S355J2 carbon steel plate is the structural grade of choice for demanding European projects requiring guaranteed low-temperature impact toughness. With a minimum yield strength of 355 MPa and 27J Charpy impact guarantee at -20°C, S355J2 is the standard specification for bridges, heavy construction, mining and material handling equipment, offshore modules, and any structure operating in cold environments.
Huaxia-Steel supplies EN 10025-2 S355J2 plate normalized (+N) factory direct from ISO-certified Chinese mills, with full EN 10204 3.1 mill certification, third-party inspection on request, and global ocean shipping.
Product Overview
S355J2 is the high-yield structural grade in the EN 10025-2 series, with guaranteed 27J Charpy V-notch impact at -20°C (J2 designation). For thicker plates (40mm+) and severe cold-service conditions, S355J2 is typically delivered in normalized condition (+N) to ensure uniform grain refinement and reliable impact toughness across the full plate thickness. The combination of high strength, guaranteed low-temperature performance, and good weldability makes it the most commonly ordered subgrade for international heavy structural projects.
Specifications
Standard & Grade
- Standard: EN 10025-2:2019
- Grade: S355J2+N (most common) or S355J2 as-rolled (for thinner plates ≤25mm)
- Equivalent grades: ASTM A572 Gr.50 / A633 Gr.C, JIS SM490YA, GB/T Q355B, DIN 1.0577, IS 2062 E350, GOST 17G1S
- Common alternative: S355K2 (40J at -20°C, normalized) for higher-impact applications
Dimensional Range
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 6mm – 200mm |
| Width | 1,500mm – 3,500mm |
| Length | 3,000mm – 18,000mm |
| Plate per ton weight (10mm) | ~78.5 kg/m² |
| Typical max plate weight | 18 tonnes |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Yield Strength (ReH, ≤16mm) | ≥355 MPa |
| Yield Strength (16-40mm) | ≥345 MPa |
| Yield Strength (40-63mm) | ≥335 MPa |
| Yield Strength (63-80mm) | ≥325 MPa |
| Yield Strength (80-100mm) | ≥315 MPa |
| Tensile Strength (Rm) | 470-630 MPa |
| Elongation (A5) | ≥20-22% |
| Impact Energy (KV, -20°C, full-size) | ≥27J (J2 designation) |
| Brinell Hardness (typical) | 140-180 HBW |
Chemical Composition (Heat Analysis, max %)
| C | Mn | Si | P | S | N | Cu | CEV (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.20 | 1.60 | 0.55 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.012 | 0.55 | ≤0.45 |
S355J2 has tighter S and P limits than S275JR, ensuring better weldability and lower risk of hot-cracking in heavy sections. CEV of 0.45 is acceptable for most welding procedures; for thick sections requiring preheat above 50mm, request a CEV ≤0.40 quotation.
Available Subgrades
| Subgrade | Impact Temp | Min Impact | Delivery Condition | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S355JR | +20°C | 27J | +AR / +N | Indoor structural |
| S355J0 | 0°C | 27J | +AR / +N | Light cold-climate structures |
| S355J2 | -20°C | 27J | +AR / +N | Standard cold-region structural |
| S355J2+N | -20°C | 27J | +N (normalized) | Heavy sections + thick plate |
| S355K2+N | -20°C | 40J | +N (normalized) | Higher impact energy required |
| S355M/ML | -50°C | 27-40J | +M (TMCP) | Arctic, offshore (EN 10025-4) |
| S355NL | -50°C | 27J | +N (normalized) | Offshore (EN 10025-3) |
Why Normalized Delivery (+N)?
For S355J2 plates above 25mm thickness, normalized delivery is strongly recommended:
- Refined grain structure: Normalizing at ~920°C produces uniform fine-grained austenite that transforms to a consistent ferrite-pearlite structure on cooling
- Consistent impact properties: Critical for sub-zero application; normalized plate delivers reliable Charpy values across the full thickness (not just surface)
- Lower scatter: As-rolled heavier plates show more variation in mechanical properties between locations
- Higher CEV tolerance: Normalizing allows slightly higher CEV without compromising toughness
The cost premium for normalized (+N) over as-rolled is typically 5-8% per tonne, well worth it for critical-service plates above 40mm or plates destined for offshore, arctic, or seismic-zone applications.
