Steel E355 · finish state
Steel E355-SRB
Properties of the SRB condition, compared with the other E355 tempers.
Ready-to-use hydraulic cylinder barrel: ID machined and roller burnished to H8/H9 with Ra 0.2–0.4 µm; mechanicals follow the underlying +SR/+N tube.
What is E355-SRB?
E355-SRB is E355 supplied in the SRB condition — ready-to-use hydraulic cylinder barrel: ID machined and roller burnished to H8/H9 with Ra 0.2–0.4 µm; mechanicals follow the underlying +SR/+N tube. E355-SRB has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). E355-SRB has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F). CD is the default condition FabDigit quotes; SRB is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 75/100, better than 94% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low fracture toughness — 60 MPa·√m (54.6 ksi·√in), worse than 79% of steel grades
- Limited ductility — 14%, worse than 75% of steel grades
E355-SRB properties
Typical room-temperature values for E355-SRB — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every E355 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
E355-SRB has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,460°C (2,660 °F).
Mechanical16
E355-SRB has a yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 14% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
E355-SRB is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
E355-SRB conducts electricity at 8.6 % IACS, better than 66% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of E355-SRB takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability6
E355-SRB's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability fair (40/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other E355 tempers and conditions
E355 is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the E355 overview.
- CDDefaultDefault stocked condition: cold-drawn precision tube/bar with tight tolerance and good surface, used for hydraulic cylinders and structural tubing.490 MPa yield · 190 HB
- CHighest strength/hardness and best surface, but low ductility and high residual stress — avoid where machining-induced distortion matters.620 MPa yield · 210 HB
- SRStandard hydraulic-cylinder tube condition: cold-drawn accuracy with residual stress removed so the tube stays straight after machining or honing.490 MPa yield · 185 HB
- SRBReady-to-use hydraulic cylinder barrel: ID machined and roller burnished to H8/H9 with Ra 0.2–0.4 µm; mechanicals follow the underlying +SR/+N tube.480 MPa yield · 185 HB
- LCPrecision cold-drawn dimensions with retained ductility — for tubes that will still be bent or flanged after drawing.400 MPa yield · 165 HB
- HRCheapest form for heavy-wall structural tube and bar where dimensional precision and surface finish are not critical.380 MPa yield · 160 HB
- NPick when uniform fine-grain structure, guaranteed 355 MPa yield and -20 °C impact toughness are required (pressure and structural service).380 MPa yield · 155 HB
- ASoftest condition — choose for heavy cold forming, bending, flaring or deep upsetting of the tube/bar before final heat treatment.290 MPa yield · 135 HB
Working with E355-SRB
Is E355 easy to machine?
Machines like a 0.2 %C C-Mn steel (~60 % of 1212); cold-drawn +C/+SR chips break better than annealed stock, use carbide at 150–220 m/min with coolant and expect some spring-back/distortion when heavy stock is removed from +C tube.
Can E355 be welded?
Readily welded by MAG/SAW/TIG with G3Si1/ER70S-6 class filler; CEV ≈ 0.40–0.45 so preheat 100–150 °C for wall thicknesses above ~30 mm or in restrained joints, and re-normalize if full toughness is needed.
Can E355 be formed, bent or molded?
+A and +LC bend, flare and expand well (bend radius ≥ 2×D); +C hard-drawn tube has only 4–6 % elongation and should be stress relieved or annealed before cold forming; hot forming at 850–1050 °C followed by normalizing.
What surface finishes work on E355?
No inherent corrosion resistance — specify phosphate + oil, zinc plating, paint or hard-chrome/CrN on piston rods; ID of cylinder tube is roller-burnished or honed to Ra 0.2–0.4 µm; it takes nitriding and induction hardening only modestly due to low carbon.
E355 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ccast analysis, EN 10305-1 | ≤ 0.22 | 0.18 |
| Si | ≤ 0.55 | 0.25 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.6 | 1.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al for fine-grain/killed practice, when specified | ≥ 0.02 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance | — |
E355-SRB — frequently asked
What is E355-SRB used for?
E355-SRB is typically used for hydraulic cylinder tube, piston and hydraulic rods, crane jibs and telescopic booms, industrial structures and frames, pneumatic cylinder barrels and roller and axle tube. In short: precision hydraulic tube.
What is the yield strength of E355-SRB?
E355-SRB has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — stronger than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is E355-SRB easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like a 0.2 %C C-Mn steel (~60 % of 1212); cold-drawn +C/+SR chips break better than annealed stock, use carbide at 150–220 m/min with coolant and expect some spring-back/distortion when heavy stock is removed from +C tube.
Can E355-SRB be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Readily welded by MAG/SAW/TIG with G3Si1/ER70S-6 class filler; CEV ≈ 0.40–0.45 so preheat 100–150 °C for wall thicknesses above ~30 mm or in restrained joints, and re-normalize if full toughness is needed.
What surface finishes work on E355-SRB?
No inherent corrosion resistance — specify phosphate + oil, zinc plating, paint or hard-chrome/CrN on piston rods; ID of cylinder tube is roller-burnished or honed to Ra 0.2–0.4 µm; it takes nitriding and induction hardening only modestly due to low carbon.
Can E355-SRB be formed, bent or molded?
+A and +LC bend, flare and expand well (bend radius ≥ 2×D); +C hard-drawn tube has only 4–6 % elongation and should be stress relieved or annealed before cold forming; hot forming at 850–1050 °C followed by normalizing.
What is the maximum service temperature of E355-SRB?
E355-SRB is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between E355-CD and E355-A?
CD is the default condition — default stocked condition: cold-drawn precision tube/bar with tight tolerance and good surface, used for hydraulic cylinders and structural tubing. A: softest condition — choose for heavy cold forming, bending, flaring or deep upsetting of the tube/bar before final heat treatment. Yield strength is 490 MPa in CD versus 290 MPa in A.
Can FabDigit make parts in E355-SRB?
Yes — E355-SRB 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
- EN 10305-1 Steel tubes for precision applications — Seamless cold drawn tubes — CEN (2016)
- EN 10297-1 Seamless circular steel tubes for mechanical and general engineering purposes — CEN (2003)
- EN 10027-2 Designation systems for steels — Numerical system (1.0580) — CEN (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. (machinability and hardness conversion) — Industrial Press (2020)
- Hydraulic cylinder tube (E355 +SR / SRB) product data — European seamless tube producers (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.