Steel Grade Comparison Chart
Comprehensive cross-reference guide for steel grades across ASTM, EN, GB, JIS, and other international standards. Find equivalent materials for carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, pressure vessel steel, and more.
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Carbon Structural Steel
General-purpose carbon steel for construction, bridges, and machinery. Common grades with minimum yield strength ranging from 205 MPa to 275 MPa.
| ASTM / AISI | EN 10025-2 | GB/T 700 / GB/T 1591 | JIS G3101 | DIN (Old) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A36 | S235JR / S275JR | Q235B / Q275 | SS400 | St37-2 | 250 | General structures |
| ASTM A283 Gr C | S235JR | Q235B | SS400 | St37-2 | 205 | Low/intermediate strength |
| ASTM A283 Gr D | S275JR | Q275 | SM400A | St44-2 | 230 | Structural plates |
| ASTM A529 Gr 50 | S355JR | Q355B | SM490A | St52-3 | 345 | Building frames |
| ASTM A573 Gr 65 | S355J2 | Q355D | SM490B | — | 355 | Improved toughness |
| ASTM A709 Gr 36 | S235JR | Q235B | SS400 | St37-2 | 250 | Bridge steel (36 ksi) |
High Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) Structural Steel
HSLA steels offer higher strength-to-weight ratios with improved corrosion resistance and weldability. Common yield strength levels: 345–450 MPa.
| ASTM / ASME | EN 10025-2 / EN 10025-6 | GB/T 1591 / GB/T 16270 | JIS G3106 | DIN (Old) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A572 Gr 50 | S355JR / S355J2 | Q345B / Q355B | SM490B | St52-3 | 345 | Bridges, buildings, heavy equipment |
| ASTM A572 Gr 55 | S420N / S420M | Q420B | SM520 | — | 380 | Higher strength structures |
| ASTM A572 Gr 65 | S460Q / S460QL | Q460C / Q460D | SM570 | — | 450 | Cranes, mining machinery |
| ASTM A633 Gr C | S355N / S355NL | Q355E | SM490C | — | 345 | Low-temperature toughness |
| ASTM A656 Gr 80 | S550Q | Q550D | — | — | 550 | Heavy machinery, truck frames |
| ASTM A514 Gr Q / S | S690QL / S690QL1 | Q690D / Q690E | — | — | 690 | Crane booms, high-stress structures |
Pressure Vessel Steel
Steel plates for boilers, pressure vessels, and storage tanks. Designed for medium to elevated temperature service with guaranteed impact toughness.
| ASTM / ASME | EN 10028-2 | GB 713 | JIS G3115 / G3118 | DIN (Old) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Service Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A285 Gr C | P235GH | Q245R | SPV235 | HI | 205 | Low-pressure vessels |
| ASTM A516 Gr 70 | P355GH | Q345R | SPV355 | StE355 | 260 | Moderate/low temp pressure vessels |
| ASTM A537 Cl 1 | P355NH | Q370R | SPV450 | — | 345 | Normalized, moderate temp |
| ASTM A387 Gr 11 Cl 2 | 13CrMo4-5 | 15CrMoR | SCMV 430 | 13CrMo44 | 310 | Elevated temp (Cr‑Mo steel) |
| ASTM A387 Gr 22 Cl 2 | 10CrMo9-10 | 12Cr2Mo1R | SCMV 4 | 10CrMo910 | 310 | High temp, hydrogen service |
Weathering / Corrosion Resistant Steel
Also known as corten steel, these grades develop a stable rust-like appearance for atmospheric corrosion resistance. No painting required.
| ASTM | EN 10025-5 | GB/T 4171 | JIS G3125 | Yield Strength (MPa) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A588 Gr A / B | S355J2W / S355K2W | Q355NHC | SPA‑H | 345 | Bridges, transmission towers |
| ASTM A242 Type 1 | S355J0WP | Q355GNH | SPA‑C | 345 | Architectural structures |
| ASTM A606 Type 4 | S355J2W | 09CuPCrNi‑A | — | 345 | Rolled sheets, building panels |
| ASTM A709 Gr 50W | S355J2W | Q355NHC | SMA490AW | 345 | Weathering bridge steel |
| — | S235J2W | Q235NHC | — | 235 | Light structural applications |
Wear-Resistant / Abrasion Resistant Steel
High-hardness steel plates for mining, earthmoving, and material handling equipment. Hardness ranges from 400 HBW to 500 HBW.