Typical Applications
Heavy Construction & Civil Engineering
- Bridge girders, deck plates, and stiffeners
- High-rise building columns and transfer beams
- Stadium roof supports and grandstand structures
- Long-span warehouse and hangar frames
- Heavy-duty crane girders (overhead and gantry)
Energy & Heavy Industry
- Wind turbine tower flanges (especially onshore cold-climate installations)
- Hydroelectric turbine housings
- Mining excavator and dump truck frame components
- Offshore module skids and primary structure (with supplementary specs)
- Pressure vessel shells and dome heads (ASME equivalent: SA-516 Gr.70)
Material Handling
- Port crane structures and grab bucket bodies
- Heavy conveyor frames and transfer points
- Barge and ship hull structures (DNV / ABS / LR certified mills available)
Steel Service Centres
- Stock for cutting into heavy structural fittings
- Baseplates for industrial equipment mounting
- Cutting stock for sawmills, press shops
Manufacturing Standards & Quality Control
- EN 10025-2: Primary standard (or EN 10025-3 for normalized grain-controlled)
- EN 10029: Plate tolerances for thickness, length, flatness
- EN 10163: Surface condition classes (Class B2/C2 if visible defects covered)
- EN 10204 3.1: MTC supplied with every plate/heat
- EN 10164: Through-thickness Z-quality for plates in through-thickness tension (Z15/Z25/Z35 by agreement)
- ISO 9001: Mill quality management (typically certified)
Available Thickness & Size Range (Stock)
| Thickness (mm) | Width Range (mm) | Length Range (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 – 12 | 1,500 – 3,200 | 3,000 – 12,000 |
| 12 – 25 | 1,500 – 3,500 | 3,000 – 12,000 |
| 25 – 50 | 1,800 – 3,500 | 3,000 – 12,000 |
| 50 – 80 | 1,800 – 3,200 | 3,000 – 9,000 |
| 80 – 120 | 1,800 – 2,800 | 3,000 – 6,000 |
| 120 – 200 | 1,800 – 2,500 | 3,000 – 5,000 |
Custom sizes up to 200mm thickness available by agreement. Plates above 100mm typically carry a 4-6 week lead time. Plates with normalized delivery are subject to heat-treatment capacity at the rolling mill — please confirm availability for grades thicker than 80mm.
Quality Assurance & Documentation
- MTC EN 10204 3.1: Full heat analysis + mechanical test report per plate or per heat (for thinner plates)
- Charpy test report: 3 specimens per test set, longitudinal for as-rolled, transverse for normalized (longitudinal specimens optionally available)
- Through-thickness test: Z15/Z25/Z35 reduction of area at plate mid-thickness (on request, additional cost)
- Third-party inspection: SGS, BV, TUV, Intertek (USD 250-450 per inspector day plus travel)
- Marking: Each plate carries heat number, plate number, grade designation, dimension, and supplier mark per EN 10025-2
Welding & Fabrication Considerations
For S355J2 welding, follow EN 1011 or AWS D1.1 guidelines:
- Filler metal: E7018 or ER70S-6 (matching strength)
- Preheat: Typically required above 25mm combined thickness or CEV >0.40. Recommended preheat 75-150°C for thicker plates
- Heat input control: Maximum 2.0 kJ/mm for normalized plate to preserve HAZ toughness
- PWHT: Post-weld heat treatment is not normally required for non-pressure applications; consult relevant code for specific requirements
- Cold forming: Minimum bend radius 2t (twice thickness) for S355J2 cold forming; normalized plate bends slightly better due to finer grain
Packaging and Shipping
- Plate packaging: Steel banding on timber dunnage, plastic edge guards, optional VCI film wrapping for export
- Container loading: Each plate identified per heat, photos taken pre/during/post-loading
- Ocean shipping: FOB Shanghai / Tianjin / Qingdao; CIF to major world ports; DDP project-site delivery on request
- Lead time: 7-14 days for stock sizes; 3-4 weeks for custom dimensions; 4-6 weeks for plates above 100mm
Why Specify Huaxia-Steel for S355J2 Plate
- Direct mill pricing: Our parent mills roll plate 8-15% below trading company rates
- EN 10025-2 verified: Every shipment is third-party-inspected and the MTC explicitly references EN 10025-2 S355J2
- Normalized capability: We have multiple mill partners with normalizing furnaces for thick plates up to 200mm
- Wide dimensional range: 6-200mm thickness, 1.5-3.5m width, 3-18m length — one of the broadest product ranges offered factory-direct
- Project logistics: DDP delivery to project sites, including customs clearance and inland haulage
Get a Quote
Need S355J2 carbon steel plate for your project? Contact Huaxia-Steel with your specifications (grade, subgrade, thickness, dimensions, quantity, delivery port, MTC requirements) to receive a competitive mill-direct quotation. We supply EN 10025-2 S355J2+N plate with full 3.1 MTC, normalized delivery on request, third-party inspection on request, and global shipping.
