S355JR, S355J2, and S355NL are among the most widely used structural steel grades under the EN 10025 standard, particularly in construction, machinery manufacturing, bridges, and offshore engineering.
All three grades share a minimum yield strength of 355 MPa, but they differ significantly in:
- Charpy V-notch impact test requirements
- Low-temperature toughness performance
- Delivery condition and heat treatment
- Suitability for demanding or offshore environments
This guide compares S355JR vs S355J2, S355J2 vs S355NL, and their approximate equivalents in other major standards to help engineers and procurement teams select the correct grade for global projects.
Quick Comparison Table
| Grade | Yield Strength (MPa) | Impact Energy | Test Temperature | Delivery Condition | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S355JR | ≥355 | 27 J | +20°C | As rolled | Standard building structures |
| S355J2 | ≥355 | 27 J | –20°C | As rolled | Bridges, cold-region structures |
| S355NL | ≥355 | 27 J | –50°C | Normalized / Normalized Rolled | Offshore, wind towers, low-temperature equipment |
Equivalent Material Comparison
In international procurement, buyers often need to compare European EN grades with materials specified under ASTM, JIS, or GB standards. The table below lists the closest commonly referenced equivalents, based on similar mechanical performance.
Are They Direct Equivalents?
No. These grades are approximate equivalents, not strict 1:1 substitutions. Final material selection should always be validated against project specifications, design codes, and approval requirements.
Equivalent Standards Table
| EN Grade | ASTM (Approx.) | JIS | GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| S355JR | ASTM A572 Gr 50 | SM490A | Q345B |
| S355J2 | ASTM A572 Gr 50 / A992 | SM490B | Q345D |
| S355NL | ASTM A516 Gr 70* | SM490C | Q345E |
Mechanical Property Differences: S355JR vs S355J2 vs S355NL
Although all three grades meet the same yield strength requirement (≥355 MPa), impact toughness at low temperature is the key differentiating factor:
S355JR
Impact tested at +20°C
Suitable for general structural applications in normal climates
S355J2
Maintains 27 J impact energy at –20°C
Widely used for bridges, outdoor steel structures, and cold-region projects
S355NL
Maintains 27 J impact energy at –50°C
Supplied in normalized or normalized-rolled condition
Ideal for offshore platforms, wind towers, and low-temperature service
For projects exposed to low ambient temperatures, impact toughness is often the first selection criterion, making comparisons such as S355JR vs S355J2 or S355J2 vs S355NL critical during material selection.
Chemical Composition Differences
The carbon content of S355JR, S355J2, and S355NL is broadly similar (typically ≤0.20–0.24%). However:
S355J2 and S355NL have stricter limits on phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S)
S355NL applies fine-grain practice and normalization
Lower impurity levels improve fracture toughness and resistance to brittle failure
Because of these differences, procurement teams should always review chemical composition together with mechanical properties, especially for safety-critical or low-temperature structures.
Applications of S355JR, S355J2, and S355NL Steel
These grades are commonly supplied as plates, coils, round bars, and pipes, serving a wide range of industries:
S355JR – General construction, machinery frames, indoor structures
S355J2 – Bridges, outdoor structures, cold-region infrastructure
S355NL – Offshore wind towers, marine structures, low-temperature equipment
Typical offshore application:
S355NL steel plates are widely used in offshore wind tower fabrication, where stable toughness at sub-zero temperatures is mandatory.
How to Choose Between S355JR, S355J2, and S355NL
Material selection should be based on service temperature, environment, and safety requirements:
Choose S355JR → Cost-effective solution for standard climates and indoor use
Choose S355J2 → Reliable toughness for cold regions and bridge construction
Choose S355NL → Offshore, wind power, and extreme low-temperature conditions
:
The colder and more demanding the service environment, the higher the toughness class required.
What is S355JR equivalent to?
S355JR equivalent grades have very close chemical composition and mechanical properties to that of S355JR steel. Both the S355JR equivalent grades Q345B, A572 Gr 50, ST52-3.
What is material specification S355JR?
Grade S355JR has a minimum yield strength of 355 MPa. The impact energy at a room temperature of 20°C is at least 27 joules.
What is the difference between S275JR and S355JR?
S275JR: Offers a minimum yield strength of 275 MPa for thicknesses up to 16 mm. This makes it suitable for applications where moderate strength is sufficient. S355JR: Provides a higher minimum yield strength of 355 MPa for thicknesses up to 16 mm, making it ideal for projects requiring greater load-bearing capacity.
What material is EN 10025 2 S355JR?
S355JR steel is one mainly of Carbon and low alloy steel, S355JR steel is a type of steel sheet under EN standard which is used to build ship, bridge, belongs to high strength sheet. EN 10025-2 is the Standard Specification Technical Delivery Conditions for Non-Alloy Structural steels.
Is S235JR a mild steel?
S235jr steel is a mild steel, its carbon composition below 2%. So the S235JR Mild steel have very good welding performance. For S235JR, we supply the steel plate, steel round bar, steel hexagonal bar, flat bar, square bar and pipe.