| ASTM / Industry | SSAB Hardox® | GB/T 24186 | JIS / JFE | Hardness (HBW) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR400 | Hardox 400 | NM400 | JFE‑EH400 | 370–430 | Buckets, dump truck bodies |
| AR450 | Hardox 450 | NM450 | JFE‑EH450 | 425–475 | Chutes, crusher liners |
| AR500 | Hardox 500 | NM500 | JFE‑EH500 | 470–530 | Heavy abrasion, wear plates |
| — | Hardox 550 | NM550 | — | 525–575 | Extreme wear applications |
| T‑1 (A514) | Hardox 400 | NM400 | WEL‑TEN | ~400 | Structural + wear resistance |
Stainless Steel (Austenitic & Duplex)
Common stainless steel grades for corrosion-resistant applications in chemical, food processing, marine, and architectural industries.
| ASTM A240 / AISI | EN 10088-2 (Name) | EN 10088-2 (Number) | GB/T 3280 | JIS G4304 | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | X5CrNi18‑10 | 1.4301 | 06Cr19Ni10 | SUS304 | Food equipment, kitchenware |
| 304L | X2CrNi19‑11 | 1.4306 / 1.4307 | 022Cr19Ni10 | SUS304L | Welded structures (low carbon) |
| 316 | X5CrNiMo17‑12‑2 | 1.4401 | 06Cr17Ni12Mo2 | SUS316 | Marine, chemical processing |
| 316L | X2CrNiMo17‑12‑2 | 1.4404 | 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 | SUS316L | Pharmaceutical, welded corrosion resistance |
| 321 | X6CrNiTi18‑10 | 1.4541 | 07Cr18Ni11Ti | SUS321 | High temperature, stabilized |
| 310S | X8CrNi25‑21 | 1.4845 | 06Cr25Ni20 | SUS310S | Furnace parts, heat exchangers |
| 2205 (Duplex) | X2CrNiMoN22‑5‑3 | 1.4462 | 022Cr22Ni5Mo3N | SUS329J4L | Oil & gas, chemical tanks |
Alloy Steel (Quenched & Tempered / Carburizing)
Medium-carbon alloy steels for machinery parts, gears, shafts, and high-strength fasteners. Heat treatable to achieve desired mechanical properties.
| ASTM / AISI / SAE | EN 10083-3 | GB/T 3077 | JIS G4105 / G4106 | DIN | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4130 | 25CrMo4 (1.7218) | 30CrMo | SCM430 | 25CrMo4 | Aircraft tubing, bike frames |
| 4140 | 42CrMo4 (1.7225) | 42CrMo | SCM440 | 42CrMo4 | Gears, shafts, spindles |
| 4145 | 42CrMoS4 (1.7227) | 42CrMo | SCM445 | — | Heavy-duty shafts, drill collars |
| 4340 | 36CrNiMo4 (1.6511) | 40CrNiMoA | SNCM439 | 36CrNiMo4 | Landing gear, heavy forgings |
| 8620 | 20NiCrMo2‑2 (1.6523) | 20CrNiMo | SNCM220 | 21NiCrMo2 | Carburized gears, camshafts |
Line Pipe Steel (API 5L / ISO 3183)
High-strength steel for oil, gas, and water transmission pipelines. Grades indicate minimum yield strength in ksi or MPa.
| API 5L (PSL 1/2) | ISO 3183 / EN 10208-2 | GB/T 9711 | Yield Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength (ksi) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X42 / L290 | L290NB / L290MB | L290 | 290 | 42 | Low-pressure gathering lines |
| X52 / L360 | L360NB / L360QB | L360 | 360 | 52 | Cross-country pipelines |
| X56 / L390 | L390NB / L390QB | L390 | 390 | 56 | Offshore risers |
| X60 / L415 | L415NB / L415QB | L415 | 415 | 60 | High-pressure gas transmission |
| X65 / L450 | L450QB / L450MB | L450 | 450 | 65 | Major oil & gas trunklines |
| X70 / L485 | L485QB / L485MB | L485 | 485 | 70 | High-pressure long-distance pipelines |
| X80 / L555 | L555QB / L555MB | L555 | 555 | 80 | Arctic pipelines, high-strength applications |
Low Temperature & Cryogenic Steel
Steel grades with guaranteed impact toughness at sub-zero temperatures, for LNG storage, cryogenic piping, and arctic structures.
