Black Steel
ULAMEX is a wholesale supplier of black steel products for construction, industrial manufacturing and infrastructure projects across Europe. Our stock includes hot rolled structural steel in grades S235JR, S275JR and S355J2 — available as sections and beams, rods and bars and sheet and plate. All products comply with EN 10025-2 with mill test certificate 3.1 available on request.
Structural Steel for Industry and Construction
Black steel, also referred to as hot rolled steel or mild steel, is the most widely used material in structural and mechanical engineering. Its characteristic dark surface — formed by mill scale during the hot rolling process — gives it the name "black steel." With yield strengths ranging from 235 to 355 MPa, structural steel grades per EN 10025-2 are suitable for load-bearing frameworks, industrial halls, bridges, machinery bases and general fabrication.
ULAMEX supplies a comprehensive range of black steel semi-finished products from stock. Our product portfolio covers three main categories: structural sections (IPE, HEB, HEA, UPN, angles, T-sections and channels), steel bars (round, flat, square and hexagonal) and steel sheet and plate (hot rolled and checker plate). Standard lengths of 6,000 and 12,000 mm are available for long products, while sheet and plate formats range from 1000x2000 to 2500x12000 mm.
All steel products are manufactured to European standards and supplied in weldable, non-alloy structural grades. The most common grade S235JR (material number 1.0038, formerly known as St37 or ASTM A36 equivalent) offers excellent weldability and is suitable for general construction. For applications requiring higher strength, we supply S355J2 (1.0577, formerly St52 / 18G2A) with a minimum yield strength of 355 MPa and guaranteed impact toughness at -20 degrees Celsius.
As an EN 1090 certified steel distributor with over 38 years of market experience, ULAMEX provides reliable supply across Europe. We offer cut-to-size processing, competitive wholesale conditions and mill test certificate 3.1 available on request for full material traceability. Whether you need a single beam or a full project shipment — contact our team for a non-binding quotation.
| Grade | Mat. No. | Old designations | Yield Re [MPa] | Tensile Rm [MPa] | Impact test | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S235JR | 1.0038 | St37-2St3SA36 (approx.) | min. 235 | 360–510 | 27J at +20 C | EN 10025-2 |
| S235J0 | 1.0114 | St37-3U—— | min. 235 | 360–510 | 27J at 0 C | EN 10025-2 |
| S235J2 | 1.0117 | St37-3N—— | min. 235 | 360–510 | 27J at -20 C | EN 10025-2 |
| S275JR | 1.0044 | St44-2St4S— | min. 275 | 410–560 | 27J at +20 C | EN 10025-2 |
| S275J0 | 1.0143 | St44-3U—— | min. 275 | 410–560 | 27J at 0 C | EN 10025-2 |
| S275J2 | 1.0145 | St44-3N—— | min. 275 | 410–560 | 27J at -20 C | EN 10025-2 |
| S355JR | 1.0045 | St52-3U—— | min. 355 | 470–630 | 27J at +20 C | EN 10025-2 |
| S355J0 | 1.0553 | St52-3U—— | min. 355 | 470–630 | 27J at 0 C | EN 10025-2 |
| S355J2 | 1.0577 | St52-3N18G2AA572 Gr.50 (approx.) | min. 355 | 470–630 | 27J at -20 C | EN 10025-2 |
| S355K2 | 1.0596 | St52-3N—— | min. 355 | 470–630 | 40J at -20 C | EN 10025-2 |
Steel Grades — EN 10025-2 Overview
Why Source Steel from ULAMEX
Since 1988 — over 38 years of experience in the European steel trade
EN 1090 | ISO 3834 | CE — certified quality management and production control
Europe-wide delivery — own logistics and transport partnerships across the EU
Available from stock — standard sections, bars and sheet ready for dispatch
Mill test certificate 3.1 on request — batch-traceable documentation per EN 10204
Personal consultation — dedicated export team for B2B customers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between S235JR and S355J2?
S235JR (1.0038) is a general-purpose structural steel with a minimum yield strength of 235 MPa. S355J2 (1.0577) offers higher strength at 355 MPa and improved impact toughness guaranteed at -20 degrees Celsius. S235JR is more commonly used for light structures and general fabrication, while S355J2 is preferred for heavy-duty load-bearing applications, bridges and industrial construction.
What does the old designation St37 or St52 correspond to?
St37 is the former German designation for S235JR (material number 1.0038). St52 corresponds to S355J2 (1.0577). In Polish standards, S235JR was known as St3S and S355J2 as 18G2A. The US equivalent of S235JR is approximately ASTM A36, while S355J2 corresponds roughly to ASTM A572 Grade 50.
Is black steel weldable?
Yes. All structural steel grades per EN 10025-2 supplied by ULAMEX are weldable. S235JR has the best weldability due to its low carbon content (max. 0.17%). S355J2 is also fully weldable but may require preheating for thicker sections above 25 mm. We recommend following EN 1011 welding guidelines.
What do the designations JR, J0 and J2 mean?
These suffixes indicate the Charpy V-notch impact test temperature at which the steel guarantees minimum 27 joules of impact energy. JR = +20 C (room temperature), J0 = 0 C, J2 = -20 C. For outdoor structures or cold environments, J2 grades provide the best low-temperature toughness.
Does ULAMEX supply steel with mill test certificate 3.1?
Yes. ULAMEX offers mill test certificate 3.1 (Werksprüfzeugnis per EN 10204 type 3.1) on request, confirming chemical composition, mechanical properties and compliance with the relevant standard. As each certificate is batch-traceable and individually assigned per shipment, it must be specified when placing the order. This is standard practice for structural steel destined for CE-marked construction.
What is the difference between hot rolled and cold rolled steel?
Hot rolled steel is formed at temperatures above 900 C, resulting in a dark mill scale surface and wider dimensional tolerances. Cold rolled steel is processed at room temperature, producing a smoother surface, tighter tolerances and higher hardness. ULAMEX supplies primarily hot rolled (black) steel in structural grades. For precision applications, cold drawn bright bars are available on request.
What steel grades per EN 10025 are available at ULAMEX?
ULAMEX stocks structural steel in grades S235JR, S235J2, S275JR, S355J2 and S355K2 as standard. These grades are available across our full product range — sections, bars and sheet. Other grades from the EN 10025 family (including S275J2, S355J0) are available on request.
Does ULAMEX offer steel cut-to-size?
Yes. We offer cutting services for all black steel products — beams, bars, sheet and plate. Sawing, flame cutting and shearing are available depending on the product type and dimensions. Request a quote with your required lengths and quantities.
Request a Quote for Black Steel
Looking for structural steel products? ULAMEX provides non-binding quotations with current availability and delivery times. Contact our export team by phone, email or through the inquiry form — we respond within one business day.
For grades and sections in detail, see our guides to structural steel S235JR, S275JR and S355J2 and EN 10219 hollow sections.
New to these products? Our guides explain black steel and its properties, steel angle grades and sizes, and structural steel sections and how to choose them.
Related guides: metal cutting and bending tools, steel storage and shelter structures and CE marking and EN 1090 for steel structures.
See also our guide to how to calculate metal weight.
See also our guide to aluminium versus steel.
For the full range, certification and quote process, see steel and aluminium supply capabilities.
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