Q235NH Weathering Steel - Chemical Composition & Mechanical Properties

Technical specifications of Q235NH, a Chinese grade weathering steel for outdoor and industrial applications.

Q235NH Chemical Composition

Below is the chemical composition (quality fraction, in %) of Q235NH weathering steel, in accordance with relevant Chinese standards:

Grade Chemical Composition (Quality Fraction) / %
C Si Mn P S Cu Cr Ni Others
Q235NH ≤0.13 0.1 ~ 0.4 0.2 ~ 0.6 ≤0.03 ≤0.03 0.25 ~ 0.55 0.4 ~ 0.8 ≤0.65 a, b

Notes on Chemical Composition:

  • ᵃ To improve the properties of steel, one or more trace alloying elements may be added: Nb 0.015%~0.060%, V 0.02%~0.12%, Ti 0.02%~0.10%, Alt ≥0.020%. When the above elements are used in combination, at least one element should be ensured to meet the lower limit of the above chemical composition.
  • ᵇ The following alloying elements can be added: Mo≤0.30%, Zr≤0.15%.
  • ᶜ The total amount of the three alloying elements Nb, V, and Ti added should not exceed 0.22%.
  • ᵈ Through negotiation between the supplier and the buyer, the sulfur content may not exceed 0.008%.
  • ᵉ Through negotiation between the supply and demand parties, a lower limit for Ni content may not be required.
  • ᶠ Through negotiation between the supply and demand parties, the content of C may not exceed 0.15%.

Smelting & Delivery Status

  • 7.1.2 The permissible deviations in the chemical composition of finished steel products shall comply with the provisions of GB/T 222.
  • 7.2 Smelting methods: The steel is smelted in a converter or electric furnace and is killed steel. Unless otherwise specified by the buyer, the smelting method shall be selected by the supplier.
  • 7.3 Delivery status: Hot-rolled steel is delivered in hot-rolled, controlled-rolled, or normalized condition. Steel grades Q460NH, Q500NH, and Q550NH can be delivered in quenched and tempered condition. Cold-rolled steel is generally delivered in annealed condition.

Q235NH Mechanical Properties & Processing Properties

Mechanical properties (tensile test and bending test) of Q235NH weathering steel, with thickness-based specifications:

Grade Tensile Test ᵃ 180 °Bending test mandrel diameter
Lower yield strength ReL ≥ (MPa) Tensile Strength Rm (MPa) Elongation after fracture A/% ≥
≤16mm >16~40mm >40~60mm >60mm ≤16mm >16~40mm >40~60mm >60mm ≤6mm >6~16mm >16mm
Q235NH 235 225 215 215 360 ~ 510 25 25 24 23 a a 2a

Note: 'a' represents the steel thickness.
When a yield plateau is not evident, Rp0.2 may be used.