| ASTM / ASME | EN 10028-4 / EN 10216-3 | GB/T 3531 / GB 3531 | JIS G3127 / G3460 | Min. Service Temp (°C) | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A333 Gr 6 | P265NL / 16Mo3 | 16MnDR / 09MnNiDR | STPL 39 | ‑45 °C | LNG piping, low‑temp vessels |
| ASTM A333 Gr 3 | 12Ni14 | 08Ni3DR | STPL 46 | ‑100 °C | Ethylene storage |
| ASTM A333 Gr 8 | X8Ni9 | 06Ni9DR | STPL 690 | ‑195 °C | LNG tanks, cryogenic service |
| ASTM A203 Gr A / B | 11MnNi5‑3 / 13MnNi6‑3 | 15MnNiDR / 12MnNiVR | SL2N26 / SL3N28 | ‑60 °C | Low‑temperature pressure vessels |
| ASTM A353 / A553 Type I | X7Ni9 / X8Ni9 | 06Ni9DR | SL9N60 | ‑195 °C | LNG storage tanks |
How to Use This Comparison Chart
- 1Identify your base standard — Locate your known grade under ASTM, EN, GB, or JIS columns.
- 2Find equivalent grades — Read across the same row to find equivalent materials in other standards.
- 3Check mechanical properties — Verify yield strength and impact requirements match your project specifications.
- 4Confirm with standards — Always refer to the current standard documents (ASTM, EN, GB, JIS) for exact chemical and mechanical requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "equivalent" mean in steel grade comparison?
"Equivalent" means the steel grades have similar chemical composition and mechanical properties, and can often be substituted for general applications. However, equivalents are not identical copies — subtle differences in alloying elements, testing requirements, and impact temperatures exist. Always consult the specific project's governing code and material requisition before substitution.
What is the most common structural steel grade worldwide?
ASTM A36 (USA), S235JR/S275JR (Europe), Q235B (China), and SS400 (Japan) are the most common general-purpose structural steel grades. A36 has a minimum yield strength of 250 MPa, while S275JR has 275 MPa. They are functionally interchangeable for most structural applications.
What is the difference between S355JR and S355J2?
Both are EN 10025-2 structural steels with 355 MPa minimum yield strength. The difference lies in impact toughness: S355JR guarantees 27 J at 20 °C, while S355J2 guarantees 27 J at ‑20 °C. For cold climate applications, S355J2 is preferred.
Is Q345B the same as S355JR?
Q345B and S355JR are very similar low-alloy structural steels with comparable strength levels (~345–355 MPa yield). Q345B is the Chinese standard, S355JR is the European standard. Both are widely used as equivalents to ASTM A572 Gr 50. Chemical composition ranges differ slightly — Q345B has lower max phosphorus and sulfur limits.
What is the ASTM equivalent of 42CrMo4?
42CrMo4 (EN 10083-3, 1.7225) is equivalent to AISI/SAE 4140. The Japanese equivalent is SCM440, and the Chinese equivalent is 42CrMo (GB/T 3077). These grades are essentially interchangeable for most heat-treated machinery parts.
How do I convert API 5L X-grade to ISO 3183 L‑grade?
ISO 3183 uses the same grade designation logic as API 5L but with "L" instead of "X" and yield strength rounded to the nearest 0 or 5 MPa. For example: X52 = L360 (360 MPa), X60 = L415 (415 MPa), X65 = L450 (450 MPa), X70 = L485 (485 MPa).
What is the difference between 304 and 304L stainless steel?
304L has lower carbon content (max 0.03%) compared to 304 (max 0.08%). This reduces carbide precipitation during welding, improving intergranular corrosion resistance in welded structures. 304L corresponds to EN 1.4306/1.4307, while 304 corresponds to EN 1.4301.
What is NM400 steel equivalent to?
NM400 (Chinese standard GB/T 24186) is equivalent to AR400 (ASTM) and Hardox 400 (SSAB). All provide Brinell hardness in the range of 370–430 HBW and are used for wear-resistant applications like buckets, chutes, and dump truck bodies.
