DIN 17102 WStE380 Weldable Fine
DIN 17102 WStE380 Weldable Fine-Grain Structural Steel for Automobile Frame & Structure
Comprehensive material datasheet for WStE380 according to DIN 17102, including chemical composition, mechanical and physical properties, international equivalents, and application guidance for automotive structural components.
Hot rolling, normalizing, controlled rolling, welding, cold forming
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DIN 17102 WStE380 Weldable Fine Introduction
DIN 17102 WStE380 is a weldable fine-grain structural steel originally specified for hot-rolled products intended for automotive and general welded constructions. It is microalloyed with niobium, vanadium, or titanium to achieve a minimum yield strength of 380 MPa in the normalized or controlled-rolled delivery condition. The steel offers a good balance of strength, toughness, and weldability with limited carbon equivalent (CEV).
- Yield strength up to 380 MPa for thicknesses ≤16 mm
- Good notch toughness at 0°C (longitudinal KV ≥40 J)
- Suitable for cold forming and welding without preheating for moderate thicknesses
- Used for chassis, frames, and heavy-duty structural parts in automotive and machinery industry
DIN 17102 WStE380 Weldable Fine Chemical Composition
The ladle analysis limits according to DIN 17102 for grade WStE380. The steel is fine-grain treated with aluminum and microalloyed with niobium and/or vanadium. Carbon equivalent (CEV) is restricted to ensure weldability.
| Element | Standard Value (%) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤0.20 | Ladle analysis; CEV = C + Mn/6 + (Cr+Mo+V)/5 + (Ni+Cu)/15 ≤0.44 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤0.50 | |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.80 – 1.60 | |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.030 | |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.025 | |
| Aluminum (Al total) | ≥0.02 | Minimum required for fine grain practice |
| Niobium (Nb) | ≤0.05 | Typically present for microalloying; can be 0.01–0.05 |
| Vanadium (V) | 0.02 – 0.15 | Mandatory range when vanadium is used for strengthening |
| Nitrogen (N) | ≤0.015 | For normalized products; controlled to avoid ageing |
| CEV | ≤0.44 | Carbon equivalent value for welding suitability |
DIN 17102 WStE380 Weldable Fine Physical Properties
Estimated physical properties for WStE380 grade based on similar carbon-manganese fine-grain structural steels. Values are indicative and may vary slightly with actual composition and heat treatment.
| Property | Typical Value | Unit | Test Condition / Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density (ρ) | 7.85 | g/cm³ | At 20°C |
| Modulus of elasticity (E) | 210 | GPa | At 20°C |
| Shear modulus (G) | 81 | GPa | At 20°C |
| Poisson's ratio (ν) | 0.3 | At 20°C | |
| Thermal expansion coefficient (α) | 11.1 | 10⁻⁶/K | Between 20°C and 100°C |
| Thermal expansion coefficient (α) | 11.9 | 10⁻⁶/K | 20°C – 200°C |
| Thermal expansion coefficient (α) | 12.5 | 10⁻⁶/K | 20°C – 300°C |
| Thermal expansion coefficient (α) | 13.0 | 10⁻⁶/K | 20°C – 400°C |
| Thermal expansion coefficient (α) | 13.5 | 10⁻⁶/K | 20°C – 500°C |
| Thermal conductivity (λ) | 54 | W/(m·K) | At 20°C |
| Thermal conductivity (λ) | 51 | W/(m·K) | At 200°C |
| Thermal conductivity (λ) | 44 | W/(m·K) | At 400°C |
| Thermal conductivity (λ) | 38 | W/(m·K) | At 500°C |
| Specific heat capacity (cp) | 480 | J/(kg·K) | At 20°C |
| Specific heat capacity (cp) | 500 | J/(kg·K) | At 200°C |
| Specific heat capacity (cp) | 540 | J/(kg·K) | At 400°C |
| Specific heat capacity (cp) | 580 | J/(kg·K) | At 500°C |
| Electrical resistivity (ρ_e) | 0.20 – 0.25 | µΩ·m | At 20°C |
DIN 17102 WStE380 Weldable Fine Mechanical Properties
Minimum mechanical properties as specified in DIN 17102 for WStE380 in normalized or controlled-rolled delivery condition. Test specimens are taken in longitudinal direction unless otherwise noted. Impact test temperature is 0°C for the base grade (WStE380).
