S355JR vs S355J0 vs S355J2 — which to specify
The rule: JR for indoor and warm-climate structures where the spec allows; J2 when the engineer writes EN 1993 with fracture-toughness requirements (EN 1993-1-10), for anything lifted or dynamic (cranes, trailers, mining), and for Kazakhstan, Balkan and northern EU winters. J2+N is the export standard for thick plate because normalizing refines the grain and guarantees the impact values through the thickness.
| Grade | Impact test | Delivery | Typical spec | Price vs JR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S355JR | 27 J at +20 °C | As rolled | General structures in mild climates, secondary members | 1.00 |
| S355J0 | 27 J at 0 °C | As rolled / +AR | Buildings in EU/Gulf, bridges (secondary) | 1.01–1.02 |
| S355J2 | 27 J at −20 °C | As rolled or +N | Primary members, cranes, EN 1090 EXC2/3, cold regions | 1.02–1.04 |
| S355J2+N | 27 J at −20 °C | Normalized | Offshore, wind towers, heavy welded structures, pressure parts | 1.05–1.08 |
| S355K2 | 40 J at −20 °C | +N | Heavy plate, high restraint welds | 1.06–1.10 |
Which S355 do you need? JR, J0, J2, K2, +N, NL
S355 is one strength class with several toughness and delivery classes, and each has its own page with full tables: S355JR (27 J at +20 °C, the workshop grade), S355J0 (0 °C), S355J2 (−20 °C, the stock grade for welded structures), S355J2+N (normalised heavy plate), S355K2 (40 J at −20 °C), S355NL and S355ML (−50 °C fine-grain), and the DIN name ST52. If the drawing says only S355, order J2.
Mechanical properties by thickness
| Thickness | Yield min (MPa) | Tensile (MPa) | Elongation min | CEV max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 16 mm | 355 | 470–630 | 22% | 0.45 |
| 16 – 40 mm | 345 | 470–630 | 22% | 0.45 |
| 40 – 63 mm | 335 | 470–630 | 21% | 0.47 |
| 63 – 80 mm | 325 | 470–630 | 21% | 0.47 |
| 80 – 100 mm | 315 | 470–630 | 21% | 0.47 |
Chemistry: C ≤ 0.20 (0.22 > 30 mm), Mn ≤ 1.60, Si ≤ 0.55, P/S ≤ 0.025 (J2). Full tables on steelstandart.com.
Equivalents: ST52-3, A572 Grade 50, SM490
| Standard | Grade | Yield | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIN 17100 | St52-3 (N / U) | 355 | Superseded by S355J2 (N) / J0 (U) |
| ASTM | A572 Gr. 50 | 345 | Dual-certified on many heats |
| ASTM | A992 | 345–450 | Shapes; plate by A572 |
| JIS G3106 | SM490A/B/C | 325 | Welded structures |
| GOST 19281 | 17G1S / 09G2S | 325–345 | CIS specs; 09G2S ≈ S355J2 |
| BS 4360 | 50B / 50D | 355 | Superseded; 50D ≈ J2 |
Weight chart
| Thickness | kg/m² | 2 000 × 6 000 (kg) | 2 500 × 12 000 (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 mm | 47.1 | 565 | 1 413 |
| 8 mm | 62.8 | 754 | 1 884 |
| 10 mm | 78.5 | 942 | 2 355 |
| 12 mm | 94.2 | 1 130 | 2 826 |
| 15 mm | 118 | 1 413 | 3 533 |
| 20 mm | 157 | 1 884 | 4 710 |
| 25 mm | 196 | 2 355 | 5 888 |
| 30 mm | 236 | 2 826 | 7 065 |
| 40 mm | 314 | 3 768 | 9 420 |
| 50 mm | 393 | 4 710 | 11 775 |
| 60 mm | 471 | 5 652 | 14 130 |
| 80 mm | 628 | 7 536 | 18 840 |
| 100 mm | 785 | 9 420 | 23 550 |
Welding and forming S355
CEV ≤ 0.45 (≤ 40 mm): weld with E42/E46 (ISO 2560) or ER70S-6 consumables, no preheat below 25 mm, 75–100 °C preheat from 40 mm or in high restraint; J2 requires matching-toughness consumables. Cold bending inside radius ≥ 2t transverse, 3t longitudinal to the rolling direction; flame-cut edges of J2 plate can be used as-cut for EXC2. Normalized (+N) plate stays flat after cutting — important for laser-cut crane parts.
