; increases slightly with temperature
Electrical Resistivity (ρe)0.20 – 0.25μΩ·mAt 20°C; typical for low-alloy steel

05CuPCrNi Weathering Steel Mechanical Properties

Mechanical properties are guaranteed for plates and strips in hot-rolled or normalized condition. The steel demonstrates good strength and ductility with reliable low-temperature impact energy. Requirements apply to transverse test pieces unless otherwise agreed. Bending: 180° bend test over a former with diameter = 1×plate thickness (1a) must show no cracks. Impact: Charpy V-notch impact energy is verified at -40°C for railway applications.

PropertyRequired ValueUnitTest Condition / Remarks
Yield Strength (ReH / ReL)≥ 345MPaAll thicknesses; if yield point is not pronounced, 0.2% proof stress (Rp0.2) applies
Tensile Strength (Rm)≥ 480MPaMinimum
Elongation after fracture (A)≥ 22%Gauge length 5.65√So (e.g. 50mm for 10mm thick); longitudinal direction
Bend Test (180°)No cracksBend diameter = 1a (a = specimen thickness); room temperature
Impact energy (KV2)≥ 27JCharpy V-notch, -40°C, longitudinal direction; average of three tests
Hardness (HBW)~ 140 – 170HBWTypical value for reference; not a mandatory requirement

05CuPCrNi Weathering Steel Exact Equivalent Standards and Replaceable Grades

Country / RegionStandardGradeRemarks
ChinaTB/T 197905CuPCrNiOriginal specification; definitive standard
ChinaQ/ASB 165 (Angang standard)05CuPCrNiIdentical; former company standard for weather resistant strip
InternationalNo other national or international standard registers a chemically identical grade with the P range 0.07-0.12%. Other standards use different P levels or alloy designs.

05CuPCrNi Weathering Steel Application Introduction

05CuPCrNi steel is engineered for unpainted outdoor service where its self-passivating rust layer eliminates the need for painting and reduces lifecycle maintenance. In railway applications it meets the rigorous low-temperature toughness requirements of rolling stock operating in harsh environments. Key application guidelines:

  • Allows thickness reduction compared to carbon steel due to superior corrosion resistance
  • Welding can be performed with matching or low-alloy weathering consumables, ensuring joint durability
  • Pre-treatment (e.g., blast cleaning) accelerates uniform patina formation in architectural uses

Product Applications: Open-top freight car bodies (gondola cars), Covered hopper car bodies, ISO freight containers, Weathering steel bridge girders and pylons, Corrugated roof and wall sheets, Pole-line hardware and transmission towers

Processed into products: Side walls, end walls and floor plates of railway wagons, Cold-formed C- and Z-section profiles for container frames, Bent and welded box-type structural members, Shear connectors and cover plates in composite bridges, Stamped door panels and roof arches, Laser-cut and bent parts for architectural cladding panels

Application industries: Railway rolling stock manufacturing, Container production (dry cargo and special containers), Steel construction and bridge building, Architectural facades and roofing, Mining and material handling equipment

05CuPCrNi Weathering Steel Closely Related or Similar Substitute Materials

Country / RegionStandardGradeRemarks
ChinaGB/T 4171Q355GNH (or Q345GNH)Similar corrosion resistance; P: 0.07-0.15%, Cr: 0.30-0.60%, Ni ≤0.50%; minimum yield 355 MPa. Not identical in P range but often interchangeable in structural usages.
ChinaTB/T 197909CuPCrNi-A / 09CuPCrNi-BSister grade from same standard; C ≤0.12%, P 0.07-0.12%, but with higher Mn and slight Ni differences. Strength levels comparable.
JapanJIS G 3125SPA-HHigh-phosphorus weathering steel; C ≤0.12%, P 0.07-0.15%, Cr 0.30-0.60%, Cu 0.25-0.55%, Ni ≤0.65%; similar corrosion concept but not identical.
USAASTM A606 / A606MType 4High-phosphorus, low-alloy weather resistant steel with P range 0.07-0.15%. Mechanical properties differ – min YS 345 MPa, TS 480 MPa. May be considered for non-railway applications.
EuropeEN 10025-5S355J2W (+N)Weathering steel with P ≤0.15% but max is higher; Cr 0.30-0.80%, Ni ≤0.65%. Requires Charpy at -20°C vs -40°C. Can substitute with design adjustment.

Notes:

Additional information:

  • Typical supply thickness: 1.6 mm to 16 mm (hot-rolled), often used in 2.0~6.0 mm for vehicle bodies.
  • Patina formation: The protective rust layer (dark brown to violet) stabilises after 6–18 months of natural exposure, depending on climate. Avoid prolonged ponding of water and de-icing salts to maintain optimal life.
  • Weldability: Preheating is generally not required for thicknesses below 30 mm; interpass temperature should be controlled below 250°C. Use AWS E7018-W1 type electrodes for shield metal arc welding.
  • Unlike traditional COR-TEN A, 05CuPCrNi does not require a minimum atmospheric corrosivity index; its balanced Cu-Cr-Ni addition ensures robust performance even in moderate industrial atmospheres.
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