Steel SPHE · supply condition
Steel SPHE-CR
Properties of the CR condition, compared with the other SPHE tempers.
Choose when thin gauge (<1.6 mm), tight thickness tolerance and a clean bright surface for painting are required.
What is SPHE-CR?
SPHE-CR is SPHE supplied in the CR condition — choose when thin gauge (<1.6 mm), tight thickness tolerance and a clean bright surface for painting are required. SPHE-CR has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 44% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). SPHE-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 — 44%, better than 100% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 96/100, better than 100% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 95/100, better than 99% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 11 % IACS, better than 98% of steel grades
- Conducts heat well — 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 180 MPa (26.1 ksi), worse than 99% of steel grades
SPHE-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for SPHE-CR — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every SPHE temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
SPHE-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).
Mechanical14
SPHE-CR has a yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 44% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
SPHE-CR is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 51 W/m·K (29.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 92% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
SPHE-CR conducts electricity at 11 % IACS, better than 98% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of SPHE-CR takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
SPHE-CR's machinability is good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades); weldability excellent (96/100); formability excellent (95/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other SPHE tempers and conditions
SPHE is also supplied in 2 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the SPHE overview.
- HRDefaultStandard as-supplied JIS G 3131 SPHE coil/sheet, 1.2–14 mm, for deep-drawn stampings and welded structures.210 MPa yield · 95 HB
- GalvanizedChoose for outdoor or humid-service stampings needing sacrificial zinc protection without painting.220 MPa yield · 95 HB
- CRChoose when thin gauge (<1.6 mm), tight thickness tolerance and a clean bright surface for painting are required.180 MPa yield · 90 HB
Working with SPHE-CR
Is SPHE easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and burrs; drilling and punching are easy.
Can SPHE be welded?
Excellent for RSW, MIG, TIG, laser and projection welding with no preheat (CE ≈ 0.10–0.15); remove zinc coating fumes/ventilate on galvanized material.
Can SPHE be formed, bent or molded?
Deep-drawing grade: high n and r values allow multi-stage draws, tight-radius bends and hydroforming; guard against stretcher strains by skin-pass or timely forming.
What surface finishes work on SPHE?
Pickle and oil for storage; phosphate + e-coat, powder coat, zinc plating or hot-dip galvanizing for service — no anodizing.
SPHE 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cladle analysis, JIS G 3131 SPHE | ≤ 0.1 | 0.05 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.5 | 0.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.04 | 0.01 |
| Alacid-soluble Al, killed steel practice for deep drawing | ≥ 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Fe | balance | — |
SPHE-CR — frequently asked
What is SPHE-CR used for?
SPHE-CR is typically used for automotive structural stampings, wheel discs and spokes, fuel tanks, compressor shells, deep-drawn enclosures and drawn truck panels. In short: hot-rolled commercial sheet.
What is the yield strength of SPHE-CR?
SPHE-CR has a typical yield strength of 180 MPa (26.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 300 MPa (43.5 ksi) — weaker than 99% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is SPHE-CR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, better than 75% of steel grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tooling, high speed and generous coolant to avoid built-up edge and burrs; drilling and punching are easy.
Can SPHE-CR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (96/100). Excellent for RSW, MIG, TIG, laser and projection welding with no preheat (CE ≈ 0.10–0.15); remove zinc coating fumes/ventilate on galvanized material.
What surface finishes work on SPHE-CR?
Pickle and oil for storage; phosphate + e-coat, powder coat, zinc plating or hot-dip galvanizing for service — no anodizing.
Can SPHE-CR be formed, bent or molded?
Deep-drawing grade: high n and r values allow multi-stage draws, tight-radius bends and hydroforming; guard against stretcher strains by skin-pass or timely forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of SPHE-CR?
SPHE-CR is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between SPHE-HR and SPHE-CR?
HR is the default condition — standard as-supplied JIS G 3131 SPHE coil/sheet, 1.2–14 mm, for deep-drawn stampings and welded structures. CR: choose when thin gauge (<1.6 mm), tight thickness tolerance and a clean bright surface for painting are required. Yield strength is 210 MPa in HR versus 180 MPa in CR.
Can FabDigit make parts in SPHE-CR?
Yes — SPHE-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 — JSA (2018)
- JIS G 3141 — Cold-reduced carbon steel sheets and strip — JSA (2021)
- GB/T 3274 / GB/T 5213 ( Q195/DC03 ) — SAC (2017)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.