What is S500MC steel?
S500MC is a thermomechanically rolled, micro-alloyed (Nb-Ti-V) hot-rolled strip with 500 MPa minimum yield and the cold-forming guarantees of EN 10149-2. Carbon stays at 0.12 % max and manganese at 1.70 %, so the carbon equivalent remains around 0.33 — it welds like a mild steel while carrying the strength of a quenched-and-tempered grade. The standard guarantees bend radii of 1.0 × t (≤ 3 mm) and 1.5 × t (> 3 mm) transverse to rolling, and 40 J Charpy at −20 °C longitudinal. Unlike normalised or QT plate, the strength comes from the fine grain produced during rolling, which is why MC grades must not be hot-formed or heat-treated. The strip is produced up to about 20 mm; 2–12 mm is the commercial range and what we stock or order. Brand names for the same class — Strenx 500MC, Domex 500MC — are widely used in drawings.
Chemical composition
| Element | C | Si | Mn | P | S | Al | Nb | V | Ti |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| max. % (ladle) | 0.12 | 0.50 | 1.70 | 0.025 | 0.015 | ≥ 0.015 | 0.09 | 0.20 | 0.15 |
Nb + V + Ti ≤ 0.22 %. CEV typically 0.31–0.35.
Mechanical properties
| Thickness | Yield ReH min (MPa) | Tensile Rm (MPa) | Elongation min | Impact KV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5–3 mm | 500 | 550–700 | 12 (A80) | — |
| > 3 mm | 500 | 550–700 | 16 % (A5) | 40 J at −20 °C (long.) |
Equivalent grades
| System | Grade | Note |
|---|---|---|
| SEW 092 | QStE 500 TM | old German name |
| EN 10025-4 | S460M (nearest plate) | |
| ASTM | A1011 HSLAS-F Gr. 70 / A656 Gr. 70 | near |
| JIS G3134 | SPFH 590 | |
| SSAB | Strenx 500MC / Domex 500MC | brand |
Thickness range and stock sizes
| Thickness | Widths × lengths | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 2–3 mm | coil 1 000–1 500 mm; sheet to 6 000 | to order 2–4 weeks |
| 4–6 mm | coil 1 250–1 500 mm; sheet 1 500 × 6 000 | part stock, else 2–3 weeks |
| 8–12 mm | coil 1 500 mm; sheet 1 500 × 6 000 | to order 3–4 weeks |
Weight per m² and per plate
| Thickness | kg/m² | 1 500 × 6 000 (kg) | 2 000 × 6 000 (kg) | 2 500 × 12 000 (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mm | 15.7 | 141 | 188 | 471 |
| 2.5 mm | 19.6 | 177 | 236 | 589 |
| 3 mm | 23.6 | 212 | 283 | 707 |
| 4 mm | 31.4 | 283 | 377 | 942 |
| 5 mm | 39.3 | 353 | 471 | 1 178 |
| 6 mm | 47.1 | 424 | 565 | 1 413 |
| 8 mm | 62.8 | 565 | 754 | 1 884 |
| 10 mm | 78.5 | 707 | 942 | 2 355 |
| 12 mm | 94.2 | 848 | 1 130 | 2 826 |
Nominal weights — mill tolerance to EN 10029 class A adds up to +4 % on thin plate; invoiced on theoretical weight unless agreed otherwise.
Welding, cutting and forming
Forming: inside radius 1 × t (≤ 3 mm) / 1.5 × t (> 3 mm) transverse, 2 × t longitudinal; keep the burr inside, deburr sheared edges, expect 3–5° more spring-back than S355MC. Welding: no preheat (CEV ≈ 0.33), G46–G50 consumables, heat input 0.8–1.5 kJ/mm on 3–6 mm to limit HAZ softening; fillet welds are usually designed under-matching. Laser cuts to 12 mm with an excellent edge; plasma and waterjet routine. No hot forming or stress-relief above 580 °C.
Where it is used
- Tipper and dump bodies, side walls and floors
- Crane, concrete-pump and aerial-platform booms
- Weight-optimised trailer chassis
- Mining and construction equipment attachments
- Agricultural machinery frames and arms
- Container corner and floor structures
S500MC vs S700MC
S700MC adds another 40 % yield (700 vs 500 MPa) but demands more from the shop: bend radius 1.5–2 × t, harder punching, careful heat input, more spring-back, and a price about 25 % higher per ton. For a tipper or a chassis S500MC is usually the economic optimum; S700MC pays off in booms and long-reach structures where every kilogram is carried at the tip. See S700MC and, for the lighter end, S355MC.
Price
S500MC sits about 200 USD/t over the S235JR base in our list. The band below is the month's indicative FOB Istanbul range; slitting, cut-to-length and pickling are added per ton.
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
Export packing of S500MC steel is by skid: up to 5 t per pack, steel straps, corner boards, stencilled heat numbers and a pack list that references the 3.1 certificates. Six-metre plate loads 24–25 t into a 40' HC. Long and heavy plate is shipped flat-rack or breakbulk via Derince. HS code 7208.51 / 7208.52.
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| MOQ | One coil (≈ 18–20 t) or 10 t of sheet |
| Incoterms | FOB Istanbul · CIF / CFR Gulf, Africa · DAP EU, Balkans, Iraq, Caucasus · DAP Aktau |
| Lead time | Coil to order 2–4 weeks; 4–6 mm cut sheet often from coil stock 5–8 days |
| Packing | Coil eye-to-sky, VCI wrap; sheet on skids ≤ 5 t |
| Container / truck | 20' one coil; 40' HC two coils or 24 t sheet |
| Documents | Invoice, packing list, EN 10204 3.1 (3.2 on request), certificate of origin; SASO / SONCAP / PVoC on request |
| Payment | 30% advance, balance against B/L copy; L/C at sight for orders above 100 t |
Certificates and testing
Every lot of S500MC steel carries an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate listing heat, chemistry, mechanical and impact results. On request we add 3.2 witnessing by a classification society or inspector, EN 10160 ultrasonic testing and supplementary impact tests at the customer's design temperature.
How to order
Specify thickness × width (coil) or × length (sheet), tonnage, surface (black or pickled), and the bending direction relative to rolling if the parts are critical — we can supply cut sheet with the rolling direction marked.
Standards
- EN 10149-2:2013 — S500MC, 1.0984
- EN 10051 tolerances
- EN 10204 3.1
- Former SEW 092 QStE 500 TM
Grades
Grade data sheets (chemistry, mechanicals, equivalents) are on our reference site: S500MC · S460MC · S700MC
Frequently asked questions
What are the material properties of S500MC?
Yield ≥ 500 MPa, tensile 550–700 MPa, elongation ≥ 12 % (A80) / 16 % (A5), 40 J at −20 °C, C ≤ 0.12 %, bend radius 1–1.5 × t; EN 10149-2, 1.0984.
What is the difference between S500MC and S700MC?
700 vs 500 MPa yield, tighter bend radius (1.5–2 × t vs 1–1.5 × t), Mo/B alloying in S700MC and a 20–30 % higher price; S700MC is for booms and extreme weight saving, S500MC for bodies and chassis.
Is S500MC weldable without preheat?
Yes — carbon equivalent ≈ 0.33; use G46/G50 wire and moderate heat input to avoid softening the HAZ.
What is Strenx 500MC?
SSAB's brand name for an S500MC-class thermomechanical steel; any EN 10149-2 S500MC meets the same standard requirements.
What thickness range is available in S500MC?
2–12 mm as coil and cut sheet from our programme; 1.5 mm and 14–16 mm on request.