Steel HC380LA · supply condition · default condition
Steel HC380LA-CR
Properties of the CR condition, compared with the other HC380LA tempers.
Default stocked condition: cold-rolled, skin-passed micro-alloyed sheet for cold-formed structural parts that will be painted or e-coated.
What is HC380LA-CR?
HC380LA-CR is HC380LA supplied in the CR condition — default stocked condition: cold-rolled, skin-passed micro-alloyed sheet for cold-formed structural parts that will be painted or e-coated. HC380LA-CR has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). HC380LA-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).
Advantages
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 83% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 62/100, better than 78% of steel grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 77% of steel grades
HC380LA-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for HC380LA-CR — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every HC380LA temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
HC380LA-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
HC380LA-CR has a yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 23% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
HC380LA-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
HC380LA-CR conducts electricity at 8.6 % IACS, better than 66% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of HC380LA-CR takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
HC380LA-CR's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability good (62/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other HC380LA tempers and conditions
HC380LA is also supplied in 2 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the HC380LA overview.
- CRDefaultDefault stocked condition: cold-rolled, skin-passed micro-alloyed sheet for cold-formed structural parts that will be painted or e-coated.420 MPa yield · 150 HB
Working with HC380LA-CR
Is HC380LA easy to machine?
Machines like a low-carbon HSLA steel — sticky, gummy chips; use sharp coated carbide, positive rake and generous feed to avoid built-up edge; deburr punched edges.
Can HC380LA be welded?
Low carbon equivalent gives good resistance spot, MAG and laser weldability; keep heat input moderate to avoid HAZ softening, and use higher electrode force / current than for mild steel.
Can HC380LA be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form with generous radii (≥2t bends) and 15–25 % more press force than DC04; compensate for higher springback and plan for edge-crack sensitivity in stretch flanges.
What surface finishes work on HC380LA?
Bare sheet must be protected — zinc-phosphate + cathodic e-coat, powder paint, or use the +ZE / +Z coated variants; not anodizable.
HC380LA 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cmax per EN 10268 | ≤ 0.11 | 0.07 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.6 | 1 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, min | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Nbmicro-alloying | ≤ 0.09 | 0.03 |
| Timicro-alloying | ≤ 0.15 | 0.02 |
| Vmicro-alloying | ≤ 0.2 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance | — |
HC380LA-CR — frequently asked
What is HC380LA-CR used for?
HC380LA-CR is typically used for automotive body-in-white structural panels, stamped reinforcement plates, seat frames and seat structural brackets, chassis and suspension stampings, cross members and sill reinforcements and lightweight bracketry for commercial vehicles. In short: workhorse HSLA sheet.
What is the yield strength of HC380LA-CR?
HC380LA-CR has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) — weaker than 53% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is HC380LA-CR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades). Machines like a low-carbon HSLA steel — sticky, gummy chips; use sharp coated carbide, positive rake and generous feed to avoid built-up edge; deburr punched edges.
Can HC380LA-CR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Low carbon equivalent gives good resistance spot, MAG and laser weldability; keep heat input moderate to avoid HAZ softening, and use higher electrode force / current than for mild steel.
What surface finishes work on HC380LA-CR?
Bare sheet must be protected — zinc-phosphate + cathodic e-coat, powder paint, or use the +ZE / +Z coated variants; not anodizable.
Can HC380LA-CR be formed, bent or molded?
Cold-form with generous radii (≥2t bends) and 15–25 % more press force than DC04; compensate for higher springback and plan for edge-crack sensitivity in stretch flanges.
What is the maximum service temperature of HC380LA-CR?
HC380LA-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 HC380LA-CR and HC380LA-ZE?
CR is the default condition — default stocked condition: cold-rolled, skin-passed micro-alloyed sheet for cold-formed structural parts that will be painted or e-coated. ZE: pick when a thin, paint-friendly zinc layer with unchanged sheet dimensions and Class-A surface is needed (visible body panels, brackets). Yield strength is 420 MPa in CR versus 420 MPa in ZE.
Can FabDigit make parts in HC380LA-CR?
Yes — HC380LA-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 (2006)
- 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)
- Cold-rolled micro-alloyed HSLA sheet product data (HC/HX 380LA class) — European flat-steel producers (2022)
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.