Steel Q195 · supply condition · default condition
Steel Q195-CR
Properties of the CR condition, compared with the other Q195 tempers.
Default stocked condition: bright, tight-tolerance sheet/strip for stampings, tubing and enclosures needing good draw performance.
What is Q195-CR?
Q195-CR is Q195 supplied in the CR condition — default stocked condition: bright, tight-tolerance sheet/strip for stampings, tubing and enclosures needing good draw performance. Q195-CR has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 36% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi). Q195-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 — 96/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 93/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 36%, better than 97% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 215 MPa (31.2 ksi), worse than 98% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 77% of steel grades
Q195-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for Q195-CR — 13 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Q195 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
Q195-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).
Mechanical14
Q195-CR has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 36% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
Thermal6
Q195-CR is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 11.9 µm/m·K (6.61 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
Q195-CR conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Q195-CR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 22%.
Manufacturability7
Q195-CR's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability excellent (96/100); formability excellent (93/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other Q195 tempers and conditions
Q195 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Q195 overview.
- CRDefaultDefault stocked condition: bright, tight-tolerance sheet/strip for stampings, tubing and enclosures needing good draw performance.215 MPa yield · 98 HB
- CR-FHPick when high strength and stiffness in thin gauge matter more than bending — e.g. hardware, blades of low duty, substrate for galvanizing/coating lines.520 MPa yield · 170 HB
- GIPick for outdoor or humid-service sheet, ducting and galvanized welded pipe where the zinc coating replaces painting.240 MPa yield · 100 HB
- HRPick for welded pipe, structural sections and low-cost weldments where surface finish and thickness tolerance are not critical.230 MPa yield · 105 HB
Working with Q195-CR
Is Q195 easy to machine?
Very soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge and stringy chips; not a free-cutting grade.
Can Q195 be welded?
Excellent by any process (MIG/MAG, TIG, SMAW, spot, HF induction for pipe) with ER70S-x/E43xx consumables; no preheat or PWHT needed at normal thicknesses.
Can Q195 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold rolled annealed condition bends, roll-forms and deep-draws readily; full-hard coil must be annealed or bent only along the transverse direction.
What surface finishes work on Q195?
Requires protection: paint over phosphate, zinc electroplate, hot-dip galvanizing or oiling; cannot be anodized and will flash-rust after polishing.
Q195 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CGB/T 700-2006 Q195 | 0.06 – 0.12 | 0.09 |
| Si | ≤ 0.3 | 0.15 |
| Mn | 0.25 – 0.5 | 0.4 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Fe | balance | — |
Q195-CR — frequently asked
What is Q195-CR used for?
Q195-CR is typically used for welded brackets and frames, cold-rolled sheet enclosures, ERW tube and conduit, wire products and mesh, stamped clips, washers and shims and furniture and shelving frames. In short: soft Chinese low-carbon sheet.
What is the yield strength of Q195-CR?
Q195-CR has a typical yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 330 MPa (47.9 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is Q195-CR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades). Very soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and flood coolant to avoid built-up edge and stringy chips; not a free-cutting grade.
Can Q195-CR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (96/100). Excellent by any process (MIG/MAG, TIG, SMAW, spot, HF induction for pipe) with ER70S-x/E43xx consumables; no preheat or PWHT needed at normal thicknesses.
What surface finishes work on Q195-CR?
Requires protection: paint over phosphate, zinc electroplate, hot-dip galvanizing or oiling; cannot be anodized and will flash-rust after polishing.
Can Q195-CR be formed, bent or molded?
Cold rolled annealed condition bends, roll-forms and deep-draws readily; full-hard coil must be annealed or bent only along the transverse direction.
What is the maximum service temperature of Q195-CR?
Q195-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 Q195-CR and Q195 CR-FH?
CR is the default condition — default stocked condition: bright, tight-tolerance sheet/strip for stampings, tubing and enclosures needing good draw performance. CR-FH: pick when high strength and stiffness in thin gauge matter more than bending — e.g. hardware, blades of low duty, substrate for galvanizing/coating lines. Yield strength is 215 MPa in CR versus 520 MPa in CR-FH.
Can FabDigit make parts in Q195-CR?
Yes — Q195-CR 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
- ASM Handbook Vol.1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook, 31st ed. (machinability ratings) — Industrial Press (2020)
- worldsteel LCI methodology report (steel embodied energy/CO2) — 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.