Applications
- Primary beams and columns fabricated from plate (welded I-girders, box columns)
- Crane girders, jib and boom plates, mining and quarry equipment
- Trailer chassis, tipper bodies (S355MC for cold forming — see HSLA page)
- Wind-tower flanges and shells (J2+N, K2+N with UT)
- Bridge and pipeline plate (J2+N)
- Base plates, thick gussets, lifting lugs
Processing
Plasma to 80 mm and flame above, laser to 25 mm; bevelling; drilling; shot-blast Sa 2½ and shop primer; plate rolling (to 40 mm) into shells; UT to EN 10160 S1/E1 for lifting and crane parts. Nested kits ship labelled to the drawing.
S355 plate price per ton
S355JR/J2 is priced per mill lot, typically 4–8% above the S235JR band on the S235JR plate page, with +N and thicknesses over 50 mm at the top of that range; cutting, UT and priming per piece. Ask for the current figure for your thickness mix.
Bands from our weekly export list (September 2026), FOB Istanbul, full-container quantities, excluding freight and certificates. Firm price per project on RFQ within one working day.
Export and packing
Packs to 5 t on skids; 6 m plate in 40' HC (24–25 t), 12 m and heavy plate by flat-rack or breakbulk from Derince. HS code 7208.51.
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| MOQ | 1 × 20' or 1 truck; breakbulk from 100 t |
| Incoterms | FOB Istanbul / Derince · CIF / CFR Gulf, Africa · DAP EU, Balkans, Iraq, Caucasus · DAP Aktau |
| Lead time | Stock 5–10 working days; +N and thick plate 4–6 weeks |
| Packing | Packs to 5 t on skids, strapped |
| Container / truck | 40' HC ≈ 24–25 t · flat-rack / breakbulk for 12 m and >5 t plates · truck 24 t |
| Documents | Invoice, packing list, EN 10204 3.1/3.2, UT report, CE, certificate of origin; SASO / SONCAP / COC / EAC on request |
| Payment | 30% advance, balance against B/L copy; L/C at sight via London office |
Certificates
EN 10204 3.1 per plate with impact values, 3.2 with third-party inspector, UT EN 10160, CE per EN 10025, certificate of origin; SASO / SONCAP / COC / EAC on request.
How to order
Send grade (JR/J0/J2, +N), thickness × width × length or DXF, quantity, tests (UT, 3.2), surface and port; we reply within one working day.
Standards
- EN 10025-2 (S355JR / J0 / J2 / K2, +N)
- EN 10029 (tolerances)
- EN 10160 (ultrasonic testing)
- ASTM A572 Gr. 50 / A992
- DIN 17100 St52-3 (superseded)
- JIS G3106 SM490
Grades
Grade data sheets (chemistry, mechanicals, equivalents) are on our reference site: S355JR · S355J2 · St52 · A572 Grade 50 · S235JR vs S355J2
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between S355JR and S355J2?
Only the impact-test temperature: JR 27 J at +20 °C, J2 27 J at −20 °C (J0 at 0 °C). J2 is required for primary members, dynamic loads and cold climates and costs 2–4% more.
Is S355 the same as ST52?
Yes — DIN St52-3 became S355J2 (St52-3N) / S355J0 (St52-3U). ASTM A572 Grade 50 is the US equivalent with 345 MPa yield.
What does +N mean?
Normalized: heated to about 900 °C and air-cooled after rolling to refine the grain, giving guaranteed toughness through the thickness and better flatness after cutting. Specified for thick plate, offshore, wind and crane work.
Can S355 be welded like S235?
With the same processes; below 25 mm no preheat, from 40 mm or in high restraint 75–100 °C preheat, and matching-toughness consumables for J2. CEV ≤ 0.45.
What thicknesses do you stock?
6–50 mm in JR/J2 for the common sizes; 60–100 mm and +N/K2 grades from the mill in 4–6 weeks.
Is S355 more expensive than S235?
By 4–8% per ton, but a 355 MPa design usually saves 15–25% of the steel weight, so the structure is cheaper.
Do you supply UT-tested plate?
Yes — ultrasonic testing to EN 10160 (S1/E1 or S2/E2) for lifting, crane and pressure parts, with the report attached to the 3.1 or 3.2 certificate.