DIN 17102 WStE420 Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Steel
DIN 17102 WStE420 Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Steel - Normalized Fine-Grain Weldable Structural Steel
Comprehensive material data for WStE420 steel according to DIN 17102, including chemical composition, mechanical properties, thermal properties, equivalent grades, and application guide.
Welding, gas cutting, cold bending, hot forming, machining
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DIN 17102 WStE420 Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Steel Introduction
DIN 17102 WStE420 is a weldable fine-grain structural steel supplied in normalized or thermomechanically rolled condition. It belongs to the carbon and low-alloy high-strength steel category with minimum yield strength of 420 MPa.
- Good weldability and high toughness, suitable for low-temperature applications
- Fine-grain structure through microalloying elements such as Nb, V, Ti
- Used in heavily loaded welded structures like bridges, cranes, and pressure vessels
Key properties: high strength, excellent toughness, reliable weldability, and good cold formability. The steel is now usually supplied according to EN 10025-3 (S420N) or EN 10025-4 (S420M).
DIN 17102 WStE420 Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Steel Chemical Composition
The ladle analysis according to DIN 17102 for WStE420. Microalloying elements Nb, V, and Ti may be added singly or in combination to achieve fine grain strengthening.
- Maximum values unless a range is given
- Aluminum content is total or acid-soluble aluminum sufficient to ensure fine-grain practice
If the content of Nb, V, or Ti is not reported, the steel is treated as not containing that element.
| Element | Value (wt%) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.20 | |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 0.60 | |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.00 – 1.70 | |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.030 | |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.025 | |
| Aluminum (Al) | ≥ 0.020 | Total Al, acid-soluble Al ≥ 0.015 is also accepted |
| Nitrogen (N) | ≤ 0.020 | |
| Niobium (Nb) | ≤ 0.05 | Optional microalloying element |
| Vanadium (V) | ≤ 0.15 | Optional microalloying element |
| Titanium (Ti) | ≤ 0.06 | Optional microalloying element |
| Cr, Ni, Mo, Cu | Report if required | Residual elements, not specified |
DIN 17102 WStE420 Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Steel Thermal and Electrical Physical Properties
Physical properties are typical for fine-grain structural steels and may vary slightly with composition and heat treatment.
- Density, elastic modulus, and thermal expansion are design-relevant data
- Values apply at ambient temperature unless noted
Electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity are for general reference.
| Property | Value | Unit | Test Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density (ρ) | 7.85 | g/cm³ | At 20 °C |
| Elastic modulus (E) | 210 | GPa | At 20 °C |
| Shear modulus (G) | approx. 81 | GPa | Calculated from E and ν |
| Poisson's ratio (ν) | 0.3 | – | At 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion coefficient (α) | 11.1 × 10⁻⁶ | K⁻¹ | Between 20 °C and 100 °C |
| Thermal expansion coefficient (α) | 12.5 × 10⁻⁶ | K⁻¹ | Between 20 °C and 300 °C |
| Thermal conductivity (λ) | approx. 51 | W/(m·K) | At 20 °C |
| Specific heat capacity (cp) | approx. 460 | J/(kg·K) | At 20 °C |
| Electrical resistivity (ρe) | approx. 0.22 × 10⁻⁶ | Ω·m | At 20 °C |
DIN 17102 WStE420 Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Steel Mechanical Properties
Typical mechanical properties for normalized or thermomechanically rolled WStE420. Values depend on product thickness.
- Yield strength ReH and tensile strength Rm decrease with increasing thickness
- Charpy V-notch impact energy KV is measured on longitudinal specimens at -20 °C
All properties refer to the delivery condition unless otherwise agreed.
| Property | Value | Unit | Test Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strength ReH | ≥ 420 | MPa | Thickness ≤ 16 mm |
| Yield strength ReH | ≥ 400 | MPa | Thickness > 16 mm ≤ 40 mm |
| Yield strength ReH | ≥ 380 | MPa | Thickness > 40 mm ≤ 63 mm |
| Tensile strength Rm | 520 – 680 | MPa | Thickness ≤ 63 mm |
| Elongation A (L0 = 5.65√S0) | ≥ 19 | % | Thickness ≤ 40 mm, transverse |
| Elongation A | ≥ 18 | % | Thickness > 40 mm ≤ 63 mm, transverse |
| Charpy impact energy KV (longitudinal) | ≥ 27 | J | -20 °C, standard V-notch |
| Bend test (mandrel diameter) | 3a | – | 180° bend, a = specimen thickness, no cracks |
DIN 17102 WStE420 Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Steel Exact Equivalent Standards and Replaceable Grades
| Country/Region | Standard | Grade | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | EN 10025-3:2019 | S420N | Normalized condition, full equivalent |
| Europe | EN 10025-4:2019 | S420M | Thermomechanical rolled condition, comparable |
| International | ISO 4950-2:1995 | FeE420 | Withdrawn ISO standard, similar properties |
| UK | BS 4360:1990 (withdrawn) | 50DD | Equivalent for normalizing grade |
| Germany | DIN EN 10025-3 | S420N | Current standard, direct replacement for WStE420 |
DIN 17102 WStE420 Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Steel Application Introduction
WStE420 is designed for welded load-bearing structures where weight saving or high load capacity is required. Its fine-grain microstructure ensures reliable toughness at low temperatures and allows for efficient fabrication.
- Excellent weldability reduces preheating requirements
- Available in plates, coils, and sections
- Used in static and dynamically loaded constructions
Product Applications: Welded bridge girders and box sections, Penstocks and pressure pipes, Crane booms and chassis, Mining dump truck bodies, Jack-up rig legs and offshore platform components, Storage tanks and silos, Excavator and loader arms
Processed into products: Flanges and webs of plate girders, Boiler and pressure vessel shells, Load-bearing nodes and connections, Cut and bent plates for structural brackets, Welded tubular joints, Machined pins and axles (with subsequent normalizing)
Application industries: Civil engineering and bridge construction, Pressure vessel and storage tank manufacturing, Heavy machinery and mining equipment, Offshore and shipbuilding, Steel structures for buildings and industrial halls, Wind energy towers, Transportation (rail cars, trailers)
DIN 17102 WStE420 Carbon & Low-Alloy High-Strength Steel Similar / Comparable Steels for Substitution
| Country/Region | Standard | Grade | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | EN 10025-3 | S355N / S355NL | Lower yield strength, often sufficient; NL grade has improved low-temperature toughness |
| Europe | EN 10025-4 | S460M / S460ML | Higher strength, may require adjusted welding procedures |
| Japan | JIS G3106 | SM570 | Comparable tensile strength, higher yield, similar applications |
| USA | ASTM A572 / A709 | Grade 60 (420) / 60W | Comparable strength levels, used in bridges and buildings |
| China | GB/T 1591 | Q420E | Minimum yield 420 MPa, thermomechanical rolled or normalized |
Notes:
DIN 17102 has been officially withdrawn and replaced by the harmonized European standards EN 10025-3 (normalized fine-grain steels) and EN 10025-4 (thermomechanically rolled fine-grain steels). For new designs, S420N or S420M should be specified.
- When ordering to the old standard, the exact delivery condition (N, M) must be agreed
- These steels can be galvanized, but care should be taken to avoid liquid metal embrittlement
- Carbon equivalent (CEV) values are typically ≤ 0.45 for good weldability
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