Structural steel is the world’s most common steel grade. Often the main function of this steel type is to carry the weight of the structure. The carbon content of structural steels is relatively low and the steel is characterized by none or low-alloy. The welding features are excellent.
Structural steels offer many opportunities in designing and manufacturing of different machinery, equipment and structures.
We provide structural steel plates directly from our stock. Special thicknesses, widths and lengths are delivered from the mill. All our structural steel plates are equipped with CE-marking.
Structural steel product range in our stock:
- S235JR steels both in strip and heavy plates
- S355K2 steels both in strip and heavy plates
Heavy plates’ width and length tolerances meet the EN 10029 standard. The most common thickness tolerance is class A.
Strip plates’ width and length tolerances meet the EN 10051 standard. The most common thickness tolerance is class B.
- Dimensions
- Welding
The most common structural steel plate thicknesses and sizes available in our stock:
| Grade | Thickness (mm) | Width x length (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| DC01 AMO | 1–3 | 1500 x 3000 |
| S235 | 3–15 | 1500 x 3000 1500 x 6000 2000 x 6000 |
| 16–50 | 2000 x 6000 2500 x 6000 |
|
| S355 | 3–15 | 1500 x 6000 2000 x 6000 |
| 8–50 | 2000 x 6000 2500 x 6000 2500 x 12000 |
|
| 60–120 | 2000 x 6000 2500 x 6000 |
|
| 130 | 2000 x 6000 | |
| 140–160 | 2000 x 5000 | |
| 170–250 | 2000 x 4000 |
During welding attention should be paid to prevention of the cold cracking behavior of the steel and the mechanical properties of the weld joint. The optimal working temperature and the cleanliness of the surfaces are both crucial. An effective mean to avoiding cold cracking is preheating. It delays the cooling of the weld region and thereby slows the hydrogen effusion.
Steel’s susceptibility to cold cracking and the need for preheating can be estimated by the carbon equivalent. The most often used formula for this is:
CEV = C + Mn/6 + (Cr+Mo+V)/5 + (Ni+Cu)/15
Experience has showed that the weldability of the steel is at its best at the room temperature when the CEV is below 0,4 %.
| CEV (%) | |
|---|---|
| < 0,41 | steel is good for welding |
| 0,41–0,45 | austenitic welding filler metals |
| 0,45–0,59 | preheating and heat treatment |
| 0,6–0,8 | difficult to weld |
| > 0,8 | not suitable for welding |
Welding conditions have a crucial effect on mechanical properties of welding joints. Thermal effects of welding are not allowed to weaken the steel properties in the way the construction would not meet the requirements set. Mechanical properties should be achieved both welding metal and heat-affected-zone (HAZ).
