Steel HC420LA · supply condition · default condition
Steel HC420LA-CR
Properties of the CR condition, compared with the other HC420LA tempers.
Standard uncoated cold-rolled coil/sheet condition for stamped structural parts that will be phosphated and e-coated.
What is HC420LA-CR?
HC420LA-CR is HC420LA supplied in the CR condition — standard uncoated cold-rolled coil/sheet condition for stamped structural parts that will be phosphated and e-coated. HC420LA-CR has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi). HC420LA-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
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
HC420LA-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for HC420LA-CR — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every HC420LA temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
HC420LA-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).
Mechanical16
HC420LA-CR has a yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 56% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 18% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
HC420LA-CR is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 44 W/m·K (25.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
HC420LA-CR conducts electricity at 8.5 % IACS, better than 62% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of HC420LA-CR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
HC420LA-CR's machinability is fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability good (55/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other HC420LA tempers and conditions
HC420LA is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the HC420LA overview.
- CRDefaultStandard uncoated cold-rolled coil/sheet condition for stamped structural parts that will be phosphated and e-coated.460 MPa yield · 165 HB
Working with HC420LA-CR
Is HC420LA easy to machine?
Machines like a tough low-carbon steel — sticky chips, so use sharp carbide, positive rake and generous feed; mostly processed by blanking, laser cutting and piercing rather than turning.
Can HC420LA be welded?
Low carbon equivalent gives excellent resistance-spot, MAG and laser weldability with no preheat; on coated grades increase current/force and allow for zinc fume extraction.
Can HC420LA be formed, bent or molded?
Good stretch-forming and bending, but low r-value means poor deep drawing and noticeable springback — compensate die geometry and use generous bend radii (≥1.5×t).
What surface finishes work on HC420LA?
Not anodizable; use zinc-phosphate + cathodic e-coat, powder paint, or buy pre-galvanized (+Z/+ZF/+ZE) coil for bare-cut-edge protection.
HC420LA 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 | ≤ 0.11 | 0.07 |
| Si | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Mn | ≤ 1.6 | 1.2 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Altotal Al, min for deoxidation | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| NbNb+Ti ≤ 0.22 % | ≤ 0.09 | 0.04 |
| TiNb+Ti ≤ 0.22 % | ≤ 0.15 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance | — |
HC420LA-CR — frequently asked
What is HC420LA-CR used for?
HC420LA-CR is typically used for automotive body structure reinforcements, seat frames, suspension brackets, wheel discs, cross members and sill reinforcements and stamped chassis brackets. In short: workhorse HSLA sheet.
What is the yield strength of HC420LA-CR?
HC420LA-CR has a typical yield strength of 460 MPa (66.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 520 MPa (75.4 ksi) — stronger than 56% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is HC420LA-CR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (52/100, better than 52% of steel grades). Machines like a tough low-carbon steel — sticky chips, so use sharp carbide, positive rake and generous feed; mostly processed by blanking, laser cutting and piercing rather than turning.
Can HC420LA-CR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Low carbon equivalent gives excellent resistance-spot, MAG and laser weldability with no preheat; on coated grades increase current/force and allow for zinc fume extraction.
What surface finishes work on HC420LA-CR?
Not anodizable; use zinc-phosphate + cathodic e-coat, powder paint, or buy pre-galvanized (+Z/+ZF/+ZE) coil for bare-cut-edge protection.
Can HC420LA-CR be formed, bent or molded?
Good stretch-forming and bending, but low r-value means poor deep drawing and noticeable springback — compensate die geometry and use generous bend radii (≥1.5×t).
What is the maximum service temperature of HC420LA-CR?
HC420LA-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.
Can FabDigit make parts in HC420LA-CR?
Yes — HC420LA-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)
- VDA 239-100 — Sheet steel for cold forming — VDA (2016)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- HC420LA / HX420LAD cold-rolled HSLA product information — 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.