Steel Q195 · finish state
Steel Q195-GI
Properties of the GI condition, compared with the other Q195 tempers.
Pick for outdoor or humid-service sheet, ducting and galvanized welded pipe where the zinc coating replaces painting.
What is Q195-GI?
Q195-GI is Q195 supplied in the GI condition — pick for outdoor or humid-service sheet, ducting and galvanized welded pipe where the zinc coating replaces painting. Q195-GI has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi). Q195-GI 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). CR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; GI is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 35/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 85/100, better than 96% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 30%, better than 92% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 240 MPa (34.8 ksi), worse than 96% of steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
Q195-GI properties
Typical room-temperature values for Q195-GI — 9 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-GI 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-GI has a yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 30% and the elastic modulus is 206 GPa (29.9 Msi).
Thermal6
Q195-GI is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °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-GI conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), better than 97% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Q195-GI 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-GI's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability excellent (85/100).
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-GI
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-GI — frequently asked
What is Q195-GI used for?
Q195-GI 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-GI?
Q195-GI has a typical yield strength of 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) and a tensile strength of 340 MPa (49.3 ksi) — weaker than 96% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is Q195-GI easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% 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-GI be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). 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-GI?
Requires protection: paint over phosphate, zinc electroplate, hot-dip galvanizing or oiling; cannot be anodized and will flash-rust after polishing.
Can Q195-GI 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-GI?
Q195-GI is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °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-GI?
Yes — Q195-GI 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.