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Q390NC STRUCTURAL STEEL

Chemical element composition – Chinese grade Q390NC low alloy high strength structural steel 🔍 Q390NC Grade Lookup →

Product Overview

Q390NC is a Chinese grade low-alloy high-strength structural steel conforming to GB/T 1591-2018 standard. It features a normalized or normalized plus tempered delivery condition, offering improved toughness and consistent properties. Grade C provides guaranteed impact toughness at 0°C. With minimum yield strength of 390MPa, it provides higher strength than Q355 series and is widely used in bridges, buildings, pressure vessels, and engineering structures requiring enhanced load-bearing capacity in moderate low-temperature conditions.

Chinese Standard GB/T 1591-2018: Q390NC is a normalized grade with 0°C impact toughness. The "N" denotes normalized delivery condition, offering improved grain refinement compared to as-rolled grades.

International Grade Comparison

China (GB/T 1591)

Q390NC

Impact: 0°C (34J)

Yield: 390MPa

C: ≤0.20%

Si: ≤0.50%

Mn: 0.90-1.70%

P: ≤0.030%

S: ≤0.030%

Nb: 0.01-0.05%

V: 0.01-0.20%

Ti: 0.006-0.05%

Delivery: Normalized / N+T

Europe (EN 10025-3)

S390NC

Impact: 0°C (40J)

Yield: 390MPa

C: ≤0.20%

Si: ≤0.60%

Mn: 1.00-1.70%

P: ≤0.025%

S: ≤0.020%

Nb: ≤0.05%

V: ≤0.12%

Ti: ≤0.05%

USA (ASTM A572)

Gr.50

Impact: optional

Yield: 345MPa (min)

C: ≤0.23%

Si: ≤0.40%

Mn: ≤1.35%

P: ≤0.030%

S: ≤0.030%

Nb: ≤0.05%

V: ≤0.15%

Ti: ≤0.05%

Note: Q390NC (China) is a normalized grade with 0°C impact toughness. It is closely comparable to S390NC (EN 10025-3) in delivery condition and mechanical properties, and offers higher strength than ASTM A572 Gr.50. Always verify specific requirements before substitution.

China Grade Comparison: Q355NC vs Q390NC vs Q420NC

Q355NC

Normalized Grade

Yield: 355MPa

Impact (0°C): 34J

P: ≤0.030%

S: ≤0.030%

Q390NC

Normalized Grade

Yield: 390MPa

Impact (0°C): 34J

P: ≤0.030%

S: ≤0.030%

Q420NC

Normalized Grade

Yield: 420MPa

Impact (0°C): 34J

P: ≤0.030%

S: ≤0.030%

Note: Q355NC, Q390NC, Q420NC are all normalized grades with increasing yield strength. Q390NC delivers 390 MPa yield and 0°C impact (34J).

Key Advantages

Higher Strength

Min yield 390MPa (≤16mm), tensile 490-650MPa.

Normalized Condition

Delivered normalized/N+T for refined grain.

0°C Impact Toughness

Guaranteed 34J at 0°C (longitudinal).

Applications

Building Structures

High-rise buildings, stadiums, industrial frameworks.

Heavy Machinery

Crane booms, mining equipment, heavy vehicles.

Q390NC Chemical Composition (GB/T 1591-2018)

Grade Quality C Si Mn P S
Q390N C ≤0.20 ≤0.50 0.90-1.70 ≤0.030 ≤0.030
Nb V Ti Cr Ni Cu Mo N Als (min)
0.01-0.05 0.01-0.20 0.006-0.05 ≤0.3 ≤0.5 ≤0.4 ≤0.1 ≤0.015 ≥0.015

Notes: V+Nb+Ti ≤0.22%, Mo+Cr ≤0.30%. Steel must contain at least one grain-refining element (Al, Nb, V, Ti).

Q390NC Tensile Properties

Upper yield strength ReH/MPa ≥
Grade ≤16mm 16-40 40-63 63-80 80-100 100-150 150-200 200-250
Q390NC 390 380 360 340 340 320 310 300
Property Thickness Range Value Impact Energy (0°C)
Tensile Strength Rm ≤100mm 490-650 MPa 34J (Longitudinal)
27J (Transverse)
100-200mm 470-620 MPa
200-250mm 470-620 MPa
Elongation A% ≤16mm 20%
16-40mm 20%
40-63mm 20%
63-80mm 19%
80-200mm 19%
200-250mm 19%

Size & Specification

Product Form Thickness (mm) Width (mm) Length (mm)
Plate 3 - 250 1000 - 4000 3000 - 18000
Sheet / Coil 1.5 - 20 900 - 2000 Coil or cut to length

Other sizes available upon request. Custom cutting available.

Customizable Options

We offer comprehensive customization services to meet your specific project requirements:

Custom Dimensions
Non-standard sizes, laser cutting		 Surface Treatments
Shot blasting, priming		 Edge Preparation
Beveling, machining
Custom Heat Treatment
Normalizing, stress relieving		 Special Testing
Third-party inspection		 Custom Marking
Special labeling

Quality & Manufacturing Assurance

Modern Production

Normalized heat treatment for grain refinement.

In-process Inspection

Spectral analysis & 0°C impact testing.

MTC 3.1/3.2

Full documentation & traceability.

Packaging & Logistics

  • Bundled plates with steel straps on wooden skids / coils wrapped waterproof.
  • Marking: grade, size, heat number, weight.
  • FOB, CIF, CFR from main Chinese ports. Lead time 25-35 days.

Request a Quote

Emails go directly to customize@cehesteel.com — reply within 2h.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Q390NC?

Normalized low-alloy steel, yield ≥390MPa, 0°C impact 34J per GB/T 1591-2018.

Difference Q390NC vs Q390C?

Same mechanicals/chem, NC is normalized (fine grain), C is as-rolled.

Micro-alloying elements?

Nb 0.01-0.05%, V 0.01-0.20%, Ti 0.006-0.05%, Als ≥0.015%.

Weldability?

Excellent with low CE and fine grain normalized structure.