These are nominal equivalentsto help you read a supplier's paperwork — not exact substitutes. Chemistry, tolerances, and testing rules differ between standards. Always design to the specified grade and verify the delivered steel against its mill certificate.
Carbon & structural steel
Common hot-rolled structural grades used for sections, plate, and general fabrication.
| GB (China) | ASTM (US) | EN (Europe) | JIS (Japan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q235B | A36 / A283 Gr C | S235JR (1.0038) | SS400 |
| Q345B | A572 Gr 50 | S355JR (1.0045) | SM490 |
| Q355B | A572 Gr 50 | S355J2 (1.0577) | SM490A |
| Q195 | A1011 (low carbon) | S185 | SPHC |
| Q460C | A572 Gr 65 | S460N | SM570 |
Reinforcing bar (rebar)
Deformed bar grades. Yield strength classes are broadly comparable but detailing rules differ.
| GB (China) | ASTM (US) | EN / BS | JIS (Japan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HRB335 | A615 Gr 40 | B500A | SD295 |
| HRB400 | A615 Gr 60 | B500B (BS 4449) | SD390 |
| HRB500 | A615 Gr 75 | B500C | SD490 |
Stainless steel
Austenitic stainless grades by common designation.
| GB (China) | AISI / ASTM | EN (Europe) | JIS (Japan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06Cr19Ni10 | 304 | 1.4301 | SUS304 |
| 022Cr19Ni10 | 304L | 1.4307 | SUS304L |
| 06Cr17Ni12Mo2 | 316 | 1.4401 | SUS316 |
| 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 | 316L | 1.4404 | SUS316L |
Pressure-vessel & boiler plate
Grades for pressure equipment where certification matters most.
| GB (China) | ASTM (US) | EN (Europe) | JIS (Japan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q245R | A516 Gr 60 | P265GH (1.0425) | SB410 |
| Q345R | A516 Gr 70 | P355GH (1.0473) | SB450 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the ASTM equivalent of Q235 steel?
Q235 is broadly equivalent to ASTM A36 for general structural use — both are mild carbon steels with similar yield strength around 235 MPa. They are nominal equivalents, not identical: chemistry, tolerances, and impact testing requirements differ, so always design to the actual grade specified and verify the mill certificate.
What is the equivalent of S355 in Chinese steel?
S355 (EN) corresponds most closely to Q345 or Q355 in the Chinese GB system and to ASTM A572 Grade 50 in the US system. These are high-strength low-alloy structural grades with yield strength around 345–355 MPa.
Are these grade equivalents exact?
No. Cross-reference tables show the nearest comparable grade, but chemistry, mechanical property ranges, tolerances, and testing regimes vary between standards. Never substitute one grade for another without an engineer confirming it meets the design and code requirements — and always verify the delivered material against its mill test certificate.
Why does grade matter for fraud?
Grade substitution — supplying a cheaper, lower-strength grade against a certificate for a higher one — is one of the most common and dangerous steel scams, because it is invisible without testing and can cause structural failure. Positive Material Identification (PMI) and independent testing are the defence.
Getting the wrong grade is a scam, not a mistake
See how grade substitution works and how PMI testing catches it.