| Property | Standard Requirement | Unit | Test Condition / Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strength (ReH) | ≥380 | MPa | t ≤ 16 mm |
| Yield strength (ReH) | ≥360 | MPa | 16 mm < t ≤ 35 mm |
| Yield strength (ReH) | ≥340 | MPa | 35 mm < t ≤ 50 mm |
| Yield strength (ReH) | ≥320 | MPa | 50 mm < t ≤ 70 mm |
| Yield strength (ReH) | ≥300 | MPa | 70 mm < t ≤ 100 mm |
| Tensile strength (Rm) | 450 – 600 | MPa | All thickness ranges |
| Elongation (A5) | ≥20 | % | t ≤ 16 mm, longitudinal gauge length L0 = 5.65√S0 |
| Elongation (A5) | ≥19 | % | 16 mm < t ≤ 40 mm |
| Elongation (A5) | ≥18 | % | 40 mm < t ≤ 63 mm |
| Elongation (A5) | ≥17 | % | 63 mm < t ≤ 100 mm |
| Bend test (180°) | d = 2a | t ≤ 16 mm; d = mandrel diameter, a = specimen thickness | |
| Bend test (180°) | d = 3a | 16 mm < t ≤ 40 mm | |
| Bend test (180°) | d = 4a | t > 40 mm | |
| Impact energy (KV2), 0°C | ≥40 (average) | J | Longitudinal, 3 specimens; single min. 28 J |
| Impact energy (KV2), 0°C | ≥28 (individual) | J | Longitudinal |
DIN 17102 WStE380 Weldable Fine Fully Equivalent Material Standards and Replacement Grades
| Country/Region | Standard | Grade | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | DIN 17102 | WStE380 | Original standard; normalized or controlled rolled |
| Europe (historical) | EN 10113-2:1993 (withdrawn) | S380N | Not directly adopted in current EN 10025-3; no S380 grade in EN |
| International | ISO 630-2 (historical) | E380 / S380N | May have existed in earlier drafts; current ISO 630-2 does not include S380 |
DIN 17102 WStE380 Weldable Fine Application Introduction
WStE380 is primarily designed for load-bearing welded structures in the automotive and general engineering sectors. Its fine-grain structure and controlled carbon equivalent permit good weldability without the need for preheating under normal conditions (for moderate thicknesses).
- Heavy vehicle chassis and frame components
- Earthmoving equipment booms and arms
- Industrial truck components and crane girders
- Structural parts in machinery subjected to dynamic loads
Product Applications: Truck frames and chassis, Trailer beams and cross members, Wheel loader arms and buckets, Crane telescopic booms (in thickness ranges where toughness is adequate), Welded structural box sections
Processed into products: Chassis side rails and crossmembers, Brackets and reinforcements, Supporting frames for engines and transmissions, Welded bridge elements (secondary members), Construction equipment structural components (booms, arms, frames)
Application industries: Automotive (commercial vehicles, off-highway trucks), Heavy machinery and earthmoving, Crane and lifting equipment, Structural steel construction, Railway wagon and transport equipment
DIN 17102 WStE380 Weldable Fine Similar/Alternative Material Recommendations
| Country/Region | Standard | Grade | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany / EU | EN 10025-3 | S355N | Lower yield strength (355 MPa min); same toughness class; can substitute if design allows |
| Germany / EU | EN 10025-3 | S420N | Slightly higher strength (420 MPa min); comparable weldability and toughness |
| Germany / EU | EN 10025-3 | S355M / S420M | Thermo-mechanically rolled options with similar fabrication properties |
| USA | ASTM A572 / A709 | Grade 55 (380) / Grade 60 | Equivalent to 380 MPa or 415 MPa yield; chemical composition may differ |
| Japan | JIS G 3106 / JIS G 3136 | SM490A / SM490B / SN400B | Y.S. ~325–365 MPa; for structural use; SM490 is close to 490 MPa tensile class |
| China | GB/T 1591 | Q390C / Q390D | Microalloyed structural steel with 390 MPa yield; similar intended use |
Notes:
Weldability: Preheating is generally not required for thicknesses below 30 mm; for thicker sections or higher heat input, a preheat of 75–100°C may be recommended. Low-hydrogen welding consumables should be used.
Formability: Can be cold bent with mandrel radii as per specification; hot forming or stress relieving after welding may be applied when necessary.
Surface condition: Typically delivered as-rolled, descaled, or shot-blasted and primer-coated depending on agreement.
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