The steel grade of H-beam is selected according to mechanical properties, chemical composition and application requirements. The naming and specific requirements of steel grades vary under the standard systems of different countries or regions.
1. Chinese Standard (GB/T)
The commonly used H-beam steel grades in China mainly refer to GB/T 11263-2017 (hot-rolled H-beam and split T-beam standards) and GB/T 1591-2018 (low-alloy high-strength structural steel).
Q235B h beam: ordinary carbon structural steel, yield strength ≥235 MPa, used in general building structures, light factories and other non-seismic or low-load scenarios.
Q355B/Q355C/Q355D structural steel beam: low-alloy high-strength steel, yield strength ≥355 MPa (equivalent to the old standard Q345). The difference between B/C/D is the impact toughness temperature (0℃, -20℃, -40℃), and grade D is suitable for low temperature environments (such as the north or bridges). Widely used in high-rise buildings, long-span bridges, heavy-duty factories, etc.
Q390, Q420, Q460: higher strength low-alloy steel, used for special heavy structures or earthquake-resistant design.
2. Common international standards
American standard (ASTM A36/A572)
A36 h type steel beam: yield strength ≥ 250 MPa, general carbon steel, similar to Q235.
A572 Gr.50 h profile steel: yield strength ≥ 345 MPa, equivalent to Q355, but with higher tensile strength.
European standard (EN 10025)
S235JR/S355JR steel h beam: similar to Q235B/Q355B, "JR" indicates room temperature impact performance.
S355J2/K2 h shaped beam: better low temperature toughness (-20℃/-40℃).
Japanese standard (JIS G3101/G3106)
SS400 h section steel: ordinary structural steel, similar to Q235.
SM490 h shaped steel: high strength steel, similar to Q355.
3. Steel grade selection factors
Load requirements: high loads or dynamic loads (such as bridges) require high strength steel (such as Q355 and above).
Ambient temperature: high toughness grade (such as Q355D or A572 Gr.50) should be selected for low temperature environments.
Welding performance: low alloy steel (such as Q355) needs to match the corresponding welding materials and processes.
Anti-corrosion requirements: weathering steel (such as Q355NH) can be selected in coastal or humid environments.
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