JIS G3101 SS400 Carbon Structural Steel

JIS G3101 SS400 Carbon Structural Steel

JIS G3101 SS400 Carbon Structural Steel Coil – Properties, Equivalents & Applications

Full technical data for JIS G3101 SS400 steel coil: chemical composition, mechanical properties, thermal and electrical characteristics, international equivalents, and application guidance.

Welding, cutting, forming, drilling, machining, hot-dip galvanizing

JIS G3101 SS400 Carbon Structural Steel Introduction

JIS G3101 SS400 is a general-purpose carbon structural steel supplied as hot-rolled coil, plate, strip, and sections. It is one of the most widely used steel grades in construction, machinery, shipbuilding, and bridge engineering. SS400 is characterized by a tensile strength range of 400–510 MPa and yield strength that depends on thickness. The steel is typically used in the as-rolled condition without subsequent heat treatment. It exhibits good weldability, formability, and machinability, making it suitable for bolted, riveted, and welded structures. No impact toughness requirements are specified unless agreed at the time of ordering, so it is primarily applied in static loading environments. The grade does not contain deliberate additions of alloying elements, and its chemical composition is controlled mainly for carbon, manganese, phosphorus, and sulfur. International equivalents such as ASTM A36 and EN S235JR allow seamless substitution in global projects.

JIS G3101 SS400 Carbon Structural Steel Chemical Composition

Chemical composition limits according to JIS G3101 for ladle analysis. Only carbon, manganese, phosphorus, and sulfur are specified. Silicon is not intentionally controlled or reported for SS400. Trace elements such as chromium, nickel, copper, and molybdenum are not specified and are only present as residuals.

  • Carbon (C) influences strength and weldability – kept below 0.20% to maintain good toughness and weldability.
  • Manganese (Mn) provides solid-solution strengthening, with maximum 1.00%.
  • Phosphorus (P) and Sulfur (S) are impurities limited to 0.050% each to avoid embrittlement and hot shortness.
Chemical ElementStandard ValueUnitRemarks
Carbon, C≤0.20%Ladle analysis
Manganese, Mn≤1.00%Ladle analysis
Phosphorus, P≤0.050%Ladle analysis
Sulfur, S≤0.050%Ladle analysis

JIS G3101 SS400 Carbon Structural Steel Thermal and Electrical Physical Properties

The following physical properties are typical for plain carbon steel of this type and are provided for engineering reference only. They are not mandatory requirements of JIS G3101. Values are given at room temperature unless otherwise noted. Thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity vary with composition and temperature; the figures below represent common literature data for low-carbon structural steel.

PropertyTypical ValueUnitTest Condition / Remark
Density (ρ)7.85g/cm³At 20°C
Elastic Modulus (E)200 – 210GPaRoom temperature
Shear Modulus (G)80GPaRoom temperature
Poisson's Ratio (ν)0.30-Room temperature
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (α)11.1 × 10⁻⁶K⁻¹20°C – 100°C
Thermal Expansion Coefficient (α)12.5 × 10⁻⁶K⁻¹20°C – 200°C
Thermal Conductivity (λ)53W/(m·K)At 100°C
Thermal Conductivity (λ)51W/(m·K)At 300°C
Specific Heat Capacity486J/(kg·K)Room temperature
Electrical Resistivity (ρ_e)0.22μΩ·mAt 20°C, typical

JIS G3101 SS400 Carbon Structural Steel Mechanical Properties

Mechanical properties depend on thickness and test piece orientation. Tensile properties are based on as-rolled longitudinal specimens. The bending test requires 180° bending around a mandrel without cracking. Impact toughness (KV) is not specified for SS400; it is not a requirement in JIS G3101 unless specially agreed upon. Therefore, no impact values are listed. Tensile properties display multiple rows corresponding to different thickness ranges.

