Steel CRS · supply condition · default condition
Steel CRS-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other CRS tempers.
Cheapest form for weldments, thicker plate and parts that will be painted or machined all over.
What is CRS-HR?
CRS-HR is CRS supplied in the HR condition — cheapest form for weldments, thicker plate and parts that will be painted or machined all over. CRS-HR has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). CRS-HR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Advantages
- High electrical conductivity — 12 % IACS, better than 100% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 32%, better than 95% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 78/100, better than 91% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 35/100, worse than 99% of steel grades
- Low strength — 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), worse than 94% of steel grades
CRS-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for CRS-HR — 14 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every CRS temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
CRS-HR has a density of 7.87 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 91% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical16
CRS-HR has a yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
CRS-HR is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.2 µm/m·K (6.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
CRS-HR conducts electricity at 12 % IACS, better than 100% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of CRS-HR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
CRS-HR's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability very good (78/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other CRS tempers and conditions
CRS is also supplied in 9 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the CRS overview.
- HRDefaultCheapest form for weldments, thicker plate and parts that will be painted or machined all over.250 MPa yield · 110 HB
- CR-FHUse for flat springy panels, roll-formed sections and slit strip where strength beats formability.560 MPa yield · 180 HB
- CarburizedPick when a cheap low-carbon part needs a wear-resistant surface over a tough, ductile core.420 MPa yield · 60 HRC
- CDBar-form equivalent of CRS: use for shafts, pins and machined parts needing straightness and a bright finish.370 MPa yield · 130 HB
- HRPOChoose when you want hot-rolled economy but a clean, scale-free surface ready to weld, form or paint.245 MPa yield · 105 HB
- GalvanizedUse for outdoor or humid-environment sheet metal where a sacrificial zinc layer replaces paint.240 MPa yield · 100 HB
- GAPick when a galvanized part must be painted or spot-welded: the matte Zn-Fe coating takes paint far better than spangled GI.235 MPa yield · 52 HRB
- CRDefault stock: smooth matte grey sheet with tight thickness tolerance for stamped brackets, enclosures and painted parts.220 MPa yield · 95 HB
- AnnealedUse dead-soft annealed stock for the most severe bending, spinning or hand-forming work.180 MPa yield · 86 HB
- CR-DDSPick when the part needs severe stamping or deep draws without splitting or orange-peel.170 MPa yield · 85 HB
Working with CRS-HR
Is CRS easy to machine?
Machines easily but gummy — use positive-rake sharp tooling, high speed and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge and burrs; annealed stock gives poorer finish than cold drawn.
Can CRS be welded?
Excellent by MIG/TIG/spot/stick with ER70S-6 or E7018, no preheat or PWHT for thin sheet; grind mill scale on HR and expect zinc fume/porosity on galvanized.
Can CRS be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — CS grade handles most bends and stampings, DDS/IF grades for deep draws; minimum bend radius roughly 0.5–1× thickness across the rolling direction.
What surface finishes work on CRS?
Must be protected: zinc phosphate + powder/e-coat, zinc or electroless nickel plating, or oil for storage; not anodizable, and bare surfaces flash-rust within hours in humid air.
CRS chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A1008 CS Type B; ≤0.15 for some CS types | ≤ 0.1 | 0.06 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| SiAl-killed/IF grades lower | ≤ 0.1 | 0.03 |
| Alaluminium-killed deoxidation | 0.02 – 0.07 | 0.04 |
| Fe | balance | — |
CRS-HR — frequently asked
What is CRS-HR used for?
CRS-HR is typically used for stamped enclosures, brackets and furniture frames. In short: standard cold-rolled sheet.
What is the yield strength of CRS-HR?
CRS-HR has a typical yield strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) and a tensile strength of 365 MPa (52.9 ksi) — weaker than 94% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 10 listed tempers.
Is CRS-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades). Machines easily but gummy — use positive-rake sharp tooling, high speed and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge and burrs; annealed stock gives poorer finish than cold drawn.
Can CRS-HR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent by MIG/TIG/spot/stick with ER70S-6 or E7018, no preheat or PWHT for thin sheet; grind mill scale on HR and expect zinc fume/porosity on galvanized.
What surface finishes work on CRS-HR?
Must be protected: zinc phosphate + powder/e-coat, zinc or electroless nickel plating, or oil for storage; not anodizable, and bare surfaces flash-rust within hours in humid air.
Can CRS-HR be formed, bent or molded?
Very good cold formability — CS grade handles most bends and stampings, DDS/IF grades for deep draws; minimum bend radius roughly 0.5–1× thickness across the rolling direction.
What is the maximum service temperature of CRS-HR?
CRS-HR is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between CRS-HR and CRS CR-FH?
HR is the default condition — cheapest form for weldments, thicker plate and parts that will be painted or machined all over. CR-FH: use for flat springy panels, roll-formed sections and slit strip where strength beats formability. Yield strength is 250 MPa in HR versus 560 MPa in CR-FH.
Can FabDigit make parts in CRS-HR?
Yes — CRS-HR is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- ASTM A1008/A1008M — Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet — ASTM International (2021)
- ASTM A1011/A1011M — Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet and Strip — ASTM International (2018)
- ASTM A653/A653M — Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) and Zinc-Iron Alloy-Coated Sheet — ASTM International (2020)
- GB/T 5213 / GB/T 700 Q235B (2019)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. (machinability ratings) — Industrial Press (2020)
- worldsteel LCI data for steel products — World Steel Association (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.