Steel SPHC · supply condition
Steel SPHC-CR
Properties of the CR condition, compared with the other SPHC tempers.
Choose for thin gauges, bright smooth surface and tight thickness tolerance in stampings and enclosures (commercially supplied as SPCC-equivalent).
What is SPHC-CR?
SPHC-CR is SPHC supplied in the CR condition — choose for thin gauges, bright smooth surface and tight thickness tolerance in stampings and enclosures (commercially supplied as SPCC-equivalent). SPHC-CR has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). SPHC-CR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F). HR is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CR is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 38%, better than 98% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 98% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Easy to machine — 68/100, better than 95% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 215 MPa (31.2 ksi), worse than 98% of steel grades
SPHC-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for SPHC-CR — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every SPHC temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
SPHC-CR has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,495°C (2,723 °F).
Mechanical15
SPHC-CR has a yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
SPHC-CR is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SPHC-CR conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SPHC-CR takes about 26 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 64% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
SPHC-CR's machinability is good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other SPHC tempers and conditions
SPHC is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the SPHC overview.
- HRDefaultDefault and cheapest form: structural brackets, weldments, tube stock where surface finish and tight tolerance are unimportant.240 MPa yield · 110 HB
- GalvanizedChoose for outdoor or humid service without painting; zinc gives sacrificial protection but limits welding quality and service temperature.240 MPa yield · 110 HB
- CRChoose for thin gauges, bright smooth surface and tight thickness tolerance in stampings and enclosures (commercially supplied as SPCC-equivalent).215 MPa yield · 105 HB
Working with SPHC-CR
Is SPHC easy to machine?
Free-machining it is not — soft and gummy, so use positive rake, sharp tools, high feed and coolant to avoid built-up edge and burrs; ~68 % of AISI 1212.
Can SPHC be welded?
Excellent for MIG/TIG/spot/resistance welding with ER70S-6 and no preheat; on galvanized material remove or fume-extract the zinc coating.
Can SPHC be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and stamping (bend radius ≈ 1×t for HR, tighter for pickled/CR); allow for coil-to-coil property scatter and mill scale cracking on tight bends.
What surface finishes work on SPHC?
Descale/pickle then phosphate + powder coat, e-coat, paint or zinc/zinc-nickel plate; bare surfaces flash-rust within days and need oiling.
SPHC 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CJIS G3131 SPHC | ≤ 0.15 | 0.08 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.6 | 0.35 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Sinot specified in JIS; typical Al-killed/rimmed practice | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Fe | balance | — |
SPHC-CR — frequently asked
What is SPHC-CR used for?
SPHC-CR is typically used for welded frames, heavy equipment panels, brackets and gussets, structural tube and pipe stock, base and mounting plates and chassis members. In short: standard hot-rolled structural.
What is the yield strength of SPHC-CR?
SPHC-CR has a typical yield strength of 215 MPa (31.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 315 MPa (45.7 ksi) — weaker than 98% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is SPHC-CR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (68/100, better than 95% of steel grades). Free-machining it is not — soft and gummy, so use positive rake, sharp tools, high feed and coolant to avoid built-up edge and burrs; ~68 % of AISI 1212.
Can SPHC-CR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). Excellent for MIG/TIG/spot/resistance welding with ER70S-6 and no preheat; on galvanized material remove or fume-extract the zinc coating.
What surface finishes work on SPHC-CR?
Descale/pickle then phosphate + powder coat, e-coat, paint or zinc/zinc-nickel plate; bare surfaces flash-rust within days and need oiling.
Can SPHC-CR be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold bending and stamping (bend radius ≈ 1×t for HR, tighter for pickled/CR); allow for coil-to-coil property scatter and mill scale cracking on tight bends.
What is the maximum service temperature of SPHC-CR?
SPHC-CR is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between SPHC-HR and SPHC-CR?
HR is the default condition — default and cheapest form: structural brackets, weldments, tube stock where surface finish and tight tolerance are unimportant. CR: choose for thin gauges, bright smooth surface and tight thickness tolerance in stampings and enclosures (commercially supplied as SPCC-equivalent). Yield strength is 240 MPa in HR versus 215 MPa in CR.
Can FabDigit make parts in SPHC-CR?
Yes — SPHC-CR is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- JIS G 3131 — Hot-rolled mild steel plates, sheets and strip — JISC (2018)
- JIS G 3141 — Cold-reduced carbon steel sheets and strip (SPCC) — JISC (2021)
- JIS G 3302 — Hot-dip zinc-coated steel sheets and coils — JISC (2019)
- GB/T 912 / GB/T 3274 — Hot-rolled carbon structural steel sheet and coil — SAC (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Machinery's Handbook (machinability ratings) — Industrial Press (2020)
- worldsteel LCI data for hot-rolled coil — 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.