General Engineering and Structural Steel
General engineering and structural steel forms the backbone of countless industrial and construction applications. These steels are typically alloyed with carbon and manganese, with some variants incorporating microalloying elements to refine grain structure and enhance mechanical performance. Their versatility, cost-efficiency, and consistent properties make them a trusted choice for a wide range of machine parts, frameworks, and structural elements.
At Midland Special Steels, we supply high-quality general engineering and structural steel grades that are suitable for machining, welding, and fabrication in demanding applications. These materials are relied upon in everything from heavy machinery and automotive components to civil infrastructure, plant equipment, and hydraulic systems. Their dependable mechanical characteristics and widespread availability make them a staple in engineering workshops and production environments across the UK.
These steels offer a practical balance of strength, toughness, and formability, which is why they are commonly chosen as the material of choice for parts that do not require high alloy content or extreme heat treatment performance. Their relatively simple chemistry also translates to excellent weldability and machinability, especially in the as-rolled or normalised conditions. With good dimensional stability and predictable behaviour during cutting and forming, these steels support efficient and cost-effective manufacturing.
One of the key applications for our general engineering steels is as the base material for our hard chrome plated bar range. These bars are surface-treated to offer enhanced wear resistance, corrosion protection, and smoother performance in hydraulic and pneumatic systems. The steel beneath the chrome is just as important as the plating itself — it must offer the right combination of strength, straightness, and machinability to ensure long-term reliability. The structural steel grades we use provide that foundation.
General Engineering and Structural Steel
| EN-standard | Ovako | Comments | C | Si | Mn | Cr | Mo | Ni | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C15 | 8362 | Steel suitable for cold drawing | 0.15 | 0.2 | 0.5 | ||||
| C22 | C22R | Steel for mechanical engineering and automotive components. | 0.21 | 0.2 | 0.6 | ||||
| C35 | 8563 | Medium carbon steel for machinery parts | 0.35 | 0.2 | 0.6 | ||||
| C40 | C40R | Suitable for surface induction hardening to 600 HV | 0.40 | 0.2 | 0.7 | ||||
| C45 | 047, 5155, 1672 | Suitable for surface induction hardening to 630 HV | 0.40 | 0.2 | 0.7 | ||||
| C55 | 056, 8665 | Suitable for surface induction hardening to 660 HV | 0.55 | 0.2 | 0.8 | ||||
| C60 | 061A | Used for mechanical engineering and automotive components. Suitable for surface induction hardening to 700 HV | 0.60 | 0.2 | 0.8 | ||||
| 5235J2 | 1312 | A low carbon, high tensile strength structural steel which is suitable for welding and cold-forming properties | 0.17 | 0.3 | 1.2 | ||||
| S235JR | 1412 | A low carbon, high tensile strength structural steel which can be used for welding. | 0.18 | 0.3 | 1.2 | ||||
| S355J2 | 520, 9817 | A general construction steel suitable for welded or non-welded construction of shafts with medium strength requirements | 0.20 | 0.3 | 1.2 | ||||
| P355NH | 2714 | A pressure vessel steel grade with 355 MPa yield limit and high toughness | 0.14 | 0.3 | 1.2 | ||||
| 19MnVS6 | 7255, SB280 | Micro-alloyed steel with high tensile strength. good machinabilty and weldability | 0.19 | 0.4 | 1.5 | V | |||
| 19MnV6* | 280 | Reduced sulfur variant 19MnVS6 | 0.19 | 0.4 | 1.5 | V | |||
| 30MnVS6 | 9830 | Micro-alloyed cold heading steel. Used for short- and long-shaft ball points, threaded and heavy duty anchor bolts. | 0.30 | 0.5 | 1.4 | V | |||
| 38MnVS6 | 482, 7221 | Micro-alloyed high strength steel suitable for surface induction hardening | 0.38 | 0.4 | 1.3 | V | |||
| 46MnVS3 | 382 | Micro-alloyed high strength steel suitable for surface induction hardening | 0.46 | 0.3 | 0.7 | V | |||
| S400* | SB400 | General purpose micro-alloyed steel | 0.20 | 0.3 | 1.2 | V | |||
| S460 | 19MnVS6 | A weldable micro-alloyed steel suitable for offshore use | 0.20 | 0.2 | 1.3 | ||||
| 5550 | SB550 | A micro-alloyed steel with high yield strength and excellent cold-forming characteristics | 0.18 | 0.4 | 1.5 | V | |||
| 24MnV6* | SB600 | A high strength micro-alloyed steel for general purposes | 0.25 | 0.4 | 1.5 | V | |||
| 11SMn30 | 2715 | Also known as Green Cut. Lead-free cutting steel | 0.11 | 0.2 | 1.2 | S | |||
| 20Mns* | 2630 | Also known as Hydax 25. High temperature constructional weldable steel | 0.20 | 0.4 | 1.3 | S | |||
| 5355J0 | 2720 | Also known as Hydax 15. With an increase sulfur content for improved machinability | 0.16 | 0.4 | 1.3 | S | |||
| 4CrMn16-4* | 8301 | Also known as EL 700. High hardenability and high toughness. Suitable for gas/air hardening | 0.04 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 4.0 | No |
Another major application is in the Ovako 280 hollow bar programme, where structural steel is used to produce high-precision hollow stock for use in fluid power systems, mechanical components, and heavy equipment. Ovako 280 is a well-established steel family known for its quality, uniformity, and compatibility with a wide range of machining and finishing processes. These hollow bars are used when weight reduction, faster machining, or complex internal geometries are needed without sacrificing strength.
Our structural and engineering steels are available in a range of sizes, formats, and supply conditions, with options for cutting to length, grinding, heat treatment, and more. All stock is backed by full certification and traceability, ensuring consistent performance and compliance with quality standards. We work closely with engineers and buyers to select the correct grade and format for every application, whether it’s a one-off prototype or a large-scale production batch.
If you’re looking for reliable, high-quality general engineering or structural steels — either as raw material or as part of a processed solution like chrome-plated bar or hollow bar — Midland Special Steels is ready to deliver. With extensive stockholding, rapid turnaround, and technical expertise, we provide materials that support performance, durability, and production efficiency across every sector we serve.
