Meaning of steel name designation (European standard)

European Standard Designation Systems for Steel Names

1. Designation and meaning of the names of structural steels

• The first letter indicates the type of steel,
• The following digits indicate the yield strength MPa;
• The 2 symbols immediately after the yield point value indicate the quality grade of the steel;
• The symbols immediately following the quality grade indicate characteristics/uses or treatment, and
• Finally, a plus sign (+) and a symbol indicate delivery/handling conditions, coatings or special requirements.

For example,

S235JRC+C Meaning :

• “S” is the abbreviation for structural steel.
• “235” refers to the yield strength in MPa.
• J indicates Joules (27 J)
• R is the abbreviation for Room temperature (20 °C).
• C stands for special cold forming (cold flanging, cold forming or cold drawing).
• “+C” indicates cold hardening.

S235JRC+C Meaning : Structural steel (S) with specified minimum yield strength of 235 MPa at room temperature, minimum impact energy of 27 J at room temperature of 20 °C (JR), suitable for cold flanging (C), delivery condition +C (cold hardened).

Meaning S355J2W : Structural steel (S) with specified yield strength ≥355 MPa at room temperature, impact energy ≥27 J at -20 °C (J2) and is weather resistant (W).

S355MC Meaning : Structural steel (S), thermomechanically rolled (M), with a specified minimum yield strength at room temperature of 355 MPa (355) and suitable for cold forming (C).