These high strength steels are characterised by their low content of both carbon and micro-alloying elements. This gives HSLA steels outstanding functional properties, such as weldability and coatability. The hardening achieved by controlled internal purity and fine grain size structure ensures excellent mechanical strength. The grades available are in compliance with EN 10268:2006+A1:2013 and are obtained after either batch or continuous annealing.
Steel grades with yield strength ≥ 460 MPa are only produced by the continuous annealing process.

They combine improved weldability with good formability. The narrow variation margins for their mechanical properties make it easy to shape the steel (presses or automated lines). They also have good fatigue and impact resistance.

They are particularly suitable for structural parts that do not require severe forming (profiling, bending or light drawing): automotive structures and reinforcements, industrial shelving systems, radiators, racking systems, furniture, mechanical engineering applications etc.

The deep drawing performance of the HC260LA AM FCE grade is equivalent to that of mild steel. Drawability decreases as the yield strength increases.

Forming limit curves can be used to define the maximum strains not to be exceeded when forming steel by various methods, so as to avoid the risk of incipient necking. These curves are available on request.

Please contact us for other forming data on HSLA products for particular sheet thicknesses.

HSLA AM FCE steel grades have good weldability in all welding processes.

Based on many years’ practical experience in arc and resistance spot welding of its products, ArcelorMittal can provide valuable technical assistance in defining the welding parameters for all products in the HSLA range.

Fatigue resistance is generally expressed as an endurance limit, corresponding to the maximum stress resisted for a given number of cycles before failure. The table below gives some examples of 5 million cycle endurance limits under fluctuating tension with a stress ratio Rs = 0.1.

A complete database of fatigue resistance data on this range of common steels is available on request.

Surface cleanliness

If improved surface cleanliness is required, ArcelorMittal also offers this range of steel grades with compulsory use of continuous annealing or hydrogen annealing.