Steel HC340LA · supply condition
Steel HC340LA-CR
Properties of the CR condition, compared with the other HC340LA tempers.
Standard stocked form: cold-rolled uncoated HSLA sheet/coil for stamped structural parts that will be phosphated and e-coated.
What is HC340LA-CR?
HC340LA-CR is HC340LA supplied in the CR condition — standard stocked form: cold-rolled uncoated HSLA sheet/coil for stamped structural parts that will be phosphated and e-coated. HC340LA-CR has a yield strength of 375 MPa (54.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — weaker than 69% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). HC340LA-CR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Readily welded — 88/100, better than 87% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 62/100, better than 78% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 25%, better than 76% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 77% of steel grades
HC340LA-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for HC340LA-CR — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every HC340LA temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
HC340LA-CR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F).
Mechanical13
HC340LA-CR has a yield strength of 375 MPa (54.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — weaker than 69% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
HC340LA-CR is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 46 W/m·K (26.6 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 71% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
HC340LA-CR conducts electricity at 9.5 % IACS, better than 74% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of HC340LA-CR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
HC340LA-CR's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability excellent (88/100); formability good (62/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other HC340LA tempers and conditions
HC340LA is also supplied in 4 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the HC340LA overview.
- HRDefaultChoose for thicker gauges (>3 mm) and chassis/wheel parts where hot-rolled surface and lower cost are acceptable.370 MPa yield · 138 HB
- CRStandard stocked form: cold-rolled uncoated HSLA sheet/coil for stamped structural parts that will be phosphated and e-coated.375 MPa yield · 140 HB
- GalvanizedPick when the stamped part sees road salt or moisture and cannot be fully e-coated; zinc gives sacrificial protection at slightly lower formability.375 MPa yield · 140 HB
Working with HC340LA-CR
Is HC340LA easy to machine?
Machines like low-carbon steel but gummy: sharp tools, positive rake and good chip evacuation; mostly blanked/laser-cut rather than machined.
Can HC340LA be welded?
Excellent — low carbon equivalent suits resistance spot, MAG (ER70S-6) and laser welding with no preheat; keep heat input moderate to preserve HAZ strength.
Can HC340LA be formed, bent or molded?
Cold stamps and roll-forms well, but n and r values are below DC04 — allow larger bend radii, expect noticeable springback and design for ~20 % less stretch than mild steel.
What surface finishes work on HC340LA?
Not anodizable; use hot-dip or electro-galvanizing, zinc-phosphate + cathodic e-coat, or powder paint for corrosion protection.
HC340LA 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 10268 max | ≤ 0.1 | 0.07 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Mn | ≤ 1 | 0.7 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, deoxidation | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Nbmicroalloy | ≤ 0.09 | 0.03 |
| Timicroalloy | ≤ 0.15 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance | — |
HC340LA-CR — frequently asked
What is HC340LA-CR used for?
HC340LA-CR is typically used for automotive body panels, stamped chassis reinforcements, seat frames and seat rails, subframe reinforcement plates, steel wheel discs and body cross members. In short: standard HSLA sheet.
What is the yield strength of HC340LA-CR?
HC340LA-CR has a typical yield strength of 375 MPa (54.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 455 MPa (66 ksi) — weaker than 69% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is HC340LA-CR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Machines like low-carbon steel but gummy: sharp tools, positive rake and good chip evacuation; mostly blanked/laser-cut rather than machined.
Can HC340LA-CR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (88/100). Excellent — low carbon equivalent suits resistance spot, MAG (ER70S-6) and laser welding with no preheat; keep heat input moderate to preserve HAZ strength.
What surface finishes work on HC340LA-CR?
Not anodizable; use hot-dip or electro-galvanizing, zinc-phosphate + cathodic e-coat, or powder paint for corrosion protection.
Can HC340LA-CR be formed, bent or molded?
Cold stamps and roll-forms well, but n and r values are below DC04 — allow larger bend radii, expect noticeable springback and design for ~20 % less stretch than mild steel.
What is the maximum service temperature of HC340LA-CR?
HC340LA-CR is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between HC340LA-HR and HC340LA TMCP?
HR is the default condition — choose for thicker gauges (>3 mm) and chassis/wheel parts where hot-rolled surface and lower cost are acceptable. TMCP: mill route giving finer ferrite grain and better low-temperature toughness/weldability at the same strength class; specify for welded chassis structures. Yield strength is 370 MPa in HR versus 385 MPa in TMCP.
Can FabDigit make parts in HC340LA-CR?
Yes — HC340LA-CR is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 10268 — Cold rolled steel flat products with high yield strength for cold forming — CEN (2013)
- EN 10346 — Continuously hot-dip coated steel flat products for cold forming — CEN (2015)
- EN 10152 — Electrolytically zinc coated cold rolled steel flat products — CEN (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Automotive HSLA cold-rolled and galvanized grades (HC/HX xxxLA) — ArcelorMittal / voestalpine / Baosteel (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.