PropertyStandard Requirement ValueUnitTest Conditions
Yield Strength (ReH)≥245MPaThickness (t) ≤16 mm
Yield Strength (ReH)≥235MPa16 mm < t ≤ 40 mm
Yield Strength (ReH)≥215MPa40 mm < t ≤ 100 mm
Yield Strength (ReH)≥205MPat > 100 mm
Tensile Strength (Rm)400 – 510MPaAll thicknesses
Elongation (A)≥17%No.5 test piece, t ≤5 mm
Elongation (A)≥21%No.1A test piece, 5 mm < t ≤16 mm
Elongation (A)≥17%No.1A test piece, 16 mm < t ≤50 mm
Elongation (A)≥21%No.10 test piece, t >50 mm (or 23% for No.4)
Bending Test (Bend Angle 180°)No cracks-Bend diameter 1.5 × t, t ≤16 mm
Bending Test (Bend Angle 180°)No cracks-Bend diameter 1.5 × t, t >16 mm

JIS G3101 SS400 Carbon Structural Steel Fully Equivalent Material Standards and Substitutable Grades

Country/RegionStandardGradeRemarks
JapanJIS G3101SS400Original specification
USAASTM A36/A36MA36Equivalent carbon structural steel; yield strength 250 MPa, tensile 400–550 MPa
EuropeEN 10025-2S235JRSimilar structural grade; tensile 360–510 MPa, min. yield 235 MPa
InternationalISO 630-2S235BStructural steel with comparable strength and composition
ChinaGB/T 700Q235BDirect parallel; tensile 375–500 MPa, yield 235 MPa (t ≤16 mm)

JIS G3101 SS400 Carbon Structural Steel Application Introduction

SS400 is a versatile structural steel suitable for a wide range of applications where static loading is predominant and no special impact requirements exist. Its balance of strength, weldability, and formability makes it the material of choice for many general construction and mechanical engineering projects.

  • Key advantages: Cost-effective, readily available worldwide, easy to weld and form.
  • Typical usage: Structural frameworks, supports, machine bases, storage tanks, and agricultural equipment.
  • Processing: Can be cut, drilled, bent, and hot-dip galvanized. Preheating is generally not required for welding thicknesses below 30 mm.

Product Applications: Structural beams, columns, and girders, Floor plates and decking, Prefabricated steel frames, Storage tanks and silos, Agricultural implements, Welded pipes and hollow sections

Processed into products: Brackets and supports, Machine bases and frames, Stiffeners and gusset plates, Railings and walkways, Conveyor components, Door and window frames for industrial buildings

Application industries: Building and construction, Bridge engineering, Shipbuilding and marine structures, General mechanical engineering, Agricultural machinery, Transportation and storage

JIS G3101 SS400 Carbon Structural Steel Similar / Alternative Material Recommendations

Country/RegionStandardGradeRemarks
USAASTM A283/A283MGrade CTensile 380–515 MPa, yield ≥205 MPa; slightly lower carbon, suitable substitution
EuropeEN 10025-2S275JRTensile 410–560 MPa, yield ≥275 MPa; higher strength, good weldability
ChinaGB/T 700Q275BTensile 410–560 MPa, yield ≥275 MPa; alternative for higher strength demand
InternationalISO 630-2S275BComparable to EN S275JR, slightly higher strength than SS400

Notes:

  • SS400 is supplied in the as-rolled condition with a dark mill scale surface. It is not intended for heat treatment, though normalizing may be applied if agreed.
  • JIS G3101 does not require impact testing for SS400; therefore, the steel is not guaranteed for use at low-temperature or dynamic load applications unless supplementary requirements are included in the order.
  • When ordering, the desired shape, dimensions, and any additional tests (e.g., ultrasonic testing, specific flatness tolerances) should be specified.
  • For welded structures subject to fatigue or seismic loads, the engineer should evaluate the suitability of SS400 in relation to service conditions.
  • Physical property values given are typical for carbon steel and may vary slightly between production batches. For critical design calculations, it is recommended to verify properties using material certificates.
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