Steel TRIP Steel · supply condition · default condition
Steel TRIP Steel-CR
Properties of the CR condition, compared with the other TRIP Steel tempers.
Standard stocked condition: cold rolled annealed TRIP sheet without metallic coating, for painted/e-coated interior structure and for lab or prototype forming trials.
What is TRIP Steel-CR?
TRIP Steel-CR is TRIP Steel supplied in the CR condition — standard stocked condition: cold rolled annealed TRIP sheet without metallic coating, for painted/e-coated interior structure and for lab or prototype forming trials. TRIP Steel-CR has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi). TRIP Steel-CR has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 72/100, better than 88% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 25%, better than 76% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 45/100, worse than 84% of steel grades
- Poor heat conductor — 30 W/m·K (17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of steel grades
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 83% of steel grades
TRIP Steel-CR properties
Typical room-temperature values for TRIP Steel-CR — 8 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every TRIP Steel temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
TRIP Steel-CR has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), lighter than 87% of steel grades. It melts at 1,450°C (2,642 °F).
Mechanical13
TRIP Steel-CR has a yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 205 GPa (29.7 Msi).
Thermal6
TRIP Steel-CR is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 30 W/m·K (17.3 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 83% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.5 µm/m·K (6.94 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
TRIP Steel-CR has an electrical resistivity of 2.3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of TRIP Steel-CR takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 55% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
TRIP Steel-CR's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 83% of steel grades); weldability good (62/100); formability very good (72/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other TRIP Steel tempers and conditions
TRIP Steel is also supplied in 8 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the TRIP Steel overview.
- CRDefaultStandard stocked condition: cold rolled annealed TRIP sheet without metallic coating, for painted/e-coated interior structure and for lab or prototype forming trials.490 MPa yield · 255 HV
- TRIP980Highest TRIP strength class for anti-intrusion members; expect reduced elongation, higher springback and tighter spot-welding limits.640 MPa yield · 31 HRC
- GalvanizedPick for automotive body-in-white parts needing cathodic corrosion protection; zinc layer applied in the continuous anneal/galvanizing line.500 MPa yield · 252 HV
Working with TRIP Steel-CR
Is TRIP Steel easy to machine?
Rarely machined; if drilling/trimming is needed use rigid setups, carbide or coated carbide, low speed and high feed — the retained austenite transforms and work-hardens the cut surface, and laser or waterjet trimming is usually preferred.
Can TRIP Steel be welded?
Resistance spot welding is standard but needs higher electrode force, pulsed or stepped current and possible post-pulse tempering; high Si/Al and C give hard, notch-sensitive nuggets, and laser or MAG welds show HAZ softening plus loss of TRIP effect.
Can TRIP Steel be formed, bent or molded?
Cold stamp with high-n TRIP behaviour: good stretch and deep draw, but plan for high forming loads, strong springback compensation, generous die radii and hole-expansion/delayed-cracking checks on sheared edges.
What surface finishes work on TRIP Steel?
Supply zinc-coated (GI/GA/EG) or phosphate + e-coat; bare TRIP rusts quickly, and paint-bake cycles (~170 °C/20 min) give a useful bake-hardening yield increase rather than harm.
TRIP Steel 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cstabilizes retained austenite | 0.12 – 0.25 | 0.2 |
| Sisuppresses carbide precipitation during bainitic hold; complicates galvanizing | 0.5 – 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Mnhardenability and austenite stabilization | 1.2 – 2.5 | 1.8 |
| Alpartial Si substitute in galvanizable TRIP grades | 0.02 – 2 | 0.05 |
| PEN 10338 limit; sometimes used as carbide suppressor | ≤ 0.12 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| Nbmicroalloy grain refiner (optional) | ≤ 0.09 | 0.03 |
| Tioptional | ≤ 0.12 | 0.02 |
| Voptional | ≤ 0.2 | — |
| Cr+Mooptional, retards pearlite | ≤ 0.5 | 0.1 |
| Fe | balance | — |
TRIP Steel-CR — frequently asked
What is TRIP Steel-CR used for?
TRIP Steel-CR is typically used for B-pillar reinforcements, crash structures and front rails, bumper beams, cross members, seat frames and rocker and floor reinforcements. In short: crash-grade TRIP sheet.
What is the yield strength of TRIP Steel-CR?
TRIP Steel-CR has a typical yield strength of 490 MPa (71.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 820 MPa (119 ksi) — stronger than 61% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 9 listed tempers.
Is TRIP Steel-CR easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 83% of steel grades). Rarely machined; if drilling/trimming is needed use rigid setups, carbide or coated carbide, low speed and high feed — the retained austenite transforms and work-hardens the cut surface, and laser or waterjet trimming is usually preferred.
Can TRIP Steel-CR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (62/100). Resistance spot welding is standard but needs higher electrode force, pulsed or stepped current and possible post-pulse tempering; high Si/Al and C give hard, notch-sensitive nuggets, and laser or MAG welds show HAZ softening plus loss of TRIP effect.
What surface finishes work on TRIP Steel-CR?
Supply zinc-coated (GI/GA/EG) or phosphate + e-coat; bare TRIP rusts quickly, and paint-bake cycles (~170 °C/20 min) give a useful bake-hardening yield increase rather than harm.
Can TRIP Steel-CR be formed, bent or molded?
Cold stamp with high-n TRIP behaviour: good stretch and deep draw, but plan for high forming loads, strong springback compensation, generous die radii and hole-expansion/delayed-cracking checks on sheared edges.
What is the maximum service temperature of TRIP Steel-CR?
TRIP Steel-CR 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 TRIP Steel-CR and TRIP Steel TRIP980?
CR is the default condition — standard stocked condition: cold rolled annealed TRIP sheet without metallic coating, for painted/e-coated interior structure and for lab or prototype forming trials. TRIP980: highest TRIP strength class for anti-intrusion members; expect reduced elongation, higher springback and tighter spot-welding limits. Yield strength is 490 MPa in CR versus 640 MPa in TRIP980.
Can FabDigit make parts in TRIP Steel-CR?
Yes — TRIP Steel-CR is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 10338 — Hot rolled and cold rolled uncoated products of multiphase steels for cold forming — CEN (2015)
- VDA 239-100 — Sheet steel for cold forming (CR450Y780T-TR etc.) — VDA (2016)
- Advanced High-Strength Steels Application Guidelines v7 — WorldAutoSteel (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- TRIP 690 / TRIP 780 cold rolled steel datasheets — ArcelorMittal / thyssenkrupp Steel (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.