Overview
Q195 Carbon Steel is a low-carbon structural steel grade specified under the Chinese standard GB/T 700. It is characterized by excellent formability, good weldability, low cost, and ease of fabrication.
Q195 is equivalent in performance to international grades such as SAE 1008, SAE 1010, SPCC, and EN DC01, making it one of the most commonly used carbon steels for sheet metal fabrication, cold forming, welded structures, hardware manufacturing, and general engineering applications.
Due to its low carbon content, Q195 offers superior ductility and forming performance but lower strength compared with Q235 and Q345 structural steels.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | Q195 |
| Standard | GB/T 700 |
| Material Family | Low Carbon Steel |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Magnetic Property | Magnetic |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Plate, Coil, Tube, Pipe, Wire Rod |
Chemical Composition
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
| Carbon (C) | ≤0.12 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤0.50 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤0.30 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.050 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.045 |
The low carbon content provides excellent cold-forming and welding performance.
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 315–430 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ≥195 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥33% |
| Hardness | ≤120 HB |
| Elastic Modulus | 200 GPa |
Strength Comparison
| Material | Yield Strength |
|---|---|
| Q195 | 195 MPa |
| Q215 | 215 MPa |
| Q235 | 235 MPa |
| Q345 | 345 MPa |
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1460–1520°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 50 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.16 μΩ·m |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient | 11.7 × 10⁻⁶/K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 486 J/kg·K |
Corrosion Resistance
| Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Indoor Environment | Moderate |
| Dry Atmosphere | Good |
| Industrial Environment | Poor |
| Humid Environment | Poor |
| Outdoor Exposure | Poor |
| Marine Environment | Very Poor |
Q195 is not corrosion resistant and typically requires protective surface treatments such as:
- Galvanizing
- Powder Coating
- Painting
- Zinc Plating
- Nickel Plating
- Electrophoretic Coating
Weldability
| Welding Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| MIG Welding | Excellent |
| TIG Welding | Excellent |
| Spot Welding | Excellent |
| Resistance Welding | Excellent |
| Arc Welding | Excellent |
The low carbon content minimizes the risk of cracking during welding.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| GB/T (China) | Q195 |
| ASTM (USA) | SAE 1008 / SAE 1010 |
| JIS (Japan) | SPCC |
| EN (Europe) | DC01 |
| DIN (Germany) | St12 |
| ISO | CR1 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Cold Rolled Sheet | Yes |
| Hot Rolled Sheet | Yes |
| Steel Plate | Yes |
| Steel Coil | Yes |
| Wire Rod | Yes |
| Welded Tube | Yes |
| Structural Profiles | Yes |
Typical Applications
Sheet Metal Fabrication
- Electrical Enclosures
- Control Cabinets
- Brackets
- Covers
- Chassis
Hardware Manufacturing
- Hinges
- Fasteners
- Clamps
- Furniture Hardware
- General Hardware
Construction Industry
- Light Structural Components
- Steel Frames
- Temporary Structures
- Support Brackets
Appliance Industry
- Refrigerator Panels
- Washing Machine Components
- Air Conditioner Parts
- Electrical Appliance Housings
Automotive Industry
- Interior Components
- Stamped Parts
- Reinforcement Brackets
- Sheet Metal Assemblies
Tube & Pipe Industry
- Furniture Tubes
- Mechanical Tubes
- Decorative Tubes
- Welded Pipes
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Laser Cutting | Excellent |
| CNC Punching | Excellent |
| Stamping | Outstanding |
| Deep Drawing | Outstanding |
| Bending | Excellent |
| Roll Forming | Excellent |
| Welding | Outstanding |
| Powder Coating | Excellent |
| Galvanizing | Excellent |
Advantages
Excellent Formability
Ideal for stamping, bending, and deep drawing.
Outstanding Weldability
Compatible with all common welding methods.
Cost Effective
One of the lowest-cost engineering steels.
Easy Surface Treatment
Suitable for galvanizing, painting, and plating.
Wide Availability
Readily available worldwide.
Suitable for Mass Production
Ideal for high-volume manufacturing.
Limitations
Low Strength
Not suitable for high-load structural applications.
Poor Corrosion Resistance
Requires surface protection for outdoor use.
Not Heat Treatable
Mechanical properties cannot be significantly improved through heat treatment.
Limited Wear Resistance
Not suitable for abrasive environments.
Comparison with Other Carbon Steels
| Property | Q195 | Q235 | Q345 | SAE 1010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yield Strength | 195 MPa | 235 MPa | 345 MPa | 180–210 MPa |
| Formability | Outstanding | Excellent | Good | Outstanding |
| Weldability | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Cost | Lowest | Low | Medium | Low |
| Structural Use | Limited | Common | Heavy Duty | Limited |
Comparison with Engineering Materials
| Material | Yield Strength | Corrosion Resistance | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q195 | 195 MPa | Poor | Very Low |
| Q235 | 235 MPa | Poor | Low |
| Q345 | 345 MPa | Poor | Medium |
| SS304 | 205 MPa | Excellent | High |
| Aluminum 5052 | 193 MPa | Excellent | High |
| Galvanized Steel | 195 MPa | Good | Medium |
Available Surface Finishes
Raw Finishes
- Hot Rolled Finish
- Cold Rolled Finish
- Pickled Finish
Protective Finishes
- Hot-Dip Galvanizing
- Electro Galvanizing
- Zinc Plating
- Nickel Plating
- Chrome Plating
Decorative Finishes
- Powder Coating
- Painting
- Electrophoretic Coating (E-Coating)
- Silk Screen Printing
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Q195 steel?
Q195 is a low-carbon structural steel under GB/T 700 with excellent formability, weldability, and economical pricing.
What is Q195 used for?
Typical applications include:
- Sheet Metal Parts
- Hardware Components
- Electrical Enclosures
- Furniture Tubes
- Appliance Components
- Light Structural Parts
What is the difference between Q195 and Q235?
| Property | Q195 | Q235 |
|---|---|---|
| Yield Strength | 195 MPa | 235 MPa |
| Formability | Better | Slightly Lower |
| Strength | Lower | Higher |
| Cost | Lower | Slightly Higher |
Is Q195 easy to weld?
Yes. Q195 is one of the easiest carbon steels to weld due to its low carbon content.
Can Q195 be galvanized?
Yes. Q195 is commonly hot-dip galvanized or electro-galvanized for corrosion protection.
Is Q195 suitable for outdoor use?
Only after protective surface treatment such as galvanizing or powder coating.
Is Q195 equivalent to SAE 1010?
Yes. Q195 is generally comparable to SAE 1008–1010 and EN DC01 in terms of mechanical properties and applications.
Can Q195 be used for structural applications?
It can be used for light-duty structural applications, but Q235 or Q345 are preferred for higher load-bearing structures.
Why is Q195 widely used in sheet metal fabrication?
Because it combines:
- Excellent Formability
- Outstanding Weldability
- Low Material Cost
- Easy Surface Finishing
making it ideal for mass-produced sheet metal components.
Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for Q195?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- Laser Cutting
- CNC Punching
- Sheet Metal Fabrication
- Stamping
- Deep Drawing
- Welding
- Powder Coating
- Galvanizing
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production