Steel Chemical Composition
Table
Chemical composition values, applications, and heat treatment info for steel grades.
Select & Analyze Steel Grade
Showing 20 steel grades
| Grade | No. | C% | Si% | Mn% | P% max | S% max | Cr% | Mo% | Ni% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C10E | 1.1121 | 0.07-0.13 | ≤0.40 | 0.30-0.60 | 0.035 | 0.035 | - | - | - |
| C45 | 1.0503 | 0.42-0.50 | ≤0.40 | 0.50-0.80 | 0.030 | 0.035 | ≤0.40 | ≤0.10 | - |
| 11SMnPb30 | 1.0718 | ≤0.14 | ≤0.05 | 0.90-1.30 | ≤0.11 | 0.27-0.33 | - | - | - |
| 16MnCr5 | 1.7131 | 0.14-0.19 | ≤0.40 | 1.00-1.30 | 0.035 | 0.035 | 0.80-1.10 | - | - |
| 42CrMo4 | 1.7225 | 0.38-0.45 | ≤0.40 | 0.60-0.90 | 0.025 | 0.035 | 0.90-1.20 | 0.15-0.30 | - |
| 34CrNiMo6 | 1.6582 | 0.30-0.38 | ≤0.40 | 0.50-0.80 | 0.025 | 0.035 | 1.30-1.70 | 0.15-0.30 | 1.30-1.70 |
| 51CrV4 | 1.8159 | 0.47-0.55 | ≤0.40 | 0.70-1.10 | 0.025 | 0.025 | 0.90-1.20 | - | - |
| 100Cr6 | 1.3505 | 0.93-1.05 | 0.15-0.35 | 0.25-0.45 | 0.025 | 0.015 | 1.35-1.60 | - | - |
| S235JR | 1.0038 | ≤0.17 | - | ≤1.40 | 0.035 | 0.035 | - | - | - |
| S355J2 | 1.0577 | ≤0.20 | ≤0.55 | ≤1.60 | 0.025 | 0.025 | - | - | - |
| 304 (1.4301) | 1.4301 | ≤0.07 | ≤1.00 | ≤2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 17.5-19.5 | - | 8.0-10.5 |
| 316L (1.4404) | 1.4404 | ≤0.03 | ≤1.00 | ≤2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 16.5-18.5 | 2.0-2.5 | 10.0-13.0 |
| C35 | 1.0501 | 0.32-0.39 | ≤0.40 | 0.50-0.80 | 0.030 | 0.035 | ≤0.40 | ≤0.10 | - |
| 20MnCr5 | 1.7147 | 0.17-0.22 | ≤0.40 | 1.10-1.40 | 0.035 | 0.035 | 1.00-1.30 | - | - |
| 40CrMnMo7 | 1.2311 | 0.35-0.45 | 0.20-0.40 | 1.30-1.60 | 0.030 | 0.030 | 1.80-2.10 | 0.15-0.25 | - |
| 30CrNiMo8 | 1.6580 | 0.26-0.34 | ≤0.40 | 0.30-0.60 | 0.025 | 0.035 | 1.80-2.20 | 0.30-0.50 | 1.80-2.20 |
| 25CrMo4 | 1.7218 | 0.22-0.29 | ≤0.40 | 0.60-0.90 | 0.025 | 0.035 | 0.90-1.20 | 0.15-0.30 | - |
| GS-45 | 1.0446 | 0.18-0.23 | ≤0.60 | ≤1.50 | 0.030 | 0.030 | - | - | - |
| C60 | 1.0601 | 0.57-0.65 | ≤0.40 | 0.60-0.90 | 0.030 | 0.035 | ≤0.40 | ≤0.10 | - |
| 50CrMo4 | 1.7228 | 0.46-0.54 | ≤0.40 | 0.50-0.80 | 0.025 | 0.035 | 0.90-1.20 | 0.15-0.30 | - |
* Values per EN 10083, EN 10084, EN 10088 standards. Check material certificate for detailed info.
Material Certificate & Technical Support
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Contact UsWhat is the chemical composition of steel?
The chemical composition of steel is the weight percentage of its elements: iron (Fe) + carbon (0.05–2.1% C) plus alloying elements (Mn, Si, Cr, Ni, Mo, V...). Examples: 42CrMo4 = 0.38–0.45% C, 0.90–1.20% Cr, 0.15–0.30% Mo; 16MnCr5 = 0.14–0.19% C, 1.00–1.30% Mn, 0.80–1.10% Cr. Composition determines strength, hardenability, machinability and weldability.
What do the alloying elements do?
Carbon (C) is the main source of hardness and strength; more carbon means lower weldability. Manganese (Mn) raises strength and hardenability and binds sulphur. Chromium (Cr) gives hardenability, wear and corrosion resistance; molybdenum (Mo) adds high-temperature strength and resistance to temper embrittlement; nickel (Ni) adds toughness; vanadium (V) refines grain and improves wear resistance. Sulphur (S) and phosphorus (P) are generally undesirable (S is intentionally high in free-cutting steels). Standards (EN 10083, EN 10084, ASTM) define the composition ranges per grade; the exact analysis is reported in the material certificate (EN 10204 3.1).
Chemical Composition of Common Structural Steels (wt%)
| Grade | C (max) | Mn (max) | Si (max) | P (max) | S (max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S235JR | 0.17 | 1.40 | — | 0.035 | 0.035 |
| S275JR | 0.21 | 1.50 | — | 0.035 | 0.035 |
| S355J2 | 0.20 | 1.60 | 0.55 | 0.025 | 0.025 |
| A36 | 0.26 | — | 0.40 | 0.04 | 0.05 |
| A572 Gr.50 | 0.23 | 1.35 | 0.40 | 0.04 | 0.05 |
| St52-3 | 0.20 | 1.60 | 0.55 | 0.035 | 0.035 |
| C45 | 0.42-0.50 | 0.50-0.80 | 0.40 | 0.045 | 0.045 |
| 42CrMo4 | 0.38-0.45 | 0.60-0.90 | 0.40 | 0.025 | 0.035 |
| 16Mo3 | 0.12-0.20 | 0.40-0.90 | 0.35 | 0.025 | 0.010 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the chemical composition of 42CrMo4?+
0.38–0.45% C, 0.60–0.90% Mn, 0.90–1.20% Cr, 0.15–0.30% Mo (EN 10083-3). The AISI equivalent is 4140.
What is the composition of 16MnCr5?+
0.14–0.19% C, 1.00–1.30% Mn, 0.80–1.10% Cr (EN 10084). It is a case-hardening steel.
How does carbon content affect steel?+
More carbon increases hardness and strength but reduces ductility, toughness and weldability. Up to 0.25% is low, 0.25–0.60% medium, above that high carbon.
How is the chemical analysis verified?+
By spectrometer (OES) analysis; the result is reported in the material certificate (EN 10204 3.1) as heat and product analysis.
Why is carbon content the most important element in structural steel?+
Carbon directly determines strength and hardness (every 0.1% C increases tensile strength by ~70 MPa) but reduces weldability and ductility; structural steels are kept below 0.25% C for this reason.
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