S355NL vs Q355B
These two grades are listed as equivalents of each other: their chemistry windows overlap and they serve the same applications. They are not always identical — check the differences below before substituting, especially in certified designs.
S355NL
Structural & HSLA Steel
S355NL is the low-temperature grade of EN 10025-3 normalized fine-grain structural steels. It matches S355N in strength (yield ≥355 MPa, tensile 470–630 MPa) but guarantees Charpy toughness at −50 °C instead of −20 °C, with tighter P and S limits — the standard European choice for cold-climate and offshore structures.
Standards: DIN 1.0546 (EN 10025-3) · AISI A572 Gr.50 (near) · GB Q355E (near)
Q355B
Structural & HSLA Steel
Q355B is the current GB/T 1591 designation that replaced Q345B in the 2018 revision, with the yield class raised from 345 to 355 MPa to align with international S355 practice. It is now the standard Chinese HSLA for structures, machinery and pipe.
Standards: DIN S355J2 (near) · AISI A572 Gr.50 (near) · JIS SM490B (near) · GB Q355B (GB/T 1591)
Chemical composition compared (%)
| Element | S355NL | Q355B |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤0.18 | ≤0.24 |
| Si | ≤0.50 | ≤0.55 |
| Mn | 0.90–1.65 | ≤1.60 |
| P | ≤0.025 | ≤0.035 |
| S | ≤0.020 | ≤0.035 |
| Nb | ≤0.05 | — |
| V | ≤0.12 | — |
| Al | ≥0.02 | — |
| Cr | ≤0.30 | — |
| Ni | ≤0.50 | — |
| Cu | ≤0.55 | — |
| CEV | ≤0.43 | — |
Properties compared
| Property | S355NL | Q355B |
|---|---|---|
| Yield strength | ≥355 MPa (≤16 mm) | ≥355 MPa (≤16 mm) |
| Tensile strength | 470–630 MPa | 470–630 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥22% | — |
| Impact toughness | 27 J at −50 °C | — |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Impact | — | B grade: 34 J at 20 °C |
Sourcing either grade?
Nasteel stocks both families from Shenzhen with EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates by heat number.
Ask for a quotationSee full data sheets: S355NL · Q355B. Substitution decisions for certified parts stay with the design authority.