GB700-88

National Standard of the PRC

UDC 669.14
.018.29
GB 70088

Carbon structural steels

Substituted for GB 70079

_____________________________________________________________________
This standard is adopted with reference to ISO 630 Structural steel.

1 Scope

This standard specifies the technical conditions of carbon structural steel.

This standard covers plain structural steel and hot-rolled steel plate, steel strip, profile
steel and bar steel which can be used, normally in the supply conditions, for the
welded, riveted, bolted structures.

The chemical composition specified in this standard is applicable to steel ingots

(including continuous cast slabs), steel slabs and their finished products.

2. Referenced Documents

GB 222 Sampling procedures for chemical analysis of steel and tolerance of

chemical composition of finished products
GB 223 Chemical analytic method of iron and steel and their alloys
GB 228 Procedures for tensile test of metals
GB 232 Procedures for bending test of metals
GB 247 General rules for acceptance, packaging, marking and certificate of quality
of steel plates and strips
GB 2101 General rules for acceptance, packing, marking and certificate of quality
of profile steel
GB 2106 Procedures for charpy (V notch) impact test of metals
GB 2975 Rules for sampling for tests of mechanical and process properties of steel
products
GB 4159 Procedures for low-temperature charpy test of metals
GB 6397 Specimen for tensile test of metals

3. Method, Code and Symbol Used for Representation of Designation

3.1 Method for the Representation of Designation

The steel designation is composed of the four parts , i.e. the letter representing the
yield point, value of yield point, symbol of quality grade and symbol of deoxidizing
method, e.g. Q235-AF

Issued on June 11, 1988 Executed from October 1, 1988

Issued by Ministry of Metallurgical Industry of China
 GB700-88

3.2 Symbols

Q the initial letter of the Chinese character qu of yield point of steel product;
A, B, C, D quality grades;
F the initial letter of the Chinese character fei of rimming steel;
b the initial letter of the Chinese character ban of semi-killed steel;
Z the initial letter of the Chinese character zhen of killed steel;
TZ the initial letter of the two Chinese characters te zhen of special killed steel.

In the representation method for the make-up of the designation, the symbols Z and
TZ are omitted.
4. Dimensions Shape Weight and Tolerance

The dimensions shape weight and tolerance of the steel products shall comply with
the stipulations of the corresponding standard.

5. Technical Requirements

5.1 Designation and Chemical Composition

5.1.1 The designation and chemical composition (melting analysis) shall comply with
the stipulations of Table 1.

Table 1
Chemical Composition, %
Designation Grade Si S P Deoxidizing Method
C Mn
Not large than
Q195 0.06~0.12 0.25~0.50 0.30 0.050 0.045 F,b,Z
A 0.050
Q215 0.09~0.15 0.25~0.55 0.30 0.045 F,b,Z
B 0.045
1)
A 0.14~0.22 0.30~0.65 0.050
0.045 F,b,Z
B 0.12~0.20 0.30~0.701) 0.045
Q235 0.30.
C 0.18 0.40 0.040 Z
0.35~0.80
D 0.17 0.035 0.035 TZ
A 0.050
Q255 0.18~0.28 0.40~0.70 0.30 0.045 F,b,Z
B 0.045
Q275 0.28~0.38 0.50~0.80 0.35 0.050 0.045 b,Z
Note: 1) The upper limit of the manganese content in Q235 Grades A, B rimming
steel shall be 0.60%.

5.1.1.1 The silicon content in rimming steel shall not be more than 0.07%. The
silicon content in semi-killed steel shall not be more than 0.17%. The low
limit value of the silicon content in killed steel shall be 0.12%.

5.1.1.2 Grade D steel shall contain enough element which forms the fine-grained
structure, e.g. not less than 0.015% acid-soluble aluminum content or not less
than 0.020% total aluminum content in the steel.

5.1.1.3 The content of the residual elements chromium, nickel and copper in the steel
shall not be more than 0.30% respectively. The nitrogen content in the
oxygen converter steel shall not be more than 0.008%. The analysis of the
above elements may be omitted if the supplier can guarantee.

When agreed by the buyer, the copper content in Grade A steel may be no more than
Issued on June 11, 1988 Executed from October 1, 1988
Issued by Ministry of Metallurgical Industry of China
 GB700-88

0.35%. Then the supplier shall carry out the analysis of the copper content and
indicate the copper content in the certificate of quality.

5.1.1.4 The residual content of arsenic in the steel shall not be larger than 0.080%.
For the steel which is made by use of the pig iron smelted from the
arsenic-containing ore, the arsenic content shall be agreed upon by the
supplier and the buyer. If no arsenic is contained in the raw materials, the
analysis of the arsenic content in steel may be omitted.

5.1.1.5 On condition that the mechanical properties of the steel products are
guaranteed to comply with the stipulation of this standard, the carbon and
manganese content in Grade A steel of individual designations and the low
limit of the carbon and manganese content in the other grades of steel of
individual designations are allowed not to form the condition of delivery but
the content (melting analysis) shall be noted in the certificate of quality.

5.1.1.6 When supplying the commercial steel ingots (including continuous cast slabs),
steel slabs, the supplier shall guarantee that the chemical composition
(melting analysis) complies with the stipulation of Table 1. However, in
order to guarantee the different properties of the rolled steel products to meet
the requirements of this standard, the chemical composition of Grades A, B
steel of individual designations may be properly adjusted according to the
requirements of the buyer provided that another agreement is signed.

5.1.2 The tolerance of the chemical composition of the finished steel products and
commercial steel slabs shall comply with the stipulations in Table 1 of GB 222.

The tolerances of the chemical composition of the finished steel products and
commercial steel slabs of rimming steel are not to be guaranteed.

5.2 Melting Process

The steel is melted by means of the oxygen converter, open-hearth furnace or

electrical furnace. Unless the buyer has special requirements and those special
requirements are noted in the contract, the melting process is normally decided by the
supplier himself.

5.3 Delivery Condition

The steel product is normally delivered as hot rolled (including control rolled).
Based on the requirements of the buyer and the agreement between the two sides, it
may be delivered in the normalized condition (except for Grade A steel product).

5.4 Mechanical Properties

5.4.1 The tensile and impact tests of the steel product shall comply with Table 2.
The bending test shall comply with Table 3.

Issued on June 11, 1988 Executed from October 1, 1988

Issued by Ministry of Metallurgical Industry of China
 GB700-88

Table 2
Tensile test Impact test
Yield point s, N/mm2 Elongation 5, % V-type
impact
Thickness (diameter) of steel product, Thickness (diameter) of steel product, Temp work
Desig mm Tensile mm eratu (longit
Gra strength
natio re udinal)
de
n 16~ 40~ 60~ 100~ b, 16~ 40~ 60~ 100~
16 150 16 150
40 60 100 150 N/mm2 40 60 100 150 J
Not
Not less than Not less than less
than
Q195 (195) (185) 315~430 33 32
A
Q215 215 205 195 185 175 165 335~450 31 30 29 28 27 26
B 20 27
A
B 20
Q235 235 225 215 205 195 185 375~500 26 25 24 23 22 21
C 0 27
D -20
A
Q255 255 245 235 225 215 205 410~550 24 23 22 21 20 19
B 20 27
Q275 275 265 255 245 235 225 490~630 20 19 18 17 16 15

Table 3
Cold bending test =2108o
Direction of Thickness (diameter) of steel product, mm
Designation
specimen 60 60~100 100~200
Diameter of bending center d
Longitudinal 0
Q195
Lateral 0.5
Longitudinal 0.5 1.5 2
Q215
Lateral 2 2.5
Longitudinal 2 2.5
Q235
Lateral 1.5 2.5 3
Q255 2 3 3.5
Q275 3 4 4.5
Note: is the width of specimen, is thickness (diameter) of steel product.

5.4.1.1 The yield point is of Q195 only for reference, not for the condition of delivery.

5.4.1.2 For tensile and bending tests, the lateral specimen shall be taken from the steel
plate and the steel strip with the elongation being decreased by 1% (absolute
value) as compared with Table 2. The longitudinal specimen shall be taken
from the profile steel.

5.4.1.3 The bending test for Grade A steel of individual designations shall be
performed only at the request of the buyer. When the cold bending test has
been passed, the upper limit of tensile strength may not be used as the
condition of delivery.

5.4.2 The charpy (V-type notch) impact test shall comply with Table 2.

5.4.2.1 The charpy (V-type notch) impact work value shall be calculated on the basis
of the arithmetic mean value of the single value of a group of three specimens.
The single value of one of the three specimens is permitted to be less than the
specified value, but not less than 70% of the specified value.

5.4.2.2 When the small-size specimen of 5 mm x 10 mm x 55 mm is used to perform

the impact test, the result of the test shall not be less than 50% of the specified
value.

Issued on June 11, 1988 Executed from October 1, 1988

Issued by Ministry of Metallurgical Industry of China
 GB700-88

5.4.3 For the Grade B steel products of individual designations rolled by use of
rimming steel, the thickness (diameter) shall not be more than 25 mm in
general.

5.5 Surface Quality

The surface quality of the steel products shall comply with the stipulations of relevant
standards.

6. Test Procedures

6.1 The inspection item, sampling number, sampling procedures and test procedures of each lot of
steel products shall comply with Table 4.

Table 4
Sampling
No. Inspection item Sampling number, piece Test procedures
procedure
GB 223.1~223.5
GB 223.~223.12
1 GB223.18~223.19
1 Chemical analysis GB 222
(each heat number) GB223.23~223.24
GB223.31~223.32
GB223.36
2 Tensile test GB228, GB6397
1
3 Cold bending test GB232
Impact test at high
4 GB 2975 GB2106
temperature
3
Impact test at low
5 GB4159
temperature

6.1.1 To perform the cold bending test of the steel product with the thickness or
diameter more than 20 mm, the specimen shall be shaped on one side to make
the thickness reach 20 mm. The diameter of bending center shall comply with
Table 3. During the test, the un-machined side shall be placed outside. If the
specimen is not shaped, the diameter of bending center shall be increased by the
thickness of a specimen a as compared with the value given in Table 3.

6.1.2 The longitudinal axis of the impact specimen shall be parallel to the rolling
direction.

6.1.3 For the impact test of the steel plate, steel strip and profile steel with the
thickness of not less than 12 mm or the bar steel with the diameter of not less
than 16 mm, the specimen of 10 mm x 10 mm x 55 mm shall be used. For the
impact test of the steel plate, steel strip and profile steel with the thickness
ranging from 6 mm to less than 12 mm or the bar steel with the diameter
ranging from 12 mm to less than 16 mm, the small-size specimen of 5 mm x 10
mm x 55 mm shall be used. A rolled face can be reserved on the impact
specimen.

7. Rules for Inspection

7.1 The steel products shall be inspected and accepted by the technology supervision
department.

7.2 The steel products shall be accepted in lots. Each lot shall be composed of the
Issued on June 11, 1988 Executed from October 1, 1988
Issued by Ministry of Metallurgical Industry of China
 GB700-88

same designation, the same heat number, the same grade, the same variety, the
same size and the same delivery condition. The weight of each lot shall not
exceed 60 t.

For the steel made by use of the steel melting furnace with the nominal capacity of
less than 30 t or the steel product rolled from the continuous cast slab, it is permitted
that a mixed lot is composed of Grade A steel or Grade B steel of the same
designation by the small melting and pouring process and with different heat numbers.
However, each lot shall not consist of more than six heat number. The differences of
the carbon content and the manganese content between different heat numbers shall
not exceed 0.02% and 0.15% respectively.

7.3 When the results of the charpy (V-type notch) impact test of the steel product do
not comply with the corresponding stipulation of item 5.4.2, a group of three
specimens shall be taken from the same lot of steel products to carry out the test
again.

The average value of the first and latter six specimens shall not be lower than the
specified value. However, the values of two specimens are allowed to be lower than
the specified value. Of the two specimens, only one specimen, of which the value is
lower than 70% of the specified value, shall be allowed.

7.4 The rules for the retest and acceptance of the other inspection items of the steel
products shall comply with the stipulations of GB 247 and GB 2101.

8. Packaging, Marking and Certificate of Quality

The packaging, marking and certificate of quality shall comply with the stipulations of
GB 247 and GB 2101.

Issued on June 11, 1988 Executed from October 1, 1988

Issued by Ministry of Metallurgical Industry of China
 GB700-88

Comparison of Designations between New and Old GB 700 Standard

(Document for Reference)

A.1 The representation method of the designation and the technical requirements for
individual designations in GB 700-88 are different from those in GB 700-79.
The new and old designations are compared as follows for reference.

GB 700-88 GB 700-79
Q195 It is not graded. The chemical composition and No.1 steel
mechanical properties (tensile strength, The chemical composition of Q195 is the same as
elongation, and cold bending) need to be that of Class B steel B1 of No.1 steel in this
guaranteed. However, for the products, such as, standard. Mechanical properties (tensile strength,
the rolled sheet and the coil rod and the like, elongation and cold bending) are the same as those
guaranteed items of mechanical properties may of Class A steel A1 (The cold bending test of A1 is an
be stipulated separately in the relevant additional guaranteed condition). No.1 steel has no
standards, according to the characteristics and special class steel.
requirements of usage of the products.
Q215 Grade A A2
Grade B (Perform the normal temperature C2
impact test, Type V notch)
Q235 Grade A (No impact test) A3 (Additionally guarantee the normal temperature
impact test, Type U notch)
Grade B (Perform the normal temperature C3 (Additionally guarantee the normal temperature or
impact test, Type V notch) -20 impact test, Type U notch)
Grade C (used as the important
Grade D welded structure)
Q255 Grade A A4
Grade B (Perform the normal temperature C4 (Additionally guarantee the impact test, Type U
impact test, Type V notch) notch)
Q275 It is not graded. The chemical composition and C5
mechanical properties need to be guaranteed.

_____________________________

Additional Description:

The Information & Standard Research Institute under the Ministry of Metallurgical
Industry puts forward this standard

Shanghai No.3 Iron and Steel Works and the Information & Standard Research
Institute under the Ministry of metallurgical Industry are in charge of drawing up this
standard.

The major drafters of this standard are Wang Hansheng and Tang Yifan.

From October 1, 1991, the original national standard GB 700-79 Technical

Stipulations for Common Carbon Structural Steels is invalid.

The level mark of this standard is GB 700-88 I

Issued on June 11, 1988 Executed from October 1, 1988

Issued by Ministry of Metallurgical